Tascam 2488 "Not Stopped" error but its stopped

[merchcredit]

to preface, I just got this 2488 from someone on marketplace, he had never used it and this is my first time booting it up. After booting, it starts in a normal song screen similar to my dp02. After messing around, the menu is not able to be opened, and i cannot really do anything on the current screen, as it thinks its playing i believe???
I read a few things on this forum site about exit or stop buttons causing the system to get stuck in transport and show an error stating "Cannot do this when not stopped. Stop the transport. Press Exit". this error pops up anytime i click Menu or track edit, however the transport appears fully stopped. the time at the top is still at 0.0:00 and everything. I know the exit and stop buttons at least partially work, as when i use the exit button to close the error it works; and when i click the play button it flashes a green light, which is turned off when i click the start button. So im pretty sure its not an issue with the actual buttons. Any ideas on how to get past this error and access the menu?

 

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ive reset the device a bunch, tried booting into what chat gpt calls "safe mode" by holding stop and exit while starting up the machine, and none of this appears to work or change anything. Chat gpts last recommendation was removing the HD completely and trying to boot again, but i have no idea if its even worth trusting Ai's advice on this

 

[shredd]

I'm not a tech - and you're about as likely to get an answer from TASCAM on a device this old as you are inquiring why the US's voters backing our new "leaders" are OK with losing their businesses, their jobs, their ability to support their families, etc etc...
And - to be blunt - I'd sooner sign up for a chain-saw pedicure done by serial killer than trust ChatGPT (or any AI, for that matter) for reliable answers to ANYthing of consequence...maaaaaybe for suggestions for an oatmeal recipe...

BUT: I did run 2488's for ages and have experienced a lot of what they kick up.
There's no specific/technical info in your description, nothing tested...but it doesn't sound like your transport/function buttons.
And I'mma pretty sure that trying to boot w/o the HD present is likely to lead to OTHER error messages, as it's part of the boot process (detecting drive).
If I were me, tryin' to figger this out: I'd probably start with the firmware - even if the rig is up to date, download and re-install it, in case your unit's FW is corrupted. Next would probably be: remove the HD and test it separate from the 2488. Last-ditch effort would probably be to open 'er up and do an internal inspection for any apparent physical evidence of malfunction.
Last resort: searching out a tech who'll look at it...since getting TASCAM to do it would be a long shot (they've been out of production for 15-20 years) and would cost you more than buying a working unit (or a nice DP).

Good luck - and let us know what you did & how it goes!

 

[merchcredit]

@shredd, thank you so much for the reply, i will attempt to reinstall the FW tonight when i get home and see if that helps any further. I’ll keep you updated! much appreciated

 

[shredd]

I re-read your symptoms-description...it isn't certain that the [STOP] button is properly functional (hence the unit "thinks" it's 'moving'?).
IF you can view the standard display and hit play (and watch the time or measures counter moving) - then hit stop, be sure that it IS stopping?

 

[merchcredit]

well now that you mention that, i didn’t really mention that i’m not too sure if the play function is working properly either. when i click play, it’s light flashes green but the time stays at 0 seconds and im unable to scrub through with the scroll wheel thing either. The stop button only appears to turn off the green light, and i haven’t found any other function that the stop button will do. so it might be that the entire thing is kinda funky, or it might be just the stop button or something?? i’ll try and mess around with it again tonight to attempt to further track down where the issue is. I also purchased some deoxit just incase it is buttons so that’ll be arriving asap! might just not be stopping at all

 

[shredd]

Hm...
I'mma gonna haveta say "yuh-huh"...by cruising the forums here, you'll learn that the 2488's have a history of their transport- and function-control buttons going funky/diminishing in function/failing altogether. There's even the occasional report of the one-encoder-does-all failing.
I'm lucky - none of mine ever did any of that (I babied them and kept them clean)...but as these units age (especially if they were owned by someone who didn't treat them like that), it'd be prevalent fer sher.
You can do a forum search - many have reported on DeOxit use, with varying success. But if your buttons are truly not responding/functioning properly, it might be worth exploring...

 

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Got around to burning the iso image to a cd and trying to redo the update, the device kicks it back and says update incomplete, shut down and try again. Ive tried a few times and it isnt working, and the device does say its at the v1.02 which is most up to date. I'm honestly not too sure where to start with the hard drive on assessing if its the issue. To note further, the device is very very slow as well, and the basic functions just dont seem to be working well on the home screen. could this be due to a bad HD? is it a waste of effort to just up and replace it, as im not tooo sure what i could do to test it externally? sorry im pretty new to tinkering with old obsolete equipment lol, any and all of your help is very appreciated. thank you! (I can also send a video of the startup and how it works if thats possible on here, or upload as youtube video, as i would want to ensure its not due to user error if you think that might help)

 

[merchcredit]

making some offers on some hopefully compatible hard drives on ebay, any recommendations that will work with the OG 2488? I found one article mentioning a few on here, wasnt sure if that was outdated by now and if there was anything else that fit

 

[shredd]

Sorry to hear that the unit is giving you so much trouble...seems to be determined to be a wonky ol' relic. Kinda like me.

But - I've done plenny of that - and often with success, which somehow is sweeter than buying the thing at full price and having it work outta the box. Not sure I can explain that...

But - here's what I see:
The HD is possibly a suspect/culprit...and since the '88's use a super-basic old-school ATA HD (and has partition/size limits), you should be able to replace it purty cheep. If you have any inclination to suspect it, I'd suggest doing so.
DO be sure to get something compatible...the ATA HD standard is pretty straightforward, but why muss w it. When I had my 'neo, I bought a brand-new W/Digital HD of the very same spec/model # of the original for about $25 on ebay (and this was in the 'teens!)...yet never installed it, as the original never failed, as they're known to do. I passed it on to the next owner when he bought the 'neo. You should be able to find that info either online, or in a 2488 service manual (if you can access one)...I don't recall it.

MY inclination is still that your probs are more likely stemming from the firmware/internal O/S, which is why I suggested re-installing the FW (even if already at latest version) - in case it was smehow corrupted or otherwise not operating properly.
And of course, the internal inspection for physical damage (cracked/bad connectors, component mountings, yada...).

Of course, if you reaaallllly want a 2488, they're out there - and can be had in beautiful, fully-functional condition. OR you can go with a DP-24/32 (even an SD model), which I consider an 'evolution' of the 2488's (and improved in several ways, even if at the cost of some pretty kewl 2488 features/capabilities). And in the same $ range too...if you're patient/persistent, you could pick up a DP-24SD used on ebay for a "song" (pun intended)...

Anyway - good luck - and keep us updated on your efforts/results...

 

[merchcredit]

Fantastic new update to the story, I woke up this morning and decided to attempt redoing the software update with a new CD-R. I burned the iso and then when i went to turn on my 2488, it powers up but just stays frozen at a blank screen. its never done this before, but now it just doesnt start up at all, let me boot into update mode, or open the disc drive. I swapped out the AC cable incase it was a power issue, now im even more lost lolll. Seems like i might have to open it up and see if i can diagnose anything further, and it might just be past its time to be saved at this point.

I'd adore a DP-24/32. Sometimes used for only around $300 isnt too bad, but its sadly far outside my current price range. I stretched to afford this $100 from someone nearby my city, so I'll probably just keep using m DP-02 for now until I can afford a 24/32
I will still keep messing around with the 2488 and see what I can do to fix it up, I desperately want to give it the best shot possible before giving up on it!


Thanks again for everything, and I'll update as I can