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Author Topic: Phatbox question  (Read 4309 times)

Offline Shnak

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Phatbox question
« Reply #20 on: December 06, 2004, 08:10:31 pm »
Well here's an update. I tried many times at lunch and after work to make it work and it never did, always giving me the "CD-X, NO MAGAZINE" message.

So, as soon as I came back from work, I brought the cartridge inside, left it on my desk for about an hour and plugged it in its docking station. Windows recognized it normally. I open up the software and it doesn't recognizes it! I open up Windows Explorer and the removable drive that is created normally that contains the mp3s doesn't work; it prompts me to format it!!!

Something screwed it up. I was working last night, and wasn't working this morning. Last night wasn't very cold (about -15ºC). Something doesn't add up. I don't think the weather has anything to do with it... but if not, what caused this???

In any case, I'll call the dealership tomorrow and have them order a new cartridge. No other choice.

Why is it that I need to experience all kinds of troubles with my car???
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Offline Shnak

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Phatbox question
« Reply #21 on: December 06, 2004, 08:13:31 pm »
btw, I considered going with a portable harddrive player instead... but I chose the phatbox simply because the sound quality sucks thru FM frequency, and I liked that the phatbox interfaced directly with my stock radio with voice prompts... no need to take my eyes off the road when switching my songs. And no need to worry about batteries, etc.
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Mdxtasy

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Phatbox question
« Reply #22 on: December 06, 2004, 08:28:00 pm »
Northern Lights....the magnetic field generated by the earth has pooched the hard drive.  :-)

Too bad about your troubles.  To me, the concept is there, but the execution is still not quite up to standard....especially when you throw Mother Nature into it.  You can get a plug in for the power through the vehicle outlet...and the sound isn't that bad.  I'd accept it for the sake of convenience and for what it is.
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Offline Shnak

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Phatbox question
« Reply #23 on: December 06, 2004, 10:53:21 pm »
Well I formated the data partition, loaded songs on it and now it works in my car. I'll see in the next days/weeks if it happens again. I read in the PhatNoise forums that I might have a drive that is more sensitive to weather than it should; it happened to other. So... I have a one year warranty on the thing, so I won't be afraid to use it if it happens again.

Worst case scenario though would be to bring in the cartridge when I know it'll be cold during the night... not that great a deal compared to unplugging a FM transmitter and portable mp3 player every time... but still... for the price, I expect/expected a little bit more out of the PhatBox...
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Offline Drivesideways

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Phatbox question
« Reply #24 on: December 07, 2004, 01:52:48 am »
Don't take this the wrong way Shnak, but given your car's rattles and groans you probably wouldn't notice too much difference in sound quality between a hardwired solution and an FM transmitted solution.  The Golf doesn't exactly have the sound purity of a sound studio at the best of times.
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Offline awdriver

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Phatbox question
« Reply #25 on: December 07, 2004, 08:52:30 am »
I'm still considering a phatBox for my car.  I agree with Shnak - it is the preferable choice for integration and ease of use.  There are ways of making an iPod hook into a changer interface and you get the sound quality, but it's still cumbersome.  

I've never liked the FM transmitter concept.  I suppose I should check one out though - perhaps the technology has improved.

My VW certainly has rattles and vibrations - but in my case these are not the sort of things you hear when the fan or stereo are on.

Shnak - phatNoise has a significant user base - I think if there are habitual problems - you'd be seeing it on the forums - chances are it was a freak thing with your hard drive.  Hope so anyway!!!
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Offline Shnak

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Phatbox question
« Reply #26 on: December 07, 2004, 09:24:00 am »
Boy you are funny dsw. Really funny.

Yeah I hope so too Awdriver... I'll see how it acts up this morning and in the next days. Hopefully it won't happen again.
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Offline Shnak

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Phatbox question
« Reply #27 on: December 09, 2004, 08:58:53 am »
well it happened again, stupid cartridge. I contacted the VW/Audi PhatBox helpline and after a while of not knowing what he was talking about, the guy finally ended up saying it was faulty and that I needed to go to my dealership and have it replaced under warranty. I'll do that this morning.
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Mdxtasy

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Phatbox question
« Reply #28 on: December 10, 2004, 01:57:37 am »
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Offline barrie1

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« Reply #29 on: December 10, 2004, 02:18:57 am »
Sounds like a nice toy that, hope it don't squeek and rattle when placed in position.
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