Pulling the small remainder of my hair out.. Finally solved

[callmevicjames]

So just a quick background on myself before I get flamed for posting what probably seems like a dummy post.
I worked in a high end music instrument store as the head of the PA and recording section for 8 years. I'm no rookie and i'm well versed in most gear from 1997-2005 including the D8B. Mackie used to send me a bomber jacket every year for how much of their product I sold (huge amounts of the SRM450).
Anyways, I decided I wanted to purchase a D8B finally as I always loved tracking and recording on it back in the day so, I purchased what was supposed to be a working unit online from a reputable seller on ebay. Unit was packaged very well in custom made wooden boxes for transport and arrived without damage.
Apon inspection no items had visual clues for damage or mis treatment as well so I believed it to be good to go. Plugged everything in and crap hit the fan.
Kept getting a constant error 43 message on the display. I followed everything written on these forums to address this issue with no avail (cleaned all connectors, insured bios settings were correct etc.)
I then decided I'd just re install the v5.1 os on the unit and replace everything I could along the way so now I've got a new 25 pin connect cable, new floppy drive, new 20gb ide hd, new fan assembly for the cpu, new stick of 256 pc133 ram.
All this to say that no matter what I try to install, either the v3.0 or the v5.1 I get random messages about read errors and boot errors, on the one glorious time that the 3 disks read properly when I hit the right side "are you sure you want to install v5.1" button on the console itself I got a error message right after telling me to contact Mackie. So, I did contact the north American supplier and they suggested sending it to them for further testing to the tune of $300.
I'd really just like to get this friggin thing going lol. Can anyone suggest an avenue I haven't tried yet?
btw, I've already ordered the 2gb compact flash card and ide to cf adapter from the net and i'll be doing that mod when they arrive, for now though i'm stuck with the stock hd and the new 20gb drive I have, neither of which i'm able to install the os on.
Thanks very much in advance.

[anyhorizon]

You seem to know what you're doing but is the new RAM backwards compatible with pc100?

Just a start point.

Welcome and I'm happy to relieve you of one of the Bomber Jackets

Peter

[doktor1360]

You seem to know what you're doing but is the new RAM backwards compatible with pc100?

Just a start point.

Welcome and I'm happy to relieve you of one of the Bomber Jackets

Peter

I'd personally recommend highly to change that RAM to PC100 SDRAM and try again... it's one less 'variable' in the equation... FWIW, I'd get a 4GB CF card if I were you, a newly installed default 5.1 disk image is 2.1GB - you'll save yourself a headache...

Oh, and I'd love to have me one of those jackets... just sayin'...

Peace

[bbb]

Dok,

I have 5.1 on a 2GB CF card and had no problems installing and working with it.

Bruce

[doktor1360]

Dok,

I have 5.1 on a 2GB CF card and had no problems installing and working with it.

Bruce

I stand corrected, Bruce... I personally found the image to be ~2.1GB... but whatever works, eh...

Peace

[bbb]

Dok,

I have 5.1 on a 2GB CF card and had no problems installing and working with it.

Bruce

I stand corrected, Bruce... I personally found the image to be ~2.1GB... but whatever works, eh...

Peace

Absolutely Dok..hopefully it will work for callmevicjames as well.

Bruce

[callmevicjames]

Ok so, ordered a brand new 256meg pc100 as suggested, will advise apon arrival or what happens with the unit.
Btw, I wore those jackets proudly so most are no longer any good however, I do still have one in excellent shape that's too small for me to wear if anyone was interested. I'm taking offers on it, pm me with your email for a pic. Thanks boys, fingers crossed.

[callmevicjames]

Received new stick of pc100 256meg ram this afternoon. Installed and now I get a new error message... yeah for me!
Console reads as follows
a:$system$firmware$control.asc Firmware
Contact tech support

arg

[anyhorizon]

Are you sure the RAM is fully seated? It's a bugger of a tight fit.

Peter

[bbb]

Sounds like you might have install disk #2 or #3 in the floppy drive.