Has my 8Pre died? Help please!!

[mick335]

Hello folks. I am a newbie here (which is probably good?! Means I haven't had any issues up to now) but I have spent something like 20 plus hours trying to re-install an 8Pre on a workstation.

Bottom line is, I can get the drivers (I have tried the last three releases) installed, but the system will NOT see the hardware.

It was working perfectly, but I changed my PC this week. I re-installed Win 7 (yes, it was working on Win 7 before I changed systems). I have also installed XP. to see if that was the issue but same problem.

I moved the firewire card into a different PCI slot (TI chipset by the way) and still nothing. I also uninstalled all other firewire drivers.

So, my question - is there any way of running diagnostics through the hardware to see if there may be an issue with the unit? It powers up fine, and goes through the usual start-up sequence, and displays all the clock status LEDs but I am worried now!

By the way - I have been trying to get hold of tech support for hours here. Permanently engaged.

Appreciate anyone's help.

Regards, Mick.

[Mark S]

I've found the best way to get through to them is to call customer service and not tech support. They answer that one because they expect a sale. But go to MOTU and start a service ticket there first. That way they'll start working on it first.

And, don't forget to do a manual search for any old motu driver files. I could not get any asio loaded for months. I was doing a driver rollback and the older driver package wouldn't install. After some serious cursing and head scratching I found mfwasio.sys from the new driver didn't uninstall. So the old one wouldn't install. Delete it and voila.

[TheRealRoach]

I doubt it's the hardware since your problem started exactly when you changed systems.

In any case... have you tried plugging the firewire cable into the other FW port on your 8pre? In the past this has knocked the thing back in the shape for me.

Providing that you follow MOTU's minimum systems requirements (including their firewire chipset advice) then the problem likely lies in a problem with the installation of the drivers. Were there any errors or system-hangs during installation or any other events that would indicate that it wasn't a smooth installation?

Short of re-formatting the whole system, the only thing that has revived a blind system is to:
- uninstall all motu software
- disconnect all motu hardware
- reboot
- manually edit the registry and remove all motu entries
- reboot
- reinstall drivers (with the MOTU hardware still disconnected)
- reboot
- reconnected MOTU hardware and power on.

[mick335]

Thanks Guys! I'm not sure it is so easy, as I have actually deleted the registry entries, as well as re-installing (various driver revisions, as well as various OS (including a re-format even!).

One thing I did check for was whether the FW thru port worked (either of the two, I have tried both). I plugged an external firewire drive through (a la daisy chain) and that didn't work either. Tearing my hair out here!!

I do have an MOTU MIDI interface, but I have also removed that. I also tried the device with three different FW (PCI) cards - two of which had the TI chipset.

I'll have another attempt at re-booting with NO FW devices, remove the drivers, clear the registry, and then re-install a previous driver. but I doubt this is going to work - sounds like it is time to lose my hair! (What's left!).

Thanks - I promise if I get to the bottom of this, I'll take notes!

Regards, Mick.

[CSprague]

Question? 4 or 6 wire firewire, card and cable?

[TheRealRoach]

Do you have another system that you can try it on? If it doesn't work on a few completely different systems then the unit is probably to blame.

In any case, I would find a local music-computer specialist to help you with your problem in person otherwise you're liable to spend a great deal more time working through it. The most logical place to start would be the MOTU dealer where you bought it originally. If they are not specialized enough then I'm sure they could recommend someone who does studio installs.

[mick335]

Thanks for all the advice guys - well, here's something to learn! Apparently, the FW interface has blown, due to shorting of the pins by plugging the connector in the wrong way!!!. . . .now, I thought the connectors were keyed to prevent that, but. . .it seems not. And it was dark behind my desk.

A couple of lessons to be learnt there, I guess.

So, just ordered an 896mk3. Better be worth it!!

[TheRealRoach]

Oyyyyy I've heard of that happening before. You would have to shove a FW cable in pretty damn hard to get it to fit upside down. Flashlight!

[mick335]

Flashlight and lava lamp from now on... trust me!