MZ-N707 Erases Disks Upon Insertion

[drewloomer]

Hi, I just inherited an MZ-N707. I can write files to it using sonic stage, and they will play as long as the minidisc player doesn't shut off. If the player shuts off or the disc is taken out forcing it to turn off, then once it is started up again it reads "BLANKDISC". Even when these discs are put into other players they will not read. I believe that the player is writing new TOC information when discs are put in. It will also erase discs recorded on other minidisc decks. I'm sure this product is out of warranty so I doubt I'll get any help from Sony. Any ideas?

[rei-gouki]

It will also erase discs recorded on other minidisc decks

By that you mean that you insert an MD with something on it in, then put it in another deck and the MD is found to be wiped? Is there any difference if the MD protect tab is on?

[drewloomer]

If the minidisc was recorded in another deck and the save tab is on then it doesn't get wiped. However if a disk is written on the N707 and then ejected and the save tab is switched on, it will still erase it when it is inserted.

[rei-gouki]

:/ I'm no tech but I would say you're right about the TOC writing. The area is accessed and the contents read into memory when you load an MD. It's a little puzzling that it erases an unprotected MD's TOC, though...

I haven't had all that much experience with the N707 and SS. I've only made a couple of MDs in that method (with SS 1.5 then again with 2.x) so I'm not completely sure when the TOC is written in a transfer atm. My recent experiences with the NH900 suggests that the TOC is held in memory (like when you edit track names and it doesn't write until you hit stop) until the you request that the disc be ejected by pressing the stop button right after a transfer. On the NH900, it also wrote the info held in buffer if it was left in idle too long while connected to the computer. I think this is probably due to the TOC area being near the center of the MD and to write TOC after every file would involve the head going all the way to the cetre area then all the way back to continue writing. Not good for the drive and doesn't help write speeds any.

From you first and second post about the MDs that are made, it appears that there is no viable TOC written as they won't play on another deck so reinserting them to the your N707 with the tab on and it still not reading does not mean that it's still erased - the TOC could just be not present... unless I misunderstood and you can make MDs that are readable by other decks if you eject it before when you think it erases it...?

But no TOC does not explain your N707 deleting MDs without the write-protect tab on. Or reading it when it's on. Otherwise it would be easy to suggest that the wormdrive is not quite right and it just isn't able to access the TOC area to write or read...

Given that you inherited it, any chance you can talk to the previous owner about it? Or is this a "it's yours if you can fix it" deal?

Edited November 25, 2005 by rei-gouki

[rei-gouki]

hmm... just noticed http://forums.minidisc.org/index.php?showtopic=4038 which could hold a better answer than what I've been giving.

[ATELETRONICS]

DUDE . THAT HAPPENED TO ME. the ribon cable on the magnetic write head is cracked. dont ust the unit unless you cut tha cable which would make it aplayer only or. fix the cable or get a new one and replace it. so do you have any interest in selling it. i could use a player only. my original 707 also has a bad laser.