Korg Forums

Hi guys. I have a big problem with my Pa4x. Suddenly not reading the Hard drive (I have tried many) who previously read instead the pendrive work. Do you have any advice?

When you say "not reading" do you mean that you cannot see a reference to your hard drive at all (in the device drop-down menu in MEDIA mode)?

Also are you talking about the internal hard drive or an external hard drive?

Thanks - just trying to fully understand your question

Pete

It does not read HD from MEDIA, in the drop down menu, if I want to load a midi by sequencer. When I connect the hd to the USB it is perceived but does not open the unit. I also tried with additional power but without result. The odd thing is that it worked smoothly in the past few months

Just checking and confirming...

So you are having problems with an external HD.
If you are in MEDIA mode "load" page there needs to be a valid PA4X SET-related file otherwise it will show nothing.
Also, if you can see the drive in utility page, try formatting it on the PA4X first in case you have a format issue.
If you are in MEDIA mode > utility and cannot see the drive at all in the drop-down, reformat it on your PC.
If it is a new drive, then definitely format it first (preferably on the PA4X) as many new drives may not be "correctly/accurately" formatted.

Cheers

Pete

I can not format HDs that Pa does not see. But this is HD that previously read without any problems. I have tried at least 10 of different formats and features. I formatted them in Fat32 - NTFS -Exfat but nothing to do. The keyboard recognizes USB input but does not charge the unit. Can not intervene by PA

The keyboard recognizes USB input but does not charge the unit.

Aha!! That is the problem - you would need to power the HDD. It would seem like the PA4X does not have enough power to drive it.
An external powered USB hub may solve your problem.

The fact that it worked before may mean that it may have been on the edge of its available USB power - I've had this happen on my PC with external devices.

Cheers

Pete

Unfortunately, it does not even work with dual power.

I'm wondering if the usb port is sensitive to hot swapping.

In general USB 2.0 only provides up to 500mA.

A "normal" HD needs up to 1.000mA for startup, so it sometimes works and it sometimes doesn´t.

To ensure that it´s not a problem of your USB-port(s) ( did you try the one on the rear as well ?? ) plugin an USB-stick or a SSD.

Does that work ?

If not, you may have damaged your USB-port with the HD without external power...

out of interest are both the USB Ports front and rear able to hot swap ?

I have been hot swapping since day 1 both USB sticks and External drives without issue and as the OS has no way of unmounting these devices from the 2 USB ports it suggests that hot swap is the way ?

Yes - hot swap is the only way

Pete

Thanks Pete as I thought

mintjamman wrote:the OS has no way of unmounting these devices from the 2 USB ports it suggests that hot swap is the way ?

- Actually this is a problem in PaSeries , in Pa4X I have noticed many times USB Stick data corruption , if removed when Direct SET is assigned to it !
(You will see check disk request in your PC/Mac in this case).
- One tricky way to safely remove USB storage drives is to enter in SONG mode !
- Althought USB slot current protocol is 500mA , do not use devices that consume over 400mA current at power peaks !
- It's greatly adviced not to use fans/power LEDs and other USB powered devices in Pa4X USB slots , this can lead to PSU damage !
- Only new age SSD can be directly connected in USB ports with only SATA to USB adapter !
- Older generation magnetic HD must be self powered when connected at Pa4X USB ports (tested up to 240GB).
- Internal HD or any external HD storage device will be used exclusively as a storage device that you will never fill during Pa4X life & usage
and if an external media storage is required for migrating SETs in another gigging Pa4X , then a new generation USB 3 stick is the best
option that can be faster than internal HD ! ( http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... p?t=110706 )

Hope this helps

AntonySharmman wrote:

mintjamman wrote:the OS has no way of unmounting these devices from the 2 USB ports it suggests that hot swap is the way ?

- Actually this is a problem in PaSeries , in Pa4X I have noticed many times USB Stick data corruption , if removed when Direct SET is assigned to it !
(You will see check disk request in your PC/Mac in this case).
- One tricky way to safely remove USB storage drives is to enter in SONG mode !
- Althought USB slot current protocol is 500mA , do not use devices that consume over 400mA current at power peaks !
- It's greatly adviced not to use fans/power LEDs and other USB powered devices in Pa4X USB slots , this can lead to PSU damage !
- Only new age SSD can be directly connected in USB ports with only SATA to USB adapter !
- Older generation magnetic HD must be self powered when connected at Pa4X USB ports (tested up to 240GB).
- Internal HD or any external HD storage device will be used exclusively as a storage device that you will never fill during Pa4X life & usage
and if an external media storage is required for migrating SETs in another gigging Pa4X , then a new generation USB 3 stick is the best
option that can be faster than internal HD ! ( http://www.korgforums.com/forum/phpBB2/ ... p?t=110706 )

Hope this helps

Excellant article !!! Print out and Save !

Very helpful info Antony