Lo-Batt every time i try to transfer PC->MD

[mixx]

Hey i have a Net MD MZ-NF610 Type S and today i installed all the nessecary software on my new computer. now whenever i try to put songs ON the MD it starts transferring the first song in the que and when it reaches about 93%....my MD gives me the message "LoBatt" and just shuts off. Well ive used this MD on another computer perfectly fine but on this new computer it seems to be having problems. i have the latest software and everything. the odd thing is...ive changed the battery three times and it still gives me this message yet when i unplug it from the USB...the thing can play alll the music already on there and the battery meter reads full. Can someone please help me this is very frustrating. And oh i am running windows XP SP1...

and another thing...when i try to delete songs or format the thing it works perfectly fine...no "LoBatt" message, no nothing...it just works the way its supposed to....

HELP

- mixx

[The Low Volta]

hi, welcome to MDCF,

have you tried recording with the ac adapter connected?

[mixx]

hi, welcome to MDCF,

have you tried recording with the ac adapter connected?

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well...the thing is...i received the MD player without and AC adapter...so i guess ill have to do without it for now.. is there any other way?

[The Low Volta]

most Sony MD's work with a quite standard adapter, so if you look up what type it requires, you should most likly be able to find a generic type adapter that works... (on this page you can download the manual if it wasn't included as well)

can you record from an analogue source (mic or line in)?

[IdiotSavant]

well...the thing is...i received the MD player without and AC adapter...so i guess ill have to do without it for now.. is there any other way?

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About not having an AC adaptor.. you should be able to get one from any decent electronics store - just check the specifications of the adaptor in the manual.

Or failing that... ebay - there's always people selling old broken MD units for parts/accessories. (And all portable Sony units within the last 5 years have come with the same AC adaptor.)

[mixx]

most Sony MD's work with a quite standard adapter, so if you look up what type it requires, you should most likly be able to find a generic type adapter that works... (on this page you can download the manual if it wasn't included as well)

can you record from an analogue source (mic or line in)?

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nope....no can do... im just confused why it would work about...2 months ago on a different computer and nowi get the stupid message every time..but ya ill try to see if i have an ac adapter lyin around

thanks

[KrazyIvan]

nope....no can do... im just confused why it would work about...2 months ago on a different computer and nowi get the stupid message every time..but ya ill try to see if i have an ac adapter lyin around

thanks

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Are you using cheap batteries? Good heavy duty alkaline batteries are the best if you do not have access to an AC adapter.

*EDIT* If you are in the US, Wal-Mart sells a universal adapter for about $16-$20 that I have used with my N510, R900 and Sharp MD-MT170. Just picked the right connector/polarity and voltage and I was good to go.

Edited August 15, 2005 by KrazyIvan

[MDX-400]

nope....no can do... im just confused why it would work about...2 months ago on a different computer and nowi get the stupid message every time..but ya ill try to see if i have an ac adapter lyin around

thanks

Okay, there are a few things which may be causing this "problem" you're having.

Sony does recommend that you use the unit with the AC adapter while recording or transferring from NetMD, whenever possible. The reason for this is because recording takes up a good bit of current and can "pull the battery down" while it is doing so. A NetMD transfer uses even more current than a regular (realtime) recording.

The AC adapter feeds the unit 3V DC input (which lowers the current necessary to perform the operation) and it also can deliver up to 500mA of current to the unit (which is more than enough in any operation mode). However that said, the units can usually do recording/transfer on battery power without problems, but you should check the following things:

Firstly, what kind of battery are you using? If you are using a brand new alkaline battery you *should* be alright. However note that alkaline batteries are not good at handling higher current loads and start dropping their voltage easy against a high load. If you are using a "heavy-duty" (non-alkaline, non-rechargeable) battery then that is definitely a bad idea since those batteries are trash before you even started--they aren't designed for much more than very low current loads and being cheap.

If you are using the included NiMH, note that it is a "cheater" battery that Sony had used in that unit. I.e. Sony put a AAA NiMH into an AA casing, hence the 750mAh capacity. However capacity doesn't really determine current handling (though it does to a degree because pulling 2A from a 750mAh cell would be near to 3C whereas from a 2100mAh cell it would be less than 1C). To be sure NiMH batteries handle high current loads very well (hence why they work so well in digital cameras compared to alkalines). But it *may* be that you original NiMH battery is just getting a bit old. If you haven't already, please replace it with a 2100mAh or higher NiMH AA battery. This will net you about 3x the operation time in any mode as well.

If you are using a good, fully-charged NiMH battery you should not get that message.

In addition to either the battery getting old (or using the wrong battery type), what may also have happened is that the unit's pickup (laser) is has gotten weaker over time. As this happens the unit will automatically increase laser power to compensate and this will therefore also require more current from the power source. This may make tough work for even an alkaline, though I cannot see it requiring more current than an NiMH AA could provide, particularly a new & fully charged cell.

[mixx]

alright thanks for the help guys...turns out i was using a very cheap nickel cadium battery...i switched up to good ol' Duracell and it works like a charm...thanks again

[MDX-400]

alright thanks for the help guys...turns out i was using a very cheap nickel cadium battery...i switched up to good ol' Duracell and it works like a charm...thanks again

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Funny enough a rechargeable NiCd shares the same discharge characteristics as an NiMH and can handle more current draw than an alkaline (like the Duracell, unless this is an NiMH Duracell we're talking about). The same story goes for the NiCd as does for the NiMH above--if it isn't worn out and is fully charged, it should work without a problem. The best NiCd AA you can get has a capacity of about 1000mAh, whereas NiMH AAs are better for the environment and are now up to 2500mAh.

Using throw-away alkalines is fine too, but I would again recommend you get some NiMH AAs and a charger if you don't already have those. It is better for the environment (than throwing away batteries) and they'll be better for recording and last just as long for playback, AND it will be cheaper than buying batteries all the time. If you don't want to buy a charger, your NF610 will be able to charge NiMH cells (one battery only obviously)... All you do is connect the AC adapter and press the STOP button when the unit is already off. You should see the charge indicator come on. Note that your manual will tell you charge time will take something like 3hrs, but that is for the "cheater" NiMH Sony packaged... For a 2000mAh or higher AA, charging will take about 9-10 hours for a fully drained battery.

NOTE: DO NOT connect the AC adapter and press the STOP/CHARGE feature if you have an alkaline installed in the unit. The unit may attempt to charge it and you might end up with an exploded battery which may damage your unit and/or cause you personal injury. Only charge NiCd or NiMH batteries inside your NF610.