Motu Traveller firewire not working

[edithbread]

Hey guys,

I've been using my Motu Traveller for a couple years, and I got it as a hand me down from my dad. When I got it, one of the firewire ports seemed like it had been split apart at the bottom, as you can see here (one on the left of the picture)



i've never been able to get it to work, and since the other one was fine i didn't think much of it. but recently the one on the right also got split a bit (a friend of mine forced the firewire cable in the wrong way while i was recording his band....), and now neither work. is there a handy diy way i can fix this? and if not, who do i even take this repair to?

[kathouse]

You have a couple of options, but first here's what most likely happened.

The 6 pin firewire connector carries both POWER and signal. When it's plugged in upside down power is applied to the signal lines which usually results in blowing the interface chip in the unit where the plug was reversed.

See > FireWire Port Failures in Host Computers and Peripheral Devices
http://www.wiebetech.com/whitepapers/Fi ... ilures.php

"4.2.2.1 PORT FAILURE BY REVERSE INSERTION

In this scenario, the user inserts the cable with the connector twisted 180 degrees. An examination of the FireWire six pin ports suggests that this is not possible, but it has actually been done many times. It is more likely to happen when the port is worn, or when the port easily "spreads" when reverse inserted. Some FireWire ports are built with the metal seam at the narrow end of the port, making it much easier to reverse insert the cable. The resulting (errant) electrical connections cause Power lines to be directly connected to Data lines. This invariably fries the PHY attached to that port."

As far as repair:

You can send the unit to MOTU. I'm not sure what the current cost is for this. All I could find was this:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-end- ... nking.html

"the charge for the repair is 125 Euro" <Posted 14th November 2011

"After talking to Motu tech support (I got a reply after 1 day) I sent the device to the distributor in Germany. They said that the board is fried (Probably because I connected the FW cable once up side down - The port is pretty wide so you can connect it both ways... flaw of design + reckless user). I had to spend a bit for the repair, I think that in the US they do it for 99$." <Posted 28th November 2011

The chip that needs replaced is a $3.00 part! (http://avnetexpress.avnet.com) BUT, it is a 64 pin device and not easy to replace unless you have the right equipment to work with surface mount parts. I do NOT have the proper equipment and HAVE replaced parts like this but it was NOT EASY and one stands a VERY good chance of damaging the circuit board without the right equipment.

You can also request a FREE SAMPLE up to quantity 3 from http://www.ti.com/product/tsb41ab2.

Here is a photo of the device which is located right behind the firewire connectors. This is from my own MOTU Travler which has one damaged firewire port as I type this:



Closeup of the device:


Maybe someone that has a recent experience getting this repaired by MOTU can let us both know how much it cost for them to do it.

If you get a price from MOTU on this PLEASE let me know what they are currently charging for this repair as I now have an 828mk2 and an 896Mk3 with only ONE working firewire port and I'm not sure I want to risk damaging the device by trying to repair it myself, especially since one port is still working at this time. If like you, BOTH ports were dead I might give it a try as I do have some experience with replacing surface mount devices...

[AnthonyS]

Hello all:

I can indeed verify the cost for repair is $99, having just recently returned my 828mk3 for a FireWire issue. Basically the $99 is for a refurb replacement, since they don't actually repair the unit and send it back to you. Shipping to MOTU is on you.
This is the second time I've had an issue with my 828mk3. The first time I got a "new" one in about a week. This time it's not so fast, It's been about 10 days. Tech support explained that they wait for a new batch of refurbs to come in.

Hope this helps.....

[ssp]

You see this is what annoys me, no not the damage but the fact that these chips have equivelents that can be mounted into PLCCS sockets. This would mean that an I.C replacement is simple, the user or an electonics engineer can pull the old one out easily and then press/insert the replacement.

Now a plastic leaded chip carrier socket is small enought to allow surface mount and then the eqivelent firewire chip in that format allows for easy replacement, this in turn allows for a quicker and cheaper turnaround in repairs.

Here is a reference: http://www.digchip.com/datasheets/parts ... AG-pdf.php

Now whenever I prototype something I always look for these sockets so I can just drop whatever I.C into the build.

Just my two cents.

[Maxx]

Do you know if that part apply to Motu 8 pre as well?

You have a couple of options, but first here's what most likely happened.

The 6 pin firewire connector carries both POWER and signal. When it's plugged in upside down power is applied to the signal lines which usually results in blowing the interface chip in the unit where the plug was reversed.

See > FireWire Port Failures in Host Computers and Peripheral Devices
http://www.wiebetech.com/whitepapers/Fi ... ilures.php

"4.2.2.1 PORT FAILURE BY REVERSE INSERTION

In this scenario, the user inserts the cable with the connector twisted 180 degrees. An examination of the FireWire six pin ports suggests that this is not possible, but it has actually been done many times. It is more likely to happen when the port is worn, or when the port easily "spreads" when reverse inserted. Some FireWire ports are built with the metal seam at the narrow end of the port, making it much easier to reverse insert the cable. The resulting (errant) electrical connections cause Power lines to be directly connected to Data lines. This invariably fries the PHY attached to that port."

As far as repair:

You can send the unit to MOTU. I'm not sure what the current cost is for this. All I could find was this:
http://www.gearslutz.com/board/low-end- ... nking.html

"the charge for the repair is 125 Euro" <Posted 14th November 2011

"After talking to Motu tech support (I got a reply after 1 day) I sent the device to the distributor in Germany. They said that the board is fried (Probably because I connected the FW cable once up side down - The port is pretty wide so you can connect it both ways... flaw of design + reckless user). I had to spend a bit for the repair, I think that in the US they do it for 99$." <Posted 28th November 2011

The chip that needs replaced is a $3.00 part! (http://avnetexpress.avnet.com) BUT, it is a 64 pin device and not easy to replace unless you have the right equipment to work with surface mount parts. I do NOT have the proper equipment and HAVE replaced parts like this but it was NOT EASY and one stands a VERY good chance of damaging the circuit board without the right equipment.

You can also request a FREE SAMPLE up to quantity 3 from http://www.ti.com/product/tsb41ab2.

Here is a photo of the device which is located right behind the firewire connectors. This is from my own MOTU Travler which has one damaged firewire port as I type this:



Closeup of the device:


Maybe someone that has a recent experience getting this repaired by MOTU can let us both know how much it cost for them to do it.

If you get a price from MOTU on this PLEASE let me know what they are currently charging for this repair as I now have an 828mk2 and an 896Mk3 with only ONE working firewire port and I'm not sure I want to risk damaging the device by trying to repair it myself, especially since one port is still working at this time. If like you, BOTH ports were dead I might give it a try as I do have some experience with replacing surface mount devices...