828 mkii FW problem

[thebrainwasher]

Hi!! Im new around here and I've come seeking advice.
I recently picked up an 828 mkii firewire, I know it's an old device
I actually wanted it for hooking up FX gear, as my only other interface is a 2x2 one.
But its firewire connectivity seems bad
It's giving me the same problem that a user posted on video on this same forum a long time ago.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiUcCZpJITo&t=1s

I've come across several folks on forums (including this one) that described this same problem, but none that actually reported back with being able to fix the problem, without sending the unit back to Motu.

Obviously with this thing being so old I can't do that
But I've read that the firewire IC on these things tend to go bad
There's someone around that knows something about this, or had/has one of these?
Maybe I could try swapping that IC myself...
Or maybe it would be best to use it as an expander, but my 2x2 has no optical ins, so it would mean I'll have to pick up another device.
That's the only reason I want to give it a chance on getting it fixed. Any suggestions?

Thank you in advance

[mikehalloran]

Apparently. this is the same guy who made that video.

https://gearspace.com/board/low-end-the ... nking.html

MOTU does not provide schematics or parts lists nor do they accept old units for repair. The very last 828mkII was made almost 18 years ago.

Other than trying a factory reset, I have no idea if there's anything you can do.

To reset a MOTU 828mkII to its factory default settings:

Disconnect the firewire cable from the 828mkII

Press and turn the Setup knob until the LCD screen displays Clock Source

Turn the Setup knob all the way to the right

The LCD screen should display Factory Defaults Press [SELECT]

Press the Select knob

The LCD screen should display Are you sure? Push VAL for Yes

Press the Value knob to confirm

The clock LED will flash when the reset is complete

Reconnect the 828mkII to the firewire port on your computer

A factory reset will clear all data and settings from a device, returning it to its original state.

To connect this to a Thunderbolt equipped Mac, you will need three adapters: FW400–800, the discontinued Apple FW-TB (plenty on eBay), if TB3/4 you will also need the Apple TB2–TB3 adapter still in production.

The correct drivers are found on the download page for the 828mk3 Hybrid (the older 828s, not being supported, do not show the current drivers).

Mine works fine over Sonoma 14.6.1.

[thebrainwasher]

Thanks for the fast response mike!

That's indeed the guy, he also made a post here on motunation asking about that too, but got no reply.

I've been reading alot of stuff, and some people also refer to the PCI card being the problem in many cases.
In my case I bought a very basic FW card on Aliexpress thinking that it would do the trick
But seems that firewire tends to be a little picky when it comes to controller interfaces, even more now that has become legacy technology.
So im going to try getting a new PCIe card with the recommended chip for use with modern machines.

I think it narrows down to these two possibilities, either it's the card and it hope so, or my chip fried unfortunately.
Thank u for ur suggestions anyway and pray for me being able to use this fine old machine.
Greetings from

[mikehalloran]

Thanks for the fast response mike!

That's indeed the guy, he also made a post here on motunation asking about that too, but got no reply.

I've been reading alot of stuff, and some people also refer to the PCI card being the problem in many cases.
In my case I bought a very basic FW card on Aliexpress thinking that it would do the trick
But seems that firewire tends to be a little picky when it comes to controller interfaces, even more now that has become legacy technology.
So im going to try getting a new PCIe card with the recommended chip for use with modern machines.

I think it narrows down to these two possibilities, either it's the card and it hope so, or my chip fried unfortunately.
Thank u for ur suggestions anyway and pray for me being able to use this fine old machine.
Greetings from

Are you running Windows? Your signature says macOS.

PCIe FireWire cards for PCs need to be built around on the Texas Instruments chip for the best chance of success.

As for your 828, you can try the following: Open the unit and check for obvious damage including broken circuit boards, cracked solder joints, heat damage around the FW ports, burnt resistors, bulging capacitors etc. If none found, burnish all connections including ribbon cables and ICs by unplugging and replugging. Spray a little DeOxIt into each of the ports.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000 ... =UTF8&th=1

It's a Hail Mary but works more often than one might think. The tiniest bit of corrosion anywhere can take a piece of gear out of commission.

[thebrainwasher]

Im actually on a Hackintosh PC, so I've got dual boot with macOS and Windows

Both OSes can see the FW card, but none can detect the MOTU thru it
Card is based on Texas Instrument chip TSB43AB22A
Now I've ordered another PCIe card to see. This one based on XIO2213B
Which I think is better supported from what I've read
But we'll see

I tried opening the unit, but I can't really because one of the long bolts that hold the cover is stripped so badly, that it doesn't even has head, nor anything for me to get it out. but I managed to see the firewire IC inside the motu but it didn't seem to be damaged or shorted

Anyway, maybe this another card will help, or i will seek another solution