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  • From: Sil Greene <Sil_greene AT unc.edu>
  • To: "Internetworkers: http://www.ibiblio.org/internetworkers/" <internetworkers AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: Re: [internetworkers] Getting something out of broken Yamaha Synthesizer disk drive
  • Date: Fri, 16 May 2003 15:54:24 -0400 (EDT)


Ah yes, I did assume a broken internal HD...

If the floppy is your typical 3.5" disk, you can use the Unix/Linux 'dd'
command to make an image of the floppy. (OSX ought to have a similar
command, and there may be free utilities to do the same from Windows.)
Then you've at least got a backup from which you can make copies.

You can always try reading the files directly from DOS or Windows
Explorer; write-protect the disk first and see if you can get a directory
listing. If so, you can copy the files to a computer harddrive, and you
might be able to monkey with them using Cakewalk or other sequencer
software. This, plus a midi hookup from your computer to the synth, ought
to let you play the song on the synth -- bypassing the failed drive
completely.

OTOH, If it's a 2.5" disk (like my ancient Roland sequencer uses), you'll
have to replace the drive. Maybe get one cheap out of a broken SY99 or
SY77 and just swap the part.

--Sil

On Fri, 16 May 2003, B wrote:

> I knew some of y'all would have suggestions! You're such a smart list....
>
> I am sorry. I not only was not clear, my own impression was incorrect:
>The Yamaha is indeed an older unit -- <>'80s -- with a broken floppy disk
>drive and a card slot that goes unused (no card available). The data for
>the music exists on an aging floppy disk (argh!) that apparently is
>useless for anything other than playing on a (repaired) Yamaha
>Synthesizer.
>
> So, how do I get that information off of the floppy without screwing up
>the floppy? Can it be just copied to one or several of our computers? (I
>have a strong sense of deja vu and dimly remember getting "no eof mark"
>errors when I consider doing this on Win machines....)
>
> ???
> "B"
>
> -------Original Message-------
> <...>
> >
> > sil,
>
> it sounds as if you are assuming an internal HD. i believe this is an
> older unit that probably only had a slot for a proprietary "RAM card" or
> at best a floppy disk drive.
>
> it sounds to me as if it's this floppy disk drive that has failed.
>
> my recommendations work on the assumpation that the song data still
> exists in persistent memory and that it is playable, but just needs to
> be extracted.
>
> --rt
>
>
> Sil Greene wrote:
>
> > RT makes a good point -- can you still access the drive? If so, his
> > suggestions might do the trick ... if not, read on...
> >
> > Best option is to find a data retrieval place that would do a bitwise
> > retrieval (essentially dd the data off to an image file). I don't know
> if
> > anyone offers that service, and the damage to the drive may make the
> data
> > unrecoverable. Even if you get an image, drive damage may have
> corrupted
> > something.
>
>
>
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--
"If you put your supper dish to your ears you can hear the sounds
of a restaurant." --Snoopy (Charles Schultz 02-12-2000 RIP)
*&* Sil_Greene AT unc.edu *&* ICQ Silauren #36430811 *&*





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