808 editor error msg: Unable to read/write data

[TOTAL]

I have a problem with 808 Editor.

I follow the manual's instructions:

Set the USB Mode to "MIDI."
Soft thru OFF
Keyboard OFF
When turning editor on the do not disconnect the USB cable connected to the MC-808 while MC-808 Editor is running


Moving the faders results in changes on editor screen and vice versa.



BUT

when
I want to Read Patch/Rhythm set names
or
choose READ, or Sample



I get the error message: unable to read/write data. refer to manual's point 6.


The point 6 says this:

the display may indicate "Unable to read/write data."

1. When the MC-808 and the computer are not connected properly
(vague)

2. When the MC-808's Soft Thru setting is not "OFF" or its Remote Kbd Sw setting is not "OFF"
(not the case)

3. When a large number of notes are being sounded
(not the case)

4. When playing/recording a pattern
(not the case)

5. When playing/recording a song
(not the case)

6. When playing/recording a sample
(not the case)

7. While an editing operation is being carried out
(not the case)


By exclusion I remain with this vague point 1

In setup MIDI I have tried all the three combinations

MC-808 in&out ON Through in&out OFF

MC-808 in&out OFF Through in&out ON

MC-808 in&out ON Through in&out ON

(BTW, Which is the correct one?)


What can I do?

[tuanjamz2]

Total uninstall the software and reinstall it . Then reboot the cpu . While the cpu is rebooting then make the setting's on the 808 as you got listed below. (But remember what usb port you are using). When you plug it in make sure you plug it in the same usb port. If not the unit has to be reinstalled. And the 808 won't go in pc mode untill you click the sample in the editor.But you can use the 808 as a controller. Move the fader's and see them move on the screen. Hope this help's you out .

tuanjamz2

[TOTAL]

I did deinstall the driver.

and followed the driver installation instructions:

have all the usb stuff disconnected
have 808 disconnected and off
select "ignore" in signing menu
click setup.exe
click next
get the window saying that should the "driver electronically unsigned" appear etc.
and in the middle of the progress bar the application hangs for more than a minute

I know that this installation could be done manually:

connect 808
turn ON
follow the XP's standard procedure for driver installation

but the problem with Editor persists

BTW, is here anybody from Roland I could contact?

[MichaelJHuman]

Attach the ferite core and/or try a different USB cable. The MC-808 seems sensitive to the cable.

[TOTAL]

Yes, it does it!!!!

EDIT

After further tests it appears that without the core all is fine, but the problem is the either the plug of my usbcable or the loose socket of 808.

But of course the core may protect the connection more discretely

[Mallett]

I am suddenly having this problem also, despite having used the same USB port. In fact, I never disconnected it!

I think the ferrite rod answer is not correct, as I CAN use to faulty MIDI connection to achieve successful storage mode. How could I do that if the USB cable and connection were faulty?

It seems to me that I have to keep re-installing the driver, everytime I wish to use the editor. This only manifests itself with the editor, while the "storage"ode works fine.

I very much suspect shoddy programming on Roland's part.

If they cannot write an even basic manual, what hope for workable software?

[TOTAL]

Haven't had any serious problems for a long time (7 days).

Whenever I come across this message I
restart the computer with 808 connected but turned off
start 808
start editor

Works.

I also changed usb cable for une whose plug is more solidly placed in the socket.

[Mallett]

Thanks for that info. Unfortunately it has not made any difference.

Like those above, I have followed the manuals instructions to the letter, to no avail.

I believe that the editor software has got to be at fault, despite being re-installed, as the PC sees the "storage" side of the NC808, but not the midi side.

Nearly everytime I boot up the MC808 with the PC connected, I get the wizard asking me to put in the CD so it can install the USB driver. The PC then states that thw MC808 is connected and ready for use. However, it is not ready to see the editor, only the "storage".

When I close the editor after it fails to connect, I often get an error message saying there is no driver installed.

Does Roland take any interest in user's difficulties, or do they just trot out the usual nonsense in the rubbish manuals?

If they do answer queries seriously, where is the best place to contact?

[TOTAL]

Here's the support I have managed to get from them so far.



"Thank you for your recent correspondence regarding your Roland/BOSS/Edirol [sic!]
product.

Based on your request, we need more information to be able to answer your
question. Please call Product Support at your earliest convenience and
reference the above incident number. Product Support is available Monday
through Friday, 7:30am to 6:00pm Pacific Standard Time. We are closed for
lunch from 1:00-2:00pm PST.

Digital Recorders and Mixers: 323-890-3741
Guitar/Percussion Products: 323-890-3743
Pianos, Organs, Arrangers: 323-890-3744
Synths/Sound Modules/Groove Products: 323-890-3745
Product Support Main: 323-890-3740

Sincerely,
Roland Product Support

PLEASE DO NOT RESPOND DIRECTLY TO THIS EMAIL."



If you live in US, you might call them.

[Mallett]

Finally got it communicating fully again with the editor, after many re-installs of the editor and driver, as advised.

The re-installations did nothing, but I updated to OS 1.03 and it started working again. However I suspect the factory reset probably would have done the job, albeit with the effort of backing up and restoring my material. Time consuming.

It seems to have cured the other bug, of having the unit boot up in Slave mode, no matter how I left the unit on power down.

Probably a factory reset cures most ills.

[Mallett]

This is simply infuriatingly BAD software!
Not only did this 808 lose me some material I had assiduously backed-up in 2 different locations, but it has now returned to powering-up again in slave mode. What else? Now it is up to it's old tricks again, and is unable to read/write data when I connect the editor.

Who writes this rubbish software?

Life is too short to waste another month on this piece of junk.

Does anybody know of a groovebox by another manufacturer that actually works, and does not junk days of work whenever it gets an itch?

This was the last time I buy Roland.

This has set my gigging schedule back by at least a month.

[Flaco]

I was having this same prob! The problem for me was that i didn't set the output setting in the setup menu to MC-808. I did that and it is fixed. Hope this helps!;)

[Mallett]

Hi Flaco,

Thanks for your advice.

Are you talking about the Midi Output in "Set Up MIDI devices" in the setup menu option of the editor?

I have done that, and it does not cure the problem.

[Flaco]

Yes, the output of the mc-808 section device, NOT the Through Section.

Like This:

Input: Output:
MC-808- Roland MC-808 Roland MC-808


LOL i hope that makes sense..the diagram.

Good Luck Man! if you can't get it working, definitley call the roland people. It's a pain in the ass but they could point you in the right direction. I'm thinking there could possibly be something wrong with your MC or the software you have. In that case Roland would send you a new disc.

[Mallett]

Once again the factory reset did the trick (in getting the Editor to communicate with the MC-808), but for how long?

I also reformatted the Compact Flash to ensure a better backup of the internal memory.

The Restore function (to re-load my RPSs, Songs, and Rhythm Sets, etc.) failed to reload fully, leaving gaps in the process. It also caused the unit to still boot up in Slave Mode.

After the Restore, the 808 would not communicate with the Editor. ("unable to read/write data" etc.)

Next I tried a Factory Reset with NO Restore Function, and just restored my stuff by hand. That has worked out ok, so far. How long will it last? Had I somehow saved an error or bug in my previous backup, and was simply restoring that error?

Does the Save As function in the File menu of the Editor save the entire settings of the MC-808? Can it therefore be used to restore the unit back to a previous condition?

Any ideas anybody?