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Performed 8pre firmware update .... now 8pre doesn't work!
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 7:34 pm
by whitehouse17
Anyone got any advice? I have contacted tech support at MOTU but I am recording tomorrow and now the 8pre is not being recognised by the computer. After turning it off and on all it shows is the "UP" lights on the front panel like when it was updating.
I have the latest drivers installed.
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 9:59 pm
by INMT
Did you remember to restart your computer too?
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:04 pm
by whitehouse17
yes I have turned both off and on ... the thing is ... it shouldn't have to be plugged into the computer at all to work, it has been designed to work as a stand alone converter ... having said that it doesn't work with the computer or without it.
Any other suggestions?
Posted: Sun Jun 29, 2008 10:52 pm
by cuttime
Reset the unit per MOTU technical support:
Quote:
Hello,
Thank you for your email.
Please try the following for your Firewire interface:
- Try a factory reset - push the Setup knob, turn it all the way to the right and follow the directions on the LCD. (828 mk II, Traveler and UltraLite ONLY)
- Try setting both your Optical Input and Optical Output in the MOTU Console to ADAT.
- 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. (not applicable to Traveler or UltraLite)
- Try powering the unit via Firewire or DC power (Traveler and UltraLite ONLY)
- 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.
End Quote
Make sure that the unit is OFF when reinstalling the drivers. Good luck, and I hope you get some sleep.
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 4:25 am
by 1nput0utput
I think I read somewhere that the new 8pre firmware adds an undocumented factory default reset feature. Right now your 8pre is stuck in the firmware update mode, which is strange. Maybe resetting it will knock it back to normal, although I'm not sure if this will work if it's stuck in the update mode.
Disconnect the FireWire cable, and power it on. After it boots up, hold down the knob button for between 5 and 10 seconds. At this point, I think you should see "D?" displayed on the meter LEDs. Turn the knob to the right to execute the reset.
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:58 am
by whitehouse17
cuttime wrote:
- Try a factory reset - push the Setup knob, turn it all the way to the right and follow the directions on the LCD. (828 mk II, Traveler and UltraLite ONLY) this doesn't apply to the 8pre
- Try setting both your Optical Input and Optical Output in the MOTU Console to ADAT. I can't change any settings on the unit
- Try a different Firewire cable. Tried 3 different cables but with no joy
- Try removing all other Firewire devices. Tried this too
- Try different Firewire ports. And tried this
- 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. (not applicable to Traveler or UltraLite) the 8pre doesn't have one
- Try powering the unit via Firewire or DC power (Traveler and UltraLite ONLY) not possible on this unit
- Try the unit with a different computer, if possible. tried this, but to no avail
- If you use a PCI Firewire card, check to make sure your card uses the Texas Instruments or Lucent chipset. not applicable
- Try reinstalling drivers: tried all this
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.
End Quote
Make sure that the unit is OFF when reinstalling the drivers. Good luck, and I hope you get some sleep.
What was good about your suggestions was it gave me something to do ... it made me feel like I was working towards fixing the problem ... the sad thing is the problem isn't fixed
Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 11:59 am
by whitehouse17
1nput0utput wrote:Disconnect the FireWire cable, and power it on. After it boots up, hold down the knob button for between 5 and 10 seconds. At this point, I think you should see "D?" displayed on the meter LEDs. Turn the knob to the right to execute the reset.
Again it was a good suggestion ... but nothing happened ... it still appears stuck in firmware update mode
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:59 am
by cosmicbdog
Any luck whitehouse?? My 8pre isn't turning on - wondering if you worked out how to solve this...
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 2:42 pm
by whitehouse17
I have not had any joy yet ... I contacted MOTU tech support and this is the info they gave me to reset the unit
"Have you tried running the firmware upgrade again?
Have you tried resetting the factory defaults?
-Power the unit on.
-Press and hold the Volume knob until "D?" appears on the LED's.
-Turn the same knob clockwise. "OK" should appear on the LED's."
I tried those things but with no desired result.
They have told me the unit needs repair so I have sent it to them.
However I can't see this info helping you if you can't turn the unit on!
When did you purchase the 8pre?
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:41 pm
by cosmicbdog
I just got it in the last week. 2nd hand though. The seller said it is still under warranty before I bought it. I've been trying to contact both the seller and motu and neither are answering to either phone or email. Feeling pretty screwed.
I've tried every reset to defaults thing there is. No 'D' turns on on mine it doesn't even seem like power gets to the thing. I'm not sure where a 'D' would even appear on it as there doesn't look like the space for it.
The support for motu products seems pretty dismal besides the user community. damn

Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:49 pm
by whitehouse17
So have you registered the product under your name?
Once you have set up an account you can use a techlink and a support person will respond to your question. It can take a couple of days to get a response.
I had some trouble phoning too ... and I am calling the US from here in New Zealand which was an added frustration. However I did eventually get through.
I am sorry I can't be of more help.
Have you ever had the unit powered up? Or has this happenend more recently?
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:14 pm
by cosmicbdog
The seller told me he transfered it to my name. I also registered it on the site and submitted a techlink. Fingers crossed they will respond!
I'm in Oz so catching them in the hours they are open is a challenge too. It has never powered up since I've had it.
I am wondering if I may have fried the power in it... I didn't realise there was 115v switch on the side and I believe australia are all 230v and I plugged it in from the outset at 115v. Do you think that would blow a fuse?
So did you have to send it all the way to the states?? Like there is no NZ or Australia depot?
Thanks anyways bro. Appreciate it.
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:26 pm
by whitehouse17
I just had a chat to a friend of mine who is an electrician and explained your situation to him. He said that you have most likely fried it. Having said that he would suspect that, you have probably only fried the fuse. He said it may have an in line fuse in it, most likely glass. You could open the unit and see if there is one there. If there is, you are probably in luck
If you don't feel comfortable opening the unit and checking you could take it to your local music/electronics specialist.
Where abouts are you in OZ?
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:52 pm
by cosmicbdog
I'm excited!! Thanks heaps... a ray of hope
I hit a wall at the alan keys... off to the handy store and electrician.
I'm currently in qld, south east coast. Really want to come and check out the pristine NZ. Must be cold there at the moment though
I'll let you know how I go. thanks again.
Posted: Tue Jul 08, 2008 8:56 pm
by whitehouse17
Cold it is ... took my kids to see snow for the first time in their lives ... heat pumps are good!
Let me know how you go