#224906 - 04/02/06 02:35 AM
VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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airwalk
Space Cadet
Registered: 03/25/06
Posts: 1
Loc: USA
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Hey everyone! I've been following many posts on this board in the last week or so in anticipation for upgrading my VS-840 I recieved from eBay just two days ago. I am thrilled to say the upgrade to EX was a success!
I was very afraid of peforming the update because of the horror stories of getting BAD FLASH errors and the like. However, I noticed that when upgrading using Zip, the people who had the most success had version 1.05 already installed... and I did have that installed. Plus, my 840 had a AL serial number prefix and John444 had success upgrading from 1.05 to 2.05 with his AL serial number.
For everyone new to this, I'll try to describe all the details I can so you'll know what to expect...
I took a previously-used (i.e. didn't have to be new) Iomega Zip 100 disk and formatted & initalized it on the 840. This step is very important. Here's how to do it properly (it wasn't very obvious to me being new to the system):
1. Press Utility, select the Disk menu option.
2. Select the Initalize menu option.
3. Use the Time/Value dial to select Physical Format On.
4. Press Yes to start. It'll take a few minutes.
I then used my PC to transfer $SYSPRO2.VS1 to the newly formatted disk. I then inserted it into my 840, got the VersionUp? dialog. I hit [Yes], and the disk ejected, and hit [Yes] to the Are You Sure? question... the display showed SYSTEM WRITE. and counted to 15. I restarted it after getting the END!! message and sure enough I am now running on the EX firmware! It's that simple.
My serial number has the AL prefix.
I'd like to thank bert for providing the update file, and John444 for his exaustive info that really helped me out! Thanks guys!
Now, I'll be installing a IBM 2.1 GB hard drive soon... can't wait!
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#224907 - 04/02/06 03:04 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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jimmyrock
Department Head of Redundancy Department Head
Planeteer
Registered: 12/18/05
Posts: 11605
Loc: America's File Cabinet
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Good deal welcome aboard, my 840 has a ZK prefix and no go on the upgrade. Did you read about the CF card option as well? May be the way to go instead of hard drive if you ever want to easily move files to your PC for editting or other fun, the free BR8 converter program will turn your roland tracks into WAVs.....
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#224908 - 04/03/06 09:49 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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bert
Planeteer
Registered: 03/09/00
Posts: 1349
Loc: Parsippany, NJ
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Thanks for that post. Deffinitely helps others and gives a little insight to reason of why maybe sometimes these flash updates aren't working. Haven't looked yet, but wheres the location of these prefixes? AL and ZK
_________________________
https://soundcloud.com/bert-painter/tracksSongs written by my good friend Dave who past on. vocals - Dave guitar - Dave and Bert Bass - Bert Produced and Recorded - Bert Drums - Programmed so far
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#224909 - 04/04/06 12:41 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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jimmyrock
Department Head of Redundancy Department Head
Planeteer
Registered: 12/18/05
Posts: 11605
Loc: America's File Cabinet
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Bert, the serial numer was stamped right on the bottom of the machine on mine.
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#224910 - 04/06/06 02:23 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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Desoto
Planeteer
Registered: 12/02/03
Posts: 609
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Now, I'll be installing a IBM 2.1 GB hard drive soon... can't wait!
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#224911 - 04/14/06 07:24 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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.Timbo
Space Cadet
Registered: 11/02/04
Posts: 22
Loc: Florida
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So with the CF upgrade, can you just save a song onto your hard drive, then erase the CF card and make a new song?
In other words one disc, many songs?
_________________________
All-Right
DOT-Timbo
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#224912 - 04/14/06 07:30 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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Wish
🌴 VSP Moderator 🌵
Planeteer
Registered: 09/09/00
Posts: 14174
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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I haven't done the CF mod, but yes, that is my understanding. It gives you a great way to archive your older songs without having to have store them on multiple zip disks/CF cards and you can copy them back on the card if you want to work on it again.
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#224913 - 04/15/06 09:21 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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dhart
Planeteer
Registered: 12/19/01
Posts: 569
Loc: albany, ny
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One disk/ many songs, and faster/quieter access to the drive info than a zip (so no "drive busy" error when playing with multiple tracks). Also the 512 cards are pretty cheap and hold a heck of a lot of music (but check the compatibility list here for the different disc brands, as some don't seem to work for mysterious [nefarious?] reasons).
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#224914 - 04/15/06 11:23 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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bert
Planeteer
Registered: 03/09/00
Posts: 1349
Loc: Parsippany, NJ
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Yep. One song folder to copy and paste to PC for archiving and then, when ready, copy and paste back to CF card. Takes seconds.
Or use BR8 software and convert 840 tracks to wave and use a wave editor in pc(ex. Adobe Audition) to edit track/s and bring back in to 840 if you like by reversing from wave back to roland lanquage(r-dac) using Br8 again.
_________________________
https://soundcloud.com/bert-painter/tracksSongs written by my good friend Dave who past on. vocals - Dave guitar - Dave and Bert Bass - Bert Produced and Recorded - Bert Drums - Programmed so far
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#224915 - 10/26/07 08:51 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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Capone48048
Space Cadet
Registered: 10/26/07
Posts: 2
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Ok I have tried this EX upgrade on my plain old vs840. I have OS version 1.05. I formatted the disk with my vs840 and then dragged the EX OS onto the zip disk. When I put the zip into the vs840, it ask version up ? I click yes and it spits out the zip disk and asks are you sure, again I click yes. It begins to do the 15 second count then displays power off/power on.
Ok when I power back on and check my OS version it still reports as OS version 1.05 of the old vs840. My vs-840 does have the AL prefix on the serial number. Any clues ?
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#224916 - 10/27/07 02:25 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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dhart
Planeteer
Registered: 12/19/01
Posts: 569
Loc: albany, ny
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I think the problem is you need to upgrade to version 2.05 in order to then update to EX. If you put your email address on your profile I will email the 2.05 zip to you; I can email you via the planet but there's no attachment option I can see to tack the zipped file onto.
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#224917 - 10/27/07 02:36 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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dhart
Planeteer
Registered: 12/19/01
Posts: 569
Loc: albany, ny
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Or you can send me an email and I'll reply with the file.
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#224918 - 10/27/07 01:25 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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jimmyrock
Department Head of Redundancy Department Head
Planeteer
Registered: 12/18/05
Posts: 11605
Loc: America's File Cabinet
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I have the same old machine, couple thoughts, you need a special 2.05 OS made for zip disk, the one availbale on the web is for midi laoding...if the zips dont do it try the midi load method...
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#224919 - 10/27/07 06:32 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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dhart
Planeteer
Registered: 12/19/01
Posts: 569
Loc: albany, ny
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The version I have is the zip disc version.
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#224920 - 10/28/07 07:20 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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Capone48048
Space Cadet
Registered: 10/26/07
Posts: 2
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Ok Im waitinf for replies now thanx guys. Another question, can I partition a hard drive as 1gb for use with it or does it have to be a straight up 1gb hd ?
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#224921 - 10/31/07 02:42 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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dhart
Planeteer
Registered: 12/19/01
Posts: 569
Loc: albany, ny
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I sent you the OS upgrade zip file. Remember to put it on a 100 mb zip disc, not a 250, when you install it.
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#224922 - 12/29/07 05:10 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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fresito2000
Space Cadet
Registered: 12/26/07
Posts: 11
Loc: Barcelona, Spain
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Hey, I could upgrade my ZK too! Thank you!
FELIPE
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#224923 - 12/29/07 07:23 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
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fresito2000
Space Cadet
Registered: 12/26/07
Posts: 11
Loc: Barcelona, Spain
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Not so easy, it said it was upgraded but still functions as a plain 840, grrrrrrrrrr!
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#652800 - 01/22/08 08:23 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: airwalk]
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c1105y
Space Cadet
Registered: 01/20/08
Posts: 6
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hi could someone email me the ex update file too please so i can try to update my corrupt os, many thanks c1105y@hotmail.com
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#652924 - 01/23/08 01:04 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: c1105y]
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dhart
Planeteer
Registered: 12/19/01
Posts: 569
Loc: albany, ny
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sent. hope it works. that's the whole problem with the world today, too much dang corruption. is your vs running for elected office? that's usually when the whole thing starts.
sorry for the rant, it's just the season for it, but i did send the file.
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#676537 - 03/12/08 06:51 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: jimmyrock]
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SiFu
Space Cadet
Registered: 03/12/08
Posts: 16
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I have the ZK***** serial number and will be doing the upgrade this weekend. Were you able to update your ZK at the end? Any recommendations?
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#679151 - 03/18/08 04:31 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: SiFu]
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SiFu
Space Cadet
Registered: 03/12/08
Posts: 16
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Finally I got all the parts and did the VS840 v.1.* to v.1.05 upgrade via MIDI. That went just fine. After that I attempted to go for v.2.05, the initial dialog was the same as 1.05. Then it asked me if I wanted version up I said yes, and it said "Can;t version up" and went into the power on/off screen.
Can anyone help with this?
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#704968 - 05/21/08 07:26 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: SiFu]
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Bassball
Space Cadet
Registered: 04/17/08
Posts: 23
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Hey SiFu,
I just successfully upgraded; it seems update to 105 must be by midi, and after that update tot 205 via midi does not work. I got the same error. But upgrading by ZIP to 205 worked perfectly. Now I do have an old zip drive on my computer, you will need that...
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#717572 - 06/21/08 10:47 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: dhart]
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digger_digger_dogstar
Space Cadet
Registered: 06/21/08
Posts: 1
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Hi there,
Could someone please email me the 2.05 upgrade file for zip disc. I can't seem to get the midi files to work.
david_dunsmore2@hotmail.com
Thanking you
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#717640 - 06/22/08 01:57 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: digger_digger_dogstar]
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Cornjerker
Planeteer
Registered: 11/16/04
Posts: 5597
Loc: CornvILLe
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#830852 - 02/25/09 12:02 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: Cornjerker]
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Philph
Planeteer
Registered: 02/10/09
Posts: 46
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This is a good post, I am doing the upgrade soon and it is all a bit confusing. 102 to 105 via midi then to 205 via 100mb zip. This means I need both a zip and midi capabilties i have neither yet but I have found a Addonics AEIUDMD9 for sale for after the upgrade is this still the way to go? $100 dollars including postage to U.K. Is it all worth it? I have learnt a whole new lot about memory and storage and connections, must go and find out about midi interface usb adaptors and sequencing??????
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#831696 - 02/26/09 09:08 PM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: Cornjerker]
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Philph
Planeteer
Registered: 02/10/09
Posts: 46
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Hi Jack, sorry for some reason I was under the impression that i had to use midi too, I have looked at all of the above products and the pdf info. To tell you the truth I have no idea which one is the best option but being able to eject as in "Hot Swap" is probably safest way to go just in case i eject by accident. So thats ATA to IDE Drive with HOT SWAP FUNCTION C.M.IDE-412HS. Now i have tried to suss out what the difference is in all the above ebay items and they seem to be totally different, I am not sure if you realise that i have no knowledge of the different storage formats I know CF means compact flash but have never seen one. (Mini SD is on my camera)(SD MS MSP MMC are on my computer) but I have never used any of them. So i am trying to suss out what benefits they may or may not have, all i want to do is get rid of the zip drive noise and store on something that hasn't already gone out of date, (if that can easily be transferred to my computer as well) bonus!! Thanks again for your advice I now have the loan of a 100mb zip drive to USB, I have formatted a disc on the VS840, I have read somewhere that I have to initialize it too?? I am 1.02 trying to go to 1.05 first as you suggested, I am aware of the dangers of it all going wrong. Heres hoping it all goes right, right?
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#831878 - 02/27/09 12:24 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: Philph]
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Cornjerker
Planeteer
Registered: 11/16/04
Posts: 5597
Loc: CornvILLe
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You first have to format the ZIP 100 disk in your VS-840.
Then you put the VS-840 formatted ZIP 100 disk in your USB ZIP drive connected to your computer and copy the v1.05 $SYSPRO2.VS1 file to the ZIP 100 disk.
Then you put the ZIP 100 disk in your VS-840 and wait for the "Version Up?" prompt, to which you press the "Yes" button. You should put the ZIP 100 disk in your VS-840 before turning on the power. The VS-840 will eject the disk by itself when it's read the flash file. Just follow the prompts on the VS-840 LED screen.
Post your results, please!
As for CF and SD drives, I'd recommend SD for 2 reasons - CF drives seem to have trouble with 1Gb CF cards and 512Mb cards are getting very hard to come by now days. The other reason is SD drives and cards seem to be more robust than CF - my SD card reader accepted every card I threw at it and you can still get 1Gb SD cards.
With a SD or CF drive/reader installed in your VS-840, you can insert and remove the SD and CF cards ONLY WHEN THE POWER IS TURNED OFF.
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#832351 - 02/28/09 12:13 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: Cornjerker]
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Philph
Planeteer
Registered: 02/10/09
Posts: 46
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Note:-
The VS-840 will eject the disk by itself when it's read the flash file.
Follow the prompts on the VS-840 LED screen.
Power off with the on/off button (as the shift/shut shift/restart function doesn't work). I am now on version 1.05, thank you for your advice.
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#832358 - 02/28/09 12:39 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: Philph]
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Philph
Planeteer
Registered: 02/10/09
Posts: 46
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Went for the next stage with the help of Cornjerkers link http://vs840.vjam.net/vs840v205z.zip
I initialized a new disc on the recently upgraded to 1.05 just in case it was the safest option and then resumed to same method as upgrade before I am now running VS-840EX hurrah!! Thanks again Cornjerker and a few other good souls all the best. I will be back soon.
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#832381 - 02/28/09 01:25 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: Philph]
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Cornjerker
Planeteer
Registered: 11/16/04
Posts: 5597
Loc: CornvILLe
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Good goin', Phil! Do keep those disks and ZIP drive(s) handy.
If you pop the ZIP disks back in the PC ZIP drive, you'll see a new additional file that the VS-840 records as a marker that the disk has already been used for an update ... but it's been so long since I last updated I can't remember the file name.
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#832402 - 02/28/09 02:45 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: Cornjerker]
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Philph
Planeteer
Registered: 02/10/09
Posts: 46
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Hi Jack, I did wonder what to do with the 2 disks i put one back in and it asked me if i would like to version up, i declined and ejected i didn't want to muck anything up so i haven't gone near them since. I put another one that i had recorded on before upgrade and it read it ok and i have the tuner function and extra effects on and it was all ok after i shut down and i am still an 840EX owner. Fantastic help and support from your good self is much appreciated. So what do i do with the disks i only have the three 1 with the song on it pre upgrade, 2 upgrade v1.05, 3 upgrade v2.05.
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#832406 - 02/28/09 02:56 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: Philph]
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Cornjerker
Planeteer
Registered: 11/16/04
Posts: 5597
Loc: CornvILLe
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You know - I guess the reason for the file written to the disk after flash updating, has always escaped me ... but it occurs to me now - since the disk is a recording disk and the VS-840 can either record to the disk or flash upgrade it, the file it writes after a flash must tell the 840 it's OK to use as a recording disk again ...
It's best I suppose to delete the $SYSPRO2.VS1 from the disk ... note that I kept my old ZIP drive and some disks in case the OS ever corrupted or for some reason I needed to roll the OS back to 1.0x ... though for me the CF and SD drives have been rock solid with no need to go back. IF your ROM is ever blown with a bad flash / can't version up / don't match CPU error, you'll need to have a ZIP drive and disk to attempt recovery ... I can only imagine what Roland would do IF you took them an 840 flashed to EX with a flash media drive in the drive bay ... 
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#832416 - 02/28/09 03:35 AM
Re: VS-840 to EX Upgrade via Zip - Success Story
[Re: Cornjerker]
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Philph
Planeteer
Registered: 02/10/09
Posts: 46
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I sort of understood most of that but if it had been a week or two ago i would have thought i had died and gone to the physics lab!!
I have learnt a lot from you and this site and know I can learn a whole lot more. It is funny how when you get so engrossed in something technical, you forget the reason you started, i suddenly rememembered what i was up upgrading for, to get rid of the sound of the zip, I was having so much fun learning about computerspeak, I forgot to play the guitar, (acoustic, zip, noooo!!!) So my next quest is probably the SD thingy ma jig, (see i know all the tech speak), the reason I was looking into the Addonics AEIUDMD9 i mentioned earlier is because i had read on here somewhere that it worked and was easy to install. I realise now that some of the posts are quite old and technology has moved on so i can see (just about) that it might not be the best option. I have sourced one but if you think i would be better with another please let me know, bearing in mind that i probably won't understand a word of it. In reality i will try and work out any pros and cons and i really appreciate your help.
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