Hello, is mdd boardview available somewhere, exceptionally for cpu card

I have the same laptop and I'm in the exact same situation. I tried several modified extensions but I couldn't. I read the OFW commands but I'm a beginner and typing only those strings gives me errors. Do I have to write something else before or after inserting them? Could you see what you need to write when OFW starts? Sorry but I'm just starting to learn OFW. Let me know thanks!

The "> " is the OFW prompt and should not be included. The spaces around the first double quote ('"') are  NOT optional. Otherwise I don't know what could have gone wrong.

I have the same laptop and I'm in the exact same situation. I tried several modified extensions but I couldn't. I read the OFW commands but I'm a beginner and typing only those strings gives me errors. Do I have to write something else before or after inserting them? Could you see what you need to write when OFW starts? Sorry but I'm just starting to learn OFW. Let me know thanks!

that is a common problem with old roland gear, they removed about 15% of the OS9 drivers from their website(s) because of licensing issues and/or ignorance (lacking the UA-4fx CD here.)

Quote from: GaryN on November 17, 2025, 03:13:33 PM

OMS and/or Freemidi drivers are not device-specific. They are generic comm tools that work with all things MIDI. So, any OMS driver will work.

That's not true, lots of MIDI interfaces need an extra driver to be installed for OMS to see them.

Well…… technically, you're correct. And… technically, my comment was unworthy and I apologize. I was thinking (ouch) about the OMS app while talking about drivers.
My Opcode Studio 5 would be a brick with a PSU if not for the S5 OMS driver.

What's confusing here is that the generation of OMS AND the DR-880 we're talking about both existed in the netherworld just before USB Class-Compliant devices. The DR is not an interface although it has some of the characteristics of one and the characteristics of a MIDI instrument as well.

Anyway, I don't know where to find a specific DR OMS driver either. I do have and have attached the Opcode USB-OMS driver to the last post in the hope that it will at least enable ioguie to see the DR and maybe it will kinda sorta work over USB…?
I am pretty sure that it would work just fine over 5-pin MIDI but that would require an interface that he doesn't have to the computer he hasn't specified.

Are we havin' fun yet?

OMS and/or Freemidi drivers are not device-specific. They are generic comm tools that work with all things MIDI. So, any OMS driver will work.

That's not true, lots of MIDI interfaces need an extra driver to be installed for OMS to see them.

It's a shame Roland don't have the drivers on their site anymore. I think I downloaded OS 9-related software from the comparatively recently. I can find USB OMS drivers for a few other products, like the UM-880 and SD-20. There's a small chance it might be the same driver, but probably not.

You can find at the link below

http://macintoshgarden.org/apps/mac-os-922-powermac-g4-mdd

actually CHATGPT says u can; i asked chatGPT does the boss dr-880 support midi over USB to a computer?

This is what happens when you let an AI do your thinking for you. It won't analyze or evaluate YOU or your question first to see if there are other factors you've omitted to find out what you really want before answering.

So, I tried Chat GPT as well but instead, I asked:

Can I connect a Boss DR-880 over MIDI to a vintage Macintosh running OS9?

… and I got:

_________________________________
✅ What the DR-880 Provides

The Boss DR-880 has:

Standard 5-pin DIN MIDI In/Out

USB, but only for data backup, not for MIDI.
→ So you must use the 5-pin DIN ports for OS9.

✅ What a Mac OS9 Machine Needs

Mac OS9 does not support modern USB-MIDI class-compliant devices.
It requires OMS or FreeMIDI compatible interfaces.

Compatible MIDI Interfaces for OS9

You need one of these older MIDI interfaces:

USB (OS9-compatible, with drivers)

MOTU FastLane USB

MOTU MIDI Express XT USB (OS9 version)

Opcode OMS-compatible USB interfaces (rare but exist)

Midiman/M-Audio Midisport 2×2 or 4×4 (must have the legacy OS9 drivers)

Serial (ADB-style modem/printer port MIDI interfaces)

If your Mac has serial ports (older beige Macs):

Opcode Studio 64X / 128X

MOTU MTP/AV serial version

MOTU Micro Express (serial)

Serial interfaces also work with OMS or FreeMIDI.

✅ Software Compatibility

On OS 9 you will typically use:

OMS (Opcode MIDI System)

Most OS9 MIDI apps require OMS. It's the safest choice.

Compatible with:

Cubase VST 5

Logic Audio 4 / early 5

Digital Performer 2–3

Vision DSP (Opcode)

Once the interface + OMS is installed, the DR-880 will appear as a MIDI device you can sync, trigger, or sequence.

👍 Typical Working Setup

Boss DR-880 MIDI Out → Interface MIDI In

Interface MIDI Out → DR-880 MIDI In

Install OMS 2.3.8 on the Mac.

Install the OS9 driver for your MIDI interface.

Launch OMS Setup and create a device for the DR-880.

At that point:

You can use the Mac to sequence the DR-880

Or use DR-880 pads to trigger software synths

And sync tempo over MIDI clock or MTC

⚠️ Common Pitfalls

Most modern USB-MIDI interfaces will not work in OS9 (no drivers).

The DR-880's USB port cannot be used for MIDI, so don’t expect it to show up on the Mac via USB.

You must use 5-pin DIN MIDI for everything.

✔️ Bottom Line

Yes, you can connect a DR-880 to a Mac running OS9, as long as you use an OS9-compatible MIDI interface and install the proper OMS drivers.

If you'd like, tell me which Macintosh model and which MIDI interface you have, and I can give you a precise step-by-step setup guide.
_____________________________________


So, ChatGPT gives pretty much the same answer I did when asked "correctly" BUT it does contradict itself more than a little.
Actually, I'm more than a little impressed with ChatGPT.   IF, you ask the right question, you can get a pretty competent and ridiculously detailed answer… even on a "obsolete" subject such as this.

What it does NOT mention however, is the DR-880 USB driver that ioguie is looking for to begin with!

Actually, there has long been an Opcode USB-OMS driver. The performance has always been wanting. It's what is used when one connects the Keyspan USA-28X USB-to-serial adaptor. I used that adaptor for a long time until I finally fell across a Keyspan SX Pro Serial PCI Card. That bypasses the USB system entirely and the timing is an order of magnitude better. Admittedly, that's driving a Studio 5lx and a LOT of MIDI simultaneously. Whether a USB connection will be seriously detrimental to ioguie using a DR-880 I cannot say but it might just work…… or not.

Anyway, I wouldn't be surprised if the "Boss DR-880 USB-OMS MIDI Driver", is nothing more than a rebranded original Opcode USB-OMS driver, which I have. BUT, it was Stuffed in a .sit.hqx archive which (HEY KNEZ!) the Forum won't allow to be uploaded so when I get a chance, I'll go to OS9 and redo it without the hqx.

EDIT: ADDED 11/19


Anyway, back to Chat GPT. I was impressed enough to ask this:

How can I fix a Macintosh G4 MDD PSU?

Try it… I think you'll be surprised!

Hi, Does anyone know where I can find the original or close to the original OS9/OSX that came with the Power Macintosh G4 867 DP (MDD)? The MAcOS9lives version does not work that well.

Thanks

It should already be on the Hotline server since I had it on this site for years.

It was an ISO on the DP5 and also had the update files