PT, Ext HDD & Firewire problems!! Help anyone??

[TimS]

Ok, I'm at a loss guys.
My PT 003R has been working perfectly up until the other day when both the 003 and my FW 400 External HDD (LaCie) were not recognised by my PC.
Its basically a fresh install of XP + SP3 (3 weeks ago) and I only have the software on the PC that I need (audio, VSTs, MS Office and a few other bits and bobs).
I cannot at all load PT now as the hardware is not recognised. No matter what I do, it wont recognise the 003R. Keeps asking to switch on hardware..
When my Ext HDD is plugged in, its not recognised on its own, but if I plug my 003 into the second port on the HDD, it shows up and I can access the drive - however, the 003 is still not recognised.
I have basically bought a new Dell XPS 420 Quad Core machine for the home studio and its been fine until now.
The FW is a onbard style (not PCI card) with 2 ports (front and rear). Its uses the Texas Instruments chip that Digi recommend so I know its compatible with PT.
As I said, its been running fine up until the end of last week, now I can't get the hardware recognised at all..
I've checked online forums at Gearsutz, the DUC, Digi, Microsoft and a few others + Google searches, but nothing really that shows up - mainly SP2 + FW patch issues.
I have posted this at the DUC also..
Anyone have any ideas on the issue - I've heard talk about the power harness in the 003 but I'm not sure what that is or if that is the actual probem.
I'm sort of left scratching my head right now - I've tried everything (even reinstalled PT thinking it might have been a corrupt driver or firmware issue)
Anyone??
Suggestions valued and appreciated.

[13thbeach]

Id try setting the 003 up on another system to determine weather the problem is the 003 or the computer. Its a first step but part of the process of elimination.

[TimS]

Id try setting the 003 up on another system to determine weather the problem is the 003 or the computer. Its a first step but part of the process of elimination.

Mat,
I've done that - tried it on my laptop which also has PT on it - same issue.

[chris p]

TimS

Have I got this right?

Computer <-> HDD, HDD not recognised

Computer <-> 003, 003 not recognised

Computer <-> HDD <-> 003, HDD recognised, 003 not recognised

Computer <-> 003 <-> HDD, ????????

Replace Computer with Laptop and same results in all 4 cases.

I'm sure that its nothing to do with today's warm up test of the CERN collider (they don't actually start colliding halons until early October). It looks more hardware than software to me, possibly firewire termination (yes, firewire does need to be terminated). Can you confirm the above, and also try connecting something like a f/w camera or the like, and let us know? We may be able to narrow it down for you.

[walding]

Also try another FW lead and different ports and see if that works.

[TimS]

TimS

Have I got this right?

Computer <-> HDD, HDD not recognised

Computer <-> 003, 003 not recognised

Computer <-> HDD <-> 003, HDD recognised, 003 not recognised

Computer <-> 003 <-> HDD, ????????

Replace Computer with Laptop and same results in all 4 cases.

I'm sure that its nothing to do with today's warm up test of the CERN collider (they don't actually start colliding halons until early October). It looks more hardware than software to me, possibly firewire termination (yes, firewire does need to be terminated). Can you confirm the above, and also try connecting something like a f/w camera or the like, and let us know? We may be able to narrow it down for you.

Chris,
Thanks for the reply.
You are correct -
Computer <-> HDD, HDD not recognised

Computer <-> 003, 003 not recognised

Computer <-> HDD <-> 003, HDD recognised, 003 not recognised

Computer <-> 003 <-> HDD, 003 not recognised.

I dont have a FW digital camera however, I'm unsure of FW termination.
I had the HDD and 003 on seperate FW ports as well originally.
I had the lid off to check connections but everything looks perfect - it was brand new.
Most of the digital ports are all board mounted..
Tim..

[chris p]

I reckon Waldings on the right track - try new f/w cables.

[TimS]

Done that too - same issue.
Even tried the new cable on the laptop to double check - same again..
Its really frustrating..

[jkhuri44]

sometimes demanding devices dont like sharing FW cards..

for example, ur 003 might be wanting its own FW 400 card...

Im not to sure about this...

have u tried installing ur 003 on another system, just to see if it is still talking ?

[TimS]

sometimes demanding devices dont like sharing FW cards..

for example, ur 003 might be wanting its own FW 400 card...

Im not to sure about this...

have u tried installing ur 003 on another system, just to see if it is still talking ?

JK,
See above - I've got 2 PT systems - desktop and laptop - same issues for both..

[jkhuri44]

sorry tim, just realised...(note to self, dont answer on forums when tired)

[chris p]

Okay, so its not the cables ...

Computer <-> 003 <-> HDD, 003 not recognised.

Is the HDD recognised or not in this scenario?

[mfdu]

does the HDD have usb2 as well? have you tried putting it on usb2? is it reliable on that format?

did you let the magic smoke out of the 003? you know that's bad - it's in there for a reason and if you let it out the digi-pixies get grumpy.

everything comes down to the magic smoke.

and having a decent local warranty!!!!

chris.mfdu

[TimS]

No, its purely a FW drive - no USB ports.
No magic smoke came out Chris - I bagged it on the way out thru at screwhole first ;-)

[mfdu]

well in that case - hows your warranty situation?

[TimS]

I bought it S/H (it was used only once though) from a mate of mine who has HD studio. He needed a one-off 003 for a mobile project.
It was never registered origianlly, so it is registered to me now.

[13thbeach]

Hey Tim,
Maybe without realizing you have messed with the firmware on the 003. I don't know how you could but its just a thought.
Check to see if there is a firmware update.

[TimS]

When I upgraded tPT to cs7 it automatically checks the firmware - didnt seem to have any problem at the time.
I have since reinstalled PT though as well..
:-(

[13thbeach]

hmmm.... I'm out of ideas. I don't know if it will help but try shoving a carrot in the DVD drive and see what that does.

[mfdu]

well, if we're going to start being helpful . . .

[walding]

reading through your posts again I'd say there is a problem with the card either in your machine or indeed machine's :( Power spikes are very unkind with FW cards and drives and you may of blown something up.

I would get them checked as soon as possible.

It is possible also that there is some extension crisis in the PC. Have you installed anything else either software or hardware?

[rick]

002 and 003 are notorious for dropping the firewire port
it needs to be repaired sound device did one for me a year or so ago for free

[walding]

002 and 003 are notorious for dropping the firewire port
it needs to be repaired sound device did one for me a year or so ago for free

AS are pee cee's

[TimS]

reading through your posts again I'd say there is a problem with the card either in your machine or indeed machine's :( Power spikes are very unkind with FW cards and drives and you may of blown something up.

I would get them checked as soon as possible.

It is possible also that there is some extension crisis in the PC. Have you installed anything else either software or hardware?

Walding,
I have UPS & spike protection.
Would that still create an issue??
What do you mean extention in the PC?

[walding]

Sorry I am from Mac world so it maybe a Mac term, but have you installed any new drivers, software or PCI/video cards as there can be problems with existing hardware and software on PC's due to incompatibilities between components as PC's are manufactured from many different companies components and often suffer from unseen incompatibilities.

That is one reason that I use Macs and always have done so for you don't as many if any.

Having said all that have you reinstalled Pro tools drivers and/or Pro tools?

[TimS]

I have since reinstalled PT though as well..
:-(

[walding]

Well I would at this point take it in for service or try it on another machine altogether out side your own two.

Sounds like the FW inside it has been damaged and as Rick said it's quite common with the 002 and 003 units.

:-(

[chris p]

TimS

Does the Device Manage acknowledge that you have a firewire bus? With any devices attached to it?

If it knows its got a bus but cannot find anything on it, it looks to me like its the 003 (and maybe the HDD as well).

Sorry - apart from that I'm out of ideas, I think you've tried all the obvious solutions.

[rick]

no one listens to me :(
inside the protools box one of the jumpers is dirty presumablity the one that routs the fw , they need to be pulled off cleaned and reinstalled and then you will back online
crappy chinese interconnects will be the problem , betcha a case of coke
i can think of 6 seperate 002/3 that this has happened to .
and there is nothing on the duc about this ! ( i wonder why )
tim its service time or diy time :)

[TimS]

All good and valid responses, so thank you all again.

Chrisp - the FW bus is recognised. It is listed at a Texas Instruments OCHI compliant 1394 bus.

The HDD DOES work when plugged in on its own, so its ruling out the FW bus port - it works on both my desktop and laptop systems fine. Only stops working when the 003 is connected.

Walding - I spoke to Sound Devices yesterday and they might be able to help - however, I bought this unit brand new from a mate who bought it directly from the Digidesign store in the US (I have a copy of his purchase receipt also) , so hopefully there will still be warranty cover.

Rick - I've had the lid off already - most of the cable connects are actually silicone glued to their reverse connection points. Which jumper are you talking about Rick??

I'm going to try a few other resources first though