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Post by drumdrym on May 18, 2015 21:42:25 GMT
We have a problem with the latest batch of USB sticks (4gb) purchased. W7 PC will read and write to this new stick, works a treat. The problem is not the USB Stick but that our Microboards Fast Copier wont recognise this stick, (it, the machine, probably requires a firmware update) in fact the new stick causes the machine to eventually freeze up. Both sticks are FAT32 formatted. I opened one up and compared it with the regular sticks we have been using you will see from the pics that the new stick (wont work in machine) top of each pic has very little in it's guts, whilst the older (work in machine) stick is crammed with bits. Can anyone suggest how we might get around this problem. Our secretary has been told by someone at Microboards UK that the machines (we have two) will require to be sent back and opened up to have the firmware updated at a cost of £80 per machine. As the copiers have a utilities section with a firmware update utility loaded seems a bit iffy to ask for them back just for that purpose and why the need to open them up. Unless of course the USB controller card needs an upgrade. This must be the bit that does the business, guess you call that miniaturisation.
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on May 24, 2015 7:50:53 GMT
I figure it is just the way copier handles and 'recognises' these USB sticks.
If it were mine I would ask them to send me the update files and how to update the firmware of those machines. Most likely they only will offer to do this themselves out of fear of 'bricking' or just to make a buck.
The big chip is the flash memory, the square one is the controller (USB management and memory allocator) In the black shrink tube is the Crystal. The brown thingies are capacitors (no values written on them), the black ones are resistors (with values on them). D1 is the LED and the bigger white part on the brown flexible PCB is a capacitor which is mounted across the power supply lines (decoupling and RFI suppression)
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Post by drumdrym on May 24, 2015 13:30:45 GMT
Hi Frans, thanks for your input it's much appreciated. Having spoken with both the USB stick supplier and the copier manufacturer your observations are pretty much spot on.
The USB stick supplier has confirmed that they have had similar cases in the past which were resolved by a firmware upgrade processed by Microboards. The newer USB sticks are micro nand MUDP with all the component circuitry contained within the chip.
Microboards are offering to do the upgrade at a cost of £78 per machine but only if we send them back as the copiers have to be opened up to do the upgrade. I pointed out that the copiers have a utilities section and an update firmware option and I felt perfectly capable of carrying out the upgrade. Their answer was something about the code being copyright and not being allowed to pass it about. Looks like we are stuck with paying out £160 plus postage for a simple firmware update. Alan
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Post by drumdrym on May 24, 2015 13:59:37 GMT
Further to our fast copier problem................
I'm currently looking at ways to duplicate/copy audio content from PC to multiple USB stick. We have around 120/150 blind listeners each week who rely on our charity for their local news and other content.
The audio files are spoken word recorded as mp3 11025hz and amount to around two hours of content. Any input/suggestions would be welcome. Alan
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solderdude
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Post by solderdude on May 24, 2015 17:19:16 GMT
I am afraid there is no 'easy' fast (read bulk) way to copy these files without resorting to specific programs I reckon. The speedlimit will be from the USB sticks themselves and how the host can 'feed' these sticks the info. Usually the very cheap USB sticks are really slow, up to the point that a simple video played from the device can 'stutter' even. There is some dedicated stuff but its expensive. or THESE (also has a cheaper one) Another not cheap option There is also software that can help you out. Probably the cheapest solution (+ some hubs) Another option is probably to use a lot of USB (externally powered) hubs and simply copy the files to each of the drives. Won't be very fast and probably is how you are doing this already.
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Post by drumdrym on May 25, 2015 19:48:50 GMT
Hi Frans, thanks again for your recommendations I received this USB hub today. Anker AH241 USB 3.0 Aluminum 13-Port Hub + 5V 2.1A Smart Charging Port with 12V 5A Power Adapter [VIA VL812-B2 Chipset] find it here www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Aluminum-13-Port-Charging-VL812-B2-Black/dp/B00KHJ2C3C/ref=pd_sim_ce_5?ie=UTF8&refRID=1FD0BE848CENZYRZ63KHPurchased the "USB Duplicator Now" software last night as per your link. Hooked the lot up to my computer this afternoon and I'm more than happy with the result. Using the new USB sticks which our Microboards copiers wont recognise. From a standing start....... 13 USB sticks inserted in Anker hub a folder of 32 files totalling 107mb copied from computer to sticks took 42 seconds. The USB3 cable supplied being too short to reach the USB3 ports on back of computer I had to use a standard USB cable to make the connection. Thought I should see just what the difference would be with the hub connected by straight USB3 cable only.........result......27 seconds. I'm in the studio tomorrow so I'll have a chance to see how long it takes for the Microboards copiers to do the same job.
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