Newbie question about MFX plugs

[yeskeys]

I just got a d8b used. Could someone let me know if this assumption is correct?
If I download the v3 Plugin pack from the Mackie site, format and copy to the 3 floppies, then put in the first floppy and boot the system, it should start to install the software from the first disk, right? Mine acts like it's loading and then the drive stops spinning and there is an asterisk on screen. No text prompts, etc. If I then pop in the second disk, nothing happens.
Should it ask for the second disk?

This system does not appear to have any plugin software on the drive. The plugins are housed on the CPU, right?
I can't access any plugins up in the Fat Channel area. So I'm assuming that the plugins are missing from the hard drive. Is that correct?

Once I manage to get them installed, will I have to verify/register the Mackie stock plugins before they will be accessible?

Thanks in advance. Cool forum btw.
best,
Eric

[anyhorizon]

I just got a d8b used. Could someone let me know if this assumption is correct?
If I download the v3 Plugin pack from the Mackie site, format and copy to the 3 floppies, then put in the first floppy and boot the system, it should start to install the software from the first disk, right? Mine acts like it's loading and then the drive stops spinning and there is an asterisk on screen. No text prompts, etc. If I then pop in the second disk, nothing happens.
Should it ask for the second disk?

It sounds like you haven't created the floppies correctly. You don't just copy the disc images to the floppies, you have to use an extraction program that creates the floppies. If you have done this correctly and it's still not working, then your floppy(s) might be crook. Try again with new and freshly formatted ones... and yes, the system asks you to put in the second and third? disc(s).

This system does not appear to have any plugin software on the drive. The plugins are housed on the CPU, right?
I can't access any plugins up in the Fat Channel area. So I'm assuming that the plugins are missing from the hard drive. Is that correct?

The plug ins are software installed on the HD. I think you need to read the manual to grasp how they're implemented.

Once I manage to get them installed, will I have to verify/register the Mackie stock plugins before they will be accessible?

Seems we answered this over at the other forum.

Peter

[yeskeys]

Thank you Peter. I was finally able to install the v8 plugin pack when I realized the 'onscreen' prompts were on the console display, not the external monitor!!!!
Good grief.
Anyway, I easily got all the standard Mackie plugs to work great. I appreciate your input.

Now I'm trying to decide which recording medium to use. I can get a few DA88's and a 38 for pretty cheap, but whether or not they work properly is an unknown. Anybody on the forum need to dump machines off?

While I own a ProTools rig, I am looking for another system for a different installation - - my living room (!)... where I can hook up a bass, keybd, mic, guitar modeller, etc. and easily record ideas without the overhead of a computer,etc. Just roll tape and put ideas down. The Tascam looks promising as the d8b transport can run the machine (correct?- using MMC?). I know I need a sync card to do that. I know midi inside and out so I'm not concerned with getting that going.

How much are Mackie HDR units running these days?

thanks,
Eric