Hi.

I have just tried to re-format one of my flash boards (512Mb). After letting it run some time, it gave a message of ‘can’t execute’. When I checked again the board becomes zero size. After restart, it said the flash cannot be recognised. I then tried formatting it again. It kept saying ‘Can’t execute’. I tried switching the positions of the 2 flash boards or factory reset. But it didn’t help.

It is a rather new board and I have not written things on it much. There have been no disruption of power during any procedures. Anyone can give me advise? I worry the board is somehow corrupted…

Thanks a lot!

By the way, this is the first time I do the formatting in v1.50. I have no trouble in previous versions. I am hesitated to format the other board ...

Not sure if it could be a problem but are you saying you now have two flashboards installed formatted from two different OS’s?

Great. Information. I love it!

OS version shouldnt affect the Flash board recognition and function, I hope?  Flash board initialization and content isnt OS version dependent, is it?

motidave - 22 August 2014 04:03 PM

OS version shouldnt affect the Flash board recognition and function, I hope?  Flash board initialization and content isnt OS version dependent, is it?

Well I might not be the best answer ...
but I agree.
When I first formatted the flash memory on my 1st XF,
it was using firmware v1.10… I think?, this was back in Sept ‘11,
I upgraded to v1.3, skipping 1.2,
then to v1.4, and then to the present v1.5.
There isn’t going to be any ‘formatting’ now.
Formatting the 1gb flash memory now would result in initializing the sounds we’ve recorded on them as samples.
Anyone?

yamahaFan - 22 August 2014 04:10 PM

motidave - 22 August 2014 04:03 PM

OS version shouldnt affect the Flash board recognition and function, I hope?  Flash board initialization and content isnt OS version dependent, is it?

Well I might not be the best answer ...
but I agree because when I first formatted the memory on my xf now it was using firmware v1.10 I think?, this was back in Sept ‘11,
I upgraded to v1.3,
then to v1.4, and then to the present v1.5.
There isn’t going to be any ‘formatting’ now.
Formatting the 1gb flash memory now would result in initializing the sounds we’ve recorded on them as samples.
Anyone?

yamahaFan, I’m not saying you would need to do it (because I don’t know), but you certainly have the option of SAVING an ALL WAVEFORM file WITH SAMPLES...re-formatting the Flash Board...and then re-LOADING the Sample data to it.

cmayhle - 22 August 2014 04:14 PM

yamahaFan, I’m not saying you would need to do it (because I don’t know), but you certainly have the option of SAVING an ALL WAVEFORM file WITH SAMPLES...re-formatting the Flash Board...and then re-LOADING the Sample data.

Good point.
I should also reload one of the AllFiles from back in ‘12 when a different OS was on the XF and see if I can hear a difference as well.
Marc

Thanks everyone’s input :)

What I mean is I have 2 flash boards installed. This is the first time I do formatting in v1.50. I can’t remember when was the last formatting in which OS version. I seldom do formatting.

UPDATE
I have tried ‘down-grading’ the OS to v1.30, the most earliest OS I can get from Yamaha site. It did not help the formatting situation.

Any thoughts?

Actually this 512M board comes with my XF 2 years ago for free, with the Inspiration in a flash pre-installed. So its out of warranty. Not sure if I would have confidence in a new flash board again from yamaha ...

The OS version shouldn’t matter, as cmayhle already mentioned.

I’d suggest:
1) Install the “good” flash module in slot 1, nothing in slot 2, and verify that the XF can read samples from it. If it can, continue with #2. If not, let us know what happens.
2) Remove the “good” module from slot 1 and replace it with the “bad” one. Follow the directions on pages 76-77 of the XF Owner’s Manual, especially step 4-2.
3) Follow section 6 on page 77, and try to format the “bad” module.

If you are unsuccessful, then the module would seem to be faulty.

5pinDIN - 22 August 2014 11:03 PM

The OS version shouldn’t matter, as cmayhle already mentioned.

I’d suggest:
1) Install the “good” flash module in slot 1, nothing in slot 2, and verify that the XF can read samples from it. If it can, continue with #2. If not, let us know what happens.
2) Remove the “good” module from slot 1 and replace it with the “bad” one. Follow the directions on pages 76-77 of the XF Owner’s Manual, especially step 4-2.
3) Follow section 6 on page 77, and try to format the “bad” module.

If you are unsuccessful, then the module would seem to be faulty.

Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I tried your instructions. However the flash still cannot be formatted.

It just comes into mind that I actually noticed a loss of some of the USER voices that use materials in that flash (inspiration in a flash) before I found the issue. I originally thought somehow I had screwed up the settings during various operations. Now I seems it may indicate a fault in the flash.

It’s out of warranty. So would you suggest I try finding local shops to repair it? Or just forget it and get a new board?

Anyone has experience or success repairing a flash board?

I’d just buy a new flashboard. You can
certainly call some electronic service shops
and see if they can fix yours, of course. In
my experience, once a flashboard is gone,
its gone.

DavePolich - 24 August 2014 12:00 PM

I’d just buy a new flashboard. You can
certainly call some electronic service shops
and see if they can fix yours, of course. In
my experience, once a flashboard is gone,
its gone.

I see. Thanks a lot Dave for your advice.

Would you say it’s normal to have the flash board gone after 2 years, without much write and delete (it is only for the purpose of storing the inspiration in a flash)? Any thoughts or suggestions to us the XF users to possibly minimise such fault?

Xenovir.V - 25 August 2014 01:34 AM

DavePolich - 24 August 2014 12:00 PM

I’d just buy a new flashboard. You can
certainly call some electronic service shops
and see if they can fix yours, of course. In
my experience, once a flashboard is gone,
its gone.

I see. Thanks a lot Dave for your advice.

Would you say it’s normal to have the flash board gone after 2 years, without much write and delete (it is only for the purpose of storing the inspiration in a flash)? Any thoughts or suggestions to us the XF users to possibly minimise such fault?

File it under “crap happens”. Of course its not normal but any electronic part can fail.

Crap seldom happens to Japan-made electronics, at least for me. This flash is really exceptional…