828 MK 1 Not working on Intel Mac Mini :PROBLEM SOLVED!!!!!!

[btseaby]

Hi all,
I'm tearing my hair our here! I have an 828 MK 1 which has served me well. I was using it on an XP PC, it still works fine with this.

I bought a nice new Intel Mac Mini (1.8GHz, 1GB RAM, OS X 10.4.7). I downloaded the latest drivers for OS X 10.4.x for Intel Macs from Motu. I installed as per the instructions.

I plugged my 828 into my Mac. Nothing.

System profiler reports a device plugged into the Firewire port with the following details:

FireWire Bus:

Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec

0x101800:

Manufacturer: 0x1F2
Model: 0x101800
GUID: 0x1F20000004C7F
Maximum Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Connection Speed: Up to 400 Mb/sec
Sub-units:
Unknown Unit:
Unit Software Version: 0x1
Unit Spec ID: 0x1F2

The MOTU software doesn't recognise that it has an 828 plugged in.

OS X doesn't recognise that it has an second audio device.

I tested the firewire port on my Mac. It works fine with an external HDD.

The cable to the 828 is good, as it works fine with my PC still.

I uninstalled and re-installed (and re-downloaded) the driver pack several times.

I emailed MOTU asking for help. No reply as yet.

I even re-installed OS X. What is going on here? HELP!!!

I simply want a portable recording rig without a laptop. Is that too much to ask?

Thanks

Ben

23/4/07: Probelm Solved!!!

After much messing about, testing etc, I stumbled on the solution last night. Having booked a session at my local mac store to get the problem looked at, I thought I'd better run a system upgrade to patch OS X to 10.4.9.

I thought I'd give the 828 one more go after this. It worked!! Really strange though, I can't see anything in the release notes about firewire.

Thanks to all who've contributed to this one. I had a feeling it was a software/driver issue all along.

Ben

[jarok]

Hi

Open Disk Utility and Repair Disk Permissions.

I hope it helps.

jarok

[emulatorloo]

I simply want a portable recording rig without a laptop. Is that too much to ask?

You will get quicker results calling MOTU than emailing them if that is possible for you. Best to call first thing in the morning when they open, Eastern Time.

Voice: 617 576 3066 (9am-6pm, Eastern, M-F)

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I am sure your problem is something simple, relax and don't get too exasperated yet. Best to hang on to your hair and not tear it out! GOOD LUCK!!!!

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[jarok]

Did you setup configuration for 828 with the Audio MIDI Setup?

The Audio MIDI Setup is in your Utilities folder.

[btseaby]

I tried a disk repair.
I then got this response from Motu:


Please try the following for your Firewire interface:

- Try a different Firewire cable.
- Try removing all other Firewire devices.
- Try different Firewire ports.
- Try toggling the red voltage switch on the right side of the unit with the unit OFF. Do this 5 or 6 times, then set it to the correct position and try again.

- Try the unit with a different computer, if possible.

- If you use a PCI Firewire card, check to make sure your card uses the Texas Instruments or Lucent chipset.

- Try reinstalling drivers:


Goto Macintosh HD > System > Library > Extensions
and trash the file, "MOTU Firewire Audio.kext."

Go into the Applications folder and trash all 3 MOTU Consoles. Empty the trash.

Reboot your machine, run a Repair Disk Permissions from your Apple Disk Utility, then reinstall our most recent drivers
from our website being sure that unit is NOT turned on.
Reboot and turn on your device.



Thanks for writing,

Nathan

MOTU Tech[/quote]

Tried the above. Still no joy.
I'm going to borrow an 828 from a friend over the weekend and try that. My other option might be to speak to Apple, but I strongly suspect it's a MOTU issue.

One more thought I had was to install XP under bootcamp on the mini and see if the 828 works in that! Kinda defeats the object though.

Anyone any futher ideas?

Ben

[emulatorloo]

Tried the above. Still no joy.
I'm going to borrow an 828 from a friend over the weekend and try that. My other option might be to speak to Apple, but I strongly suspect it's a MOTU issue.

One more thought I had was to install XP under bootcamp on the mini and see if the 828 works in that! Kinda defeats the object though.

Anyone any futher ideas?

Ben

Try speaking to motu --

that is, actually calling them on the telephone.

In my experience it is way better than email to do so. Call first thing in the morning when they open.

Voice: 617 576 3066 (9am-6pm, Eastern, M-F)

Do not install bootcamp/XP unless you really want to. (UGH I say!)

[btseaby]

I had a phone conversation with Motu this afternoon (i.e. 9am EST). They were quite helpful. I sent the serial # of my unit, and they're going to look to see if there were any known issues with the unit (or that batch).

I guess I could have a faulty 828 - has anyone seen them fail in such a way that they work with some firewire cards and not others? Pretty unlikely I'd guess, but you never know.

Anyone got a known working 828 mk1 they want to sell?

[emulatorloo]

I had a phone conversation with Motu this afternoon (i.e. 9am EST). They were quite helpful. I sent the serial # of my unit, and they're going to look to see if there were any known issues with the unit (or that batch).

I guess I could have a faulty 828 - has anyone seen them fail in such a way that they work with some firewire cards and not others? Pretty unlikely I'd guess, but you never know.

Anyone got a known working 828 mk1 they want to sell?

I have heard of the firewire ports getting blown on them if a cable gets inserted the wrong way. Who the heck knows???

from what I understand if your 828 is busted, motu will fix it for a pretty cheap flat rate.

Keep us posted.

[snotis]

Hi ! I have bought a used 828 Mk1, at an auction. I doesn't seem to work. I can't find an pdf-manual at motu.com. I read that the 828 should sequence it front-panel LEDs, at power-on, even if it's not connected to a computer. Can anyone confirm this?

/Snotis

[bkshepard]

I sent my 828 (Mk 1) back to MOTU for RMA repair back in January and it took them more than two months to get it back to me. Be prepared to be without an interface for awhile if you send it in.

[btseaby]

The plot thickens...
I've just borrowed another 828 which is known to work with an intel macbook pro.

Still not working.

To check the firewire on the mac, I networked it to my pc via the port. No problems there.

This has GOT to be a driver issue!! Motu haven't responded to my recent emails yet. I'll call them tomorrow!

Snotis - sounds like yours is dead - the LEDs should cycle on the front whether connected to a PC or not. I'd pop the lid and check the PSU fuse (unplug from the mains first!)

There are manuals online from Motu I think - you need to register on their website.

[emulatorloo]

I can't find an pdf-manual at motu.com.

No PDF manuals -- contact motu, I believe they will sell you a hard copy for a reasonable price.

---

https://www.motu.com/store

or maybe customer service here:

http://www.motu.com/other/feedback

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[snotis]

Cheers!
Anyone know what the repair cost would be for a broken 828mk1.
Is it a fixed price or do they bill by the hour?
Two month repair time seem overlong.

[emulatorloo]

Cheers!
Anyone know what the repair cost would be for a broken 828mk1.?

As I understand it, it is a flat rate repair. Contact MOTU:

http://www.motu.com/other/feedback/tech ... email.html

Two month repair time seem overlong.

One person's experience may not be the same as yours. Too bad he had such a long wait.

Typically I have heard their turnaround is decent.