#1616627 - 06/11/19 02:11 AM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: Wish]
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Clem
Planeteer
Registered: 06/16/99
Posts: 1786
Loc: West Chester, PA USA
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No problem uptildawn. Just my way of returning the favor to Jimy, Cornjerker, and others who laid all the groundwork. I feel like I just put a V8 engine into my covered wagon.
Hey Wish, good to be back. Maybe we can get an 840 reunion party going in this forum.
As long as it doesn't run too late. I can't stay up like I used to!
Now where did I put my glasses...
Clem
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#1616636 - 06/11/19 02:50 AM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: Clem]
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Wish
🌴 VSP Moderator 🌵
Planeteer
Registered: 09/09/00
Posts: 11748
Loc: Phoenix, AZ
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Where the hell is Jack?
We need him and a few others for the reunion.
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#1627084 - 08/26/19 02:41 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: Wish]
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thebrackett
Space Cadet
Registered: 08/25/19
Posts: 3
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Hi all, I know this might be cheating, but I'm buying a VS-840 from Ebay that's already upgraded, I got it for $150 which seems like an great deal to me!
The seller said that the upgraded drive uses a "MicroDrive" format. Is that compatible with Compact Flash? I have found competing information on this count.
Wikipedia says that MicroDrive was created based on the CF Type II standard(5mm height, 3.3 & 5v compatible), and that this format was later supplanted by larger capacity Flash Cards.
So all this leads me to believe at least some CF cards should work in a MicroDrive slot, but I also had never heard of MicroDrive until I began this conversation, so I was hoping someone here could offer some insight?
I'll happily experiment and post my findings once I've got the machine, too. Apologies if this post is in the wrong thread, and thanks for reading!
Super happy to find this little pocket of VS enthusiasts!
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#1628183 - 09/04/19 01:01 AM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: thebrackett]
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Clem
Planeteer
Registered: 06/16/99
Posts: 1786
Loc: West Chester, PA USA
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Welcome bracket. It's the right thread. (It's about the only one that still has legs in this forum.) I'm afraid I can't help you much on the question though. The good news is that it sounds like it should work and you can experiment with a few cards and know pretty quick if something is recognized by the machine. Tip: When you do find one that works, get a few of them. This form factor is getting harder to find every day.
Is the seller giving you some media along with the 840?
Clem
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#1628224 - 09/04/19 02:27 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: Clem]
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thebrackett
Space Cadet
Registered: 08/25/19
Posts: 3
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Thanks for the reply Clem!
The seller didn't provide any media, but I ordered a MicroDrive that I found for cheap and a Compact Flash Type II to SD adapter.
The MicroDrive works great (no idea how long that little HD will be good for though), and thankfully the very first SD card I tried with my CF=>SD adapter worked!
The adapter I used was listed on Amazon as "Digigear SDXCF SD SDHC SDXC to CF Type II Extreme/Ultimate Compact Flash Card Adapter." So far, a total success!
I don't have the SD card in front of me, but I'll post that later too.
I mostly wanted to move away from media with moving parts, but I was also hoping to back up the files on my computer, and maybe even do some mixing using the individual .wav stems.
So far the backing up works great, but I was unable to find the Reaper DLL to allow me to open the files from the SD card on my computer. Is that still kicking around somewhere? Apologies if it's somewhere obvious, but I had a very hard time finding it.
Thanks to everyone here for keeping the home fires burning! The VS-840 sounds really good and so far I find the workflow to be very quick and intuitive.
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#1628388 - 09/06/19 08:47 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: thebrackett]
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thebrackett
Space Cadet
Registered: 08/25/19
Posts: 3
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Also, for anyone else looking, I was able to get the software needed to convert the vs audio files into wav at this site:
http://www.ps139.com/vs880ex/util/
which I found from this vsplanet thread:
http://www.vsplanet.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1242950
My browser reported it as an unsafe site, but based on the feedback in that thread I went ahead and it was fine. I've scanned all files that I pulled down and no viruses were detected. FWIW.
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#1632800 - 10/16/19 04:45 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: thebrackett]
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reamer77
Space Cadet
Registered: 10/16/19
Posts: 2
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Just a warning for others. This IDE to SD card reader setup didn't work well. The card needs to be initialized each time on boot. However, after saving to the card, I can get the contents off the card and on to my computer using BR-8 Wave Converter. I just can't open any existing songs on the SD Card, and it gets overwritten.
* VS-840EX running 2.0.5
* Aneew Secure Digital Card SD to 3.5" 40Pin Male IDE Hard Disk Drive Adapter (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074RG66ZV/)
* PNY 1GB SD Card
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#1632804 - 10/16/19 05:00 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: reamer77]
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uptildawn
Planeteer
Registered: 12/15/01
Posts: 9073
Loc: on land
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You might look into using a CF adapter - along with an sd card holder/adapter to use in the cf card adapter. Those have tended to work more consistently and not require reinitializing the card.
Search about the 880 and 1680 forums for what I'm talking about and if I get time,
sd to cf -
https://www.amazon.com/QUMOX-Compact-Mem...71244883&sr=8-3
acf adapter -
https://www.amazon.com/Shentesel-2-5inch...1245110&sr=8-59
Now I don't know that these two are exactly the ones you want/should get. But along these lines, definitely.
Don't bother with dual cf, or new high speed. I think the older styles are more compatible, really.
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uptildawn
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#1640838 - 01/16/20 11:44 AM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: uptildawn]
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csaba_roland
Space Cadet
Registered: 01/15/20
Posts: 2
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Hello,
I have just bought my Roland VS-840 (ver. 1.05), and would like to replace the ZIP drive with SD card.
I have got an SD SDHC SDXC MMC Card to IDE 40Pin 3.5inch Male Adapter from aliexpress, the type of the processor: FC1307A, and a 4 GB Lexar SDHC card.
I followed the instructions, but it does not work. It asks to initialize, I press OK, then it started to initializing (disk LED of VS-840 is on, then turn off), then I get an error message: Drive time out, then another message: medium error. I press enter, and VS-840 does not work. I switched off and on without SD card, and it works.
Any idea?
Thank you for your help!
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#1640947 - 01/17/20 07:15 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: csaba_roland]
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PDA
Space Cadet
Registered: 01/14/20
Posts: 6
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Hi Noob here! I’ve just purchased a 840GX off eBay & I’d like to upgrade the zip to a Cf drive, 1st off what’s different on the GX & what cf adapter & cable do I need? Any recent eBay links would be appreciated tia
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#1640956 - 01/17/20 08:17 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: PDA]
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uptildawn
Planeteer
Registered: 12/15/01
Posts: 9073
Loc: on land
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Hi PDA - welcome to the Planet.
If you haven't already read the entire thread, be sure to at least read over the posts that mention using CF media - and view the SD conversion posts as secondary - maybe for some of the links and/or names of products to search for. But the CF posts will be most relevant and useful, since the SD adapters have proven less reliable for this mod. Check out this post in particular - #1616567 - 06/10/19 05:46 PM - it's about 32 posts from the top of this last page [3], I think.
Also, be sure to read through the thread for any particular advise pertaining to the conversion process from zip to CF/SD itself, because you will need to consider things like which os version you have in your VS and possibly how to download and install the last version off the Roland support pages. A NOTE - to check the complete os version number, with all three decimal places, hold down the status and track mixer buttons to channel 1 while powering on the unit with the power switch. As it begins to boot, you will get a screen that shows the full x.xxx version (as opposed to the x.xx you get during normal boot). If you don't have the most current version (as shown on the roland website), then you will definitely want to at least download a copy to your computer to save in case roland decides at some point to stop supply it (as they did when they stopped supplying the last two versions, opting for just the last one some years ago).
Edited by uptildawn (01/17/20 08:18 PM)
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uptildawn
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#1641044 - 01/18/20 06:40 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: uptildawn]
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PDA
Space Cadet
Registered: 01/14/20
Posts: 6
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wheres the track mixer button to find out os version? found the status one
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#1641053 - 01/18/20 07:44 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: PDA]
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uptildawn
Planeteer
Registered: 12/15/01
Posts: 9073
Loc: on land
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Oh! So sorry - I've never noticed that your model doesn't have the three button per channel arrangement that the 880 has.
Now I couldn't tell you how to read the full version number...
Looking at their website, I see that Roland only shows a 3-digit os version for the 840gx... yours should be 2.52 if it's up to date. https://www.roland.com/us/support/by_product/vs-840gx/updates_drivers/
Edited by uptildawn (01/18/20 07:46 PM)
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uptildawn
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#1641124 - 01/19/20 05:41 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: uptildawn]
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Clem
Planeteer
Registered: 06/16/99
Posts: 1786
Loc: West Chester, PA USA
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Csasba Roland: I think the consensus is that some SD cards just don't work. If you can, try to find older SD cards that may have lower capacity. 1GB or less. Read through the entire thread to see if anyone has had luck with that card and size.
Though CF cards are harder to find (especially low capacity ones) I think people have had better luck with those. Good luck.
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#1641126 - 01/19/20 06:07 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: Clem]
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uptildawn
Planeteer
Registered: 12/15/01
Posts: 9073
Loc: on land
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Actually, Clem's post is only partially complete in regards to SD cards. The biggest issue has been with the SD adapters not being compatible for reasons unknown (where they were a great choice for awhile and have not been for a long time now).
If you use a CF adapter and then use an SD to CF adapter card to insert into the main adapter card slot, it is likely that almost any small capacity SDHC card will work. Class 6 and lower cards worked best in my own experience, although class 10 might be good too. As Clem states - some SD cards don't work - mainly at the time when everybody was looking into this, SanDisk seemed to be the main one to avoid. Couldn't tell you why that was - it just was and probably is still. Transcend and PNY worked really well for me - just standard, low capacity (1-4GB), SDHC cards.
CF cards definitely have worked more consistently, as Clem also states. Don't bother with fancy high speed cards with frills meant for camera users. Stay basic and as low capacity as possible. I don't have any personal experience with whether or not the 840 will choke on large capacity cards.
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uptildawn
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#1641147 - 01/19/20 10:26 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: uptildawn]
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PDA
Space Cadet
Registered: 01/14/20
Posts: 6
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I’ve had my vs840gx less then a week now,
how you guys used to put up with the constant whirring noise I don’t know! And the drive busy error.Anyhow I’ve ordered a cf adapter & card off eBay so hopefully this time next week it’ll be working fine...
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#1641163 - 01/19/20 11:35 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: PDA]
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uptildawn
Planeteer
Registered: 12/15/01
Posts: 9073
Loc: on land
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Well, in my case, I never used a VS with an internal zip drive, thankfully, but I know the sound from when I used an external zip with an 880 for awhile. I understand your grief!
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uptildawn
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#1641290 - 01/21/20 12:18 AM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: uptildawn]
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Clem
Planeteer
Registered: 06/16/99
Posts: 1786
Loc: West Chester, PA USA
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It was still quieter than the fan and tape hiss on my Teac reel-to-reel. I guess that's how I put up with it anyway. 
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#1641295 - 01/21/20 12:56 AM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: PDA]
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jimmyrock
Department Head of Redundancy Department Head
Planeteer
Registered: 12/18/05
Posts: 9684
Loc: America's File Cabinet
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I’ve had my vs840gx less then a week now,
how you guys used to put up with the constant whirring noise I don’t know! And the drive busy error.Anyhow I’ve ordered a cf adapter & card off eBay so hopefully this time next week it’ll be working fine...
i dont recall it being so bad but the cf card was a great upgarde and easy!
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#1641688 - 01/24/20 05:40 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: jimmyrock]
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PDA
Space Cadet
Registered: 01/14/20
Posts: 6
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Got the card reader today fitted it (with gaffa tape for now! till I make a mounting bracket) switched it on initialised card boom 513 minutes of recording time! Record random tracks,Stored it turned off back on still there! Now the annoying noise has stopped I can get down to finding out how to using it.
Thanks for all your help guys
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#1641691 - 01/24/20 06:33 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: PDA]
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uptildawn
Planeteer
Registered: 12/15/01
Posts: 9073
Loc: on land
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Congrats PDA!
It could be helpful, if you would post names and links to the items you used for your conversion.
Glad it's working out for you so quickly.
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uptildawn
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#1641774 - 01/25/20 09:08 AM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: uptildawn]
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PDA
Space Cadet
Registered: 01/14/20
Posts: 6
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I just used the cf card reader by startech a transcend x80 1gb card & an old cable from an old pc from my shed! I’ve got a GX so the os was already on 2.52
Why is it limited to 1gb? Has anybody tried larger cards?
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#1641797 - 01/25/20 04:27 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: PDA]
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uptildawn
Planeteer
Registered: 12/15/01
Posts: 9073
Loc: on land
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Well, there are many cf card readers, even made by startech, so a link to the one you recently bought would be helpful - at least for a time, if you can post it.
Many people who come to the planet for help with these mods have just bought a second-hand VS and have no clue how to proceed. Anything we can do to help makes life a bit easier for somebody.
You can use larger cards, but the VS will only recognize and use 1GB. That's how it was designed. It won't change for us. There may also be a limit to how large of a card it will recognize, so it's wise to try to keep the size down.
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uptildawn
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#1641876 - 01/26/20 09:40 AM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: uptildawn]
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PDA
Space Cadet
Registered: 01/14/20
Posts: 6
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The star tech card reader I got off eBay part# 252832238660 by a company called Kikatek
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#1641913 - 01/26/20 05:52 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: PDA]
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uptildawn
Planeteer
Registered: 12/15/01
Posts: 9073
Loc: on land
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Thank you for that! It looks very much like the one I used many years ago. Nice to know that at least Startech still produces a CF reader that works with our VS machines.
Here's a current link to one on Amazon, for those who may be looking in the USA - currently anyway.
https://www.amazon.com/CF-adapter-card-3-5in-CompactFlash/dp/B000T9QQP0
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uptildawn
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#1643038 - 02/04/20 09:22 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: Cornjerker]
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csaba_roland
Space Cadet
Registered: 01/15/20
Posts: 2
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Hello,
I have just bought a Roland vs-840 1.05 ver. I would like to upgrade to 840 ex. Could you be so kind to send me the zip disc version, please?
My email address is:
advesz.csabi@gmail.com
Thank you for your help!
Best regards,
Csabi
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#1643683 - 02/09/20 02:33 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: uptildawn]
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Rainer
Space Cadet
Registered: 02/14/10
Posts: 6
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To get the version on the plain VS-840 and on the EX, you have do the following:
(source: https://rolandus.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201979959-VS-840-Checking-the-System-Version)
1. Power off the VS-840.
2. Press and hold the MONITOR SEL button and the SOLO button.
3. While holding these two buttons down, turn on the VS-840 and continue holding these buttons.
4. The current system version will appear after "VS-840 Ver". You may now release the two buttons.
5. After a few moments, the VS-840 will load up normally. If you missed the version number, repeat steps 1 through 4.
This probably also works on the VS-840GX. Turns out my 840EX was at 2.00, so there's some upgrading to do
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#1651518 - 04/04/20 07:56 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: Rainer]
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leandroland
Space Cadet
Registered: 10/21/16
Posts: 2
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hello! iwas trying to do the update to my vs 840 and ive got the sign "BAD FLASH! ! " and then "cant version up" i need help!!!! thanks from argentina...---
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#1651525 - 04/04/20 08:28 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: leandroland]
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uptildawn
Planeteer
Registered: 12/15/01
Posts: 9073
Loc: on land
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Your best bet might be to try the update again... Check everything over carefully first - make sure any connections between the machines are good and that you follow the update procedure completely - don't power down or interrupt the process in any way - let it complete before messing with it.
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uptildawn
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#1653463 - 04/16/20 06:25 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: uptildawn]
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leandroland
Space Cadet
Registered: 10/21/16
Posts: 2
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thanks!
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#1656362 - 05/04/20 06:59 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: leandroland]
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Roode_Poon
Space Cadet
Registered: 03/17/20
Posts: 5
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I want to move my VS-840 to OS v2.05 to built in a SD drive but my VS-840 is currently bricked (while upgrading from v1.01).
Can anyone help me with the following:
- format and initialize a 100MB ZIP disk in a VS-840
- Put the ZIP disk in a PC and extract the disk image with WinImage
- email me the disk image
I can write the disk image to a ZIP disk, add the OS update file to the disk and upgrade my VS-840.
Thanks!
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#1665409 - 06/15/20 11:53 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: Roode_Poon]
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demane22
Space Cadet
Registered: 01/27/18
Posts: 4
Loc: New Jersey
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I added both disk images for you, a blank newly formatted 100mb ZIP disk in the VS-840. I also included an image that had the "$syspro2.vs1" file added.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/97qejuxgzb7rd8u/VS-840%20ZIP100%20Images.zip?dl=0
I want to move my VS-840 to OS v2.05 to built in a SD drive but my VS-840 is currently bricked (while upgrading from v1.01).
Can anyone help me with the following:
- format and initialize a 100MB ZIP disk in a VS-840
- Put the ZIP disk in a PC and extract the disk image with WinImage
- email me the disk image
I can write the disk image to a ZIP disk, add the OS update file to the disk and upgrade my VS-840.
Thanks!
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#1685318 - 10/08/20 08:01 PM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: demane22]
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modena
Space Cadet
Registered: 10/08/20
Posts: 2
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Hello all,
I am a newbie to the forum.
I was recently on the Gearslutz forum with a post about the lack of midi clock
on the Zoom digital recorders. I own a Zoom R8 and miss the fact I cant sync
other instruments. Then....hey...I have a dust collecting VS 840 which has clock.
I came to this site and discovered a wealth of information.
I dug out my (ZK) 840 and booted it up... click of death on the Zip. I have some previously initialized discs which load but I can’t format any other discs. I had the original firmware so
updated to 1.05 via midi with no problem but that was no help regards the Zip drive.
I would now like to go down the SD drive route but most posts say you need VS840EX firmware ...some posts say you don’t. I have ordered an IDE to SD adaptor and will see of course.
Could anyone advise me and possibly help?
I have a working external Zip I can connect to a Windows PC ( win7) but don’t have the cable but can get one if it’s needed.
Many thanks in advance,
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#1688307 - 10/28/20 01:26 AM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: modena]
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modena
Space Cadet
Registered: 10/08/20
Posts: 2
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I will answer myself.
1) Best to update to VS 2.05, via Zip. Midi does NOT work.
2) New SD card readers as of 2020 do not work. Get a CF card reader/adapter.
3) CF card/reader apapters fit nicely in the hole left by the Zip Drive.You need to
drill some holes into the existing caddie to fit it.
4) Search like hell for the 2.05 upgrade. Persistence will reap rewards.
5) I’m in the UK and total upgade after mistakes cost me £50.
6) The EX upgrade is essential and also a little easier to use when installed.
7) BR8 file converter from Roland ( Win XP legacy) is still available on the
Roland site and if you have access to a Win XP computer you can convert
the VS audio files to Wav to put in a DAW.
8) Some nice retro sounding FX on the machine which could give your
tracks a nineties flavour.
9 Wotth doing if you have an old VS in the attic.
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#1704124 - 12/18/20 06:58 AM
Re: Installing an IDE to Flash Media Adapter in a Roland VS-840
[Re: modena]
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TR_Hall
Space Cadet
Registered: 09/16/19
Posts: 16
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