KN2000 won't load files from floppy disk

I am trying out a KN2000 that a friend is thinking of buying but am having problems with the floppy disks. The lady who is selling the keyboard said she has only ever used the disk drive to record sound tracks. When I try to load a disk I get the message "The data on the disk that you are using is for a different product." I have tried loading KN2000 style disks and also a midi file but get the same message. I read in the manual that I should use DD disks, but when I tried with these instead of HD disks, I got the same message as above. DD disks will not format in my computer but they did in the KN2000. I then loaded the KN2000 files and also a midi file from the computer onto the disk. The files show up on the computer but when I put the disk in the keyboard nothing shows on the screen for either the KN2000 files or the midi file. I thought that maybe the floppy drive was faulty but when I recorded into the sequencer it saved onto a HD floppy and the files also reloaded onto the keyboard without any problems. As my friend has to let the lady who is selling the keyboard know as soon possible any advice anyone is able to offer would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Sorry I left out a bit of information which may help - when I try to load the files I put on the DD disk I don't get any message as the keyboard doesn’t think there any files on the disk. I downloaded one of GJ/Jaap's KN2000 files from the Gigotaas site. The file showed up on the screen but when I tried to load it, back came my familiar message about the different product. Thanks again.

Hi Ann,

Have the files you copied from the computer been placed directly in the root directory of the floppy? If they have been copied to a folder in the root directory instead, the KN2000 will not find them.
I'm not familiar with the 2000 as my first Technics was a 3000 but the fact that you can reload files saved from this particular 2000 would seem to indicate that the floppy drive is probably OK. There is still the possibility of an alignment problem in the drive which causes errors when you try to load files saved on another drive but from your description it seems to that there is a file compatibility problem rather than a drive problem.

Cheers
Len C.

[This message has been edited by manorcourt1991 (edited 05-13-2005).]

Hi there - take a blank floppy and on the KN2000 in question just record something or SAVE something. Load it back and if that works, it will prove the drive is working OK. Joan

Hi

If I don't remember it totally wrong, the KN2000 uses 720 DD disks?
Could it be that you now use 1.44HD disks?

Also I seem to remember that if the KN2000 is not updatet, swapped
some "rom chips", it don't read midi format 0 files as direct play.

Description of how to format and save/load is to find at the KN1000
and KN2000 pages at my website.

Good luck
GJ

you can convert a HD disk to DD by taping over the hole (not the sliding protection hole but the fixed hole on the other side) and formatting in the KN2000. Since you have described saving and then loading from the KN2000 to disk in your post you have already proved there is nothing wrong with the disk drive or KN2000, the problem is with file format or more likely the copy. If copying genuine KN2000 format files (double check this) to the root of a DD KN2000 formatted floppy does not work, then it is possible the pc floppy drive or windows is too modern and you may need a win98 era machine (for both windows and floppy drive) or possibly try the copy in dos.

As always I knew I could rely on answer to my problem from Forum members. Thank you very much to Len, Joan, GJ and Alec who replied to my question. We have an older computer which uses Windows 98 and I have been able to copy the KN2000 disks through Dos so that they load on the keyboard.
This Forum really is a fantastic place where you always know that whatever question you ask, you will receive a lot of helpful advice. I have made so many new friends and learnt so much. Thank you all very much for always being there and also my sincere appreciation to Nigel as owner of the Fourm.

you're welcome, the KN2000 disk drive and software was from the early 1990's when an older dos was still current and this leads to problems with modern computers and hard drive file systems.

Where I Can Get The Update Or Software For My KN2000.

Thank you so much for being a member of the family here Ann. And being an Aussie myself it is especially nice to see some Kiwi keyboard players here.

Hello Alec
Sorry to squeeze in on another person's thread but it sounds as though it is resolved...
You may well have noticed that we are having a Technics keyboards get together in November in Cambridge.
As the 'King' of matters Technics I would be proud if you would consider opening the Convention and being our guest there. Plesae feel free to e-mail me seperately on RMepstead@btinternet.com about this request.
Roger M