Error (-6086) on Windows XP PT LE 7.3.1

[Dusan]

Hello,

I am trying to use ProTools 7.3.1 Mbox2 on a Windows computer - a Dell 690 workstation with Windows HP Pro SP2.

I keep getting the following error message:


"The operating system held off interupts for too long. If this occurs frequently, try increasing the "H/W Buffer Size" in the Playback Engine Panel. (-6086)."

After following all your guidelines (except throwing out my quad-core processors) and spending hours, I still have the same problem, even with a single mono track being played.

I narrowed this down to the behaviour of Mbox and Mbox2 ASIO driver, since M-Powered ProTools LE with BlackBox works on the same computer with a standard setup works like a dream.

However I borrowed M-Povered and BlackBox and need to decide what to do with MBox2.

Can anybody help?

[spkguitar]

I found this information ins one of your previous posts. Is it still valid?

<<< Computer Overview >>>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

< System >
Host Name: FINSOFT-B195F13
User: finsoft
Workgroup: WORKGROUP

< Processor >
Model: 2x Intel(R) Xeon(R) CPU E5345 @
2.33GHz
Speed: 2.33GHz
Cores per Processor: 4 Unit(s)
Threads per Core: 1 Unit(s)
Type: Quad-Core
Internal Data Cache: 4x 32kB Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way set,
64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache: 2x 4MB ECC Synchronous, ATC, 16-way set, 64
byte line size, 2 threads sharing

< Mainboard >
Bus(es): ISA X-Bus PCI PCIe IMB USB FireWire/1394 i2c/
SMBus
MP Support: 2 Processor(s)
MP APIC: Yes
System BIOS: AT/AT COMPATIBLE DELL - d
Mainboard: Dell Inc. 0MY171
Total Memory: 3GB DDR2-SDRAM FB-DIMM

< Chipset 1 >
Model: Intel Corporation 5000X Chipset Memory
Controller Hub
Front Side Bus Speed: 4x 333MHz (1332MHz data rate)
Total Memory: 4GB DDR2-SDRAM FB-DIMM
Memory Bus Speed: 2x 333MHz (666MHz data rate)

< Video System >
Desktop Monitors/Panels: 2
Monitor/Panel: Default Monitor
Monitor/Panel: Default Monitor
Monitor/Panel: Dell E228WFP
Monitor/Panel: Dell E228WFP
Adapter: NVIDIA Quadro FX 4500

< Physical Storage Devices >
Removable Drive: Floppy disk drive
Hard Disk: WDC WD2500JS-60NCB1 (233GB)
Hard Disk: WDC WD2500JS-60NCB1 (233GB)
Hard Disk: Kingston DataTraveler II+ USB Device
CD-ROM/DVD: PHILIPS DVD+-RW DVD8801 (CD 48X Rd, 48X Wr)
(DVD 6X Rd, 6X Wr)

< Logical Storage Devices >
Hard Disk (C:): 233GB (216GB, 93% Free Space) (NTFS)
Hard Disk (D:): 233GB (90GB, 39% Free Space) (NTFS)
CD-ROM/DVD (E:): N/A
3.5" 1.44MB (A:): N/A
Removable Drive (F:): 1.9GB (546MB, 28% Free Space) (FAT32)

< Peripherals >
Serial/Parallel Port(s): 2 COM / 1 LPT
USB Controller/Hub: Intel(R) 631xESB/6321ESB USB Universal Host
Controller - 2688
USB Controller/Hub: Intel(R) 631xESB/6321ESB USB Universal Host
Controller - 2689
USB Controller/Hub: Intel(R) 631xESB/6321ESB USB Universal Host
Controller - 268A
USB Controller/Hub: Intel(R) 631xESB/6321ESB USB Universal Host
Controller - 268B
USB Controller/Hub: Intel(R) 631xESB/6321ESB USB2 Enhanced Host
Controller - 268C
USB Controller/Hub: USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub: USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub: USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub: USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub: USB Root Hub
USB Controller/Hub: USB Mass Storage Device
USB Controller/Hub: USB Composite Device
FireWire/1394 Controller/Hub: Texas Instruments OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394
Host Controller
Keyboard: HID Keyboard Device
Mouse: HID-compliant mouse
Human Interface: HID-compliant consumer control device
Human Interface: HID-compliant device
Human Interface: USB Human Interface Device
Human Interface: USB Human Interface Device

< Power Management >
Mains (AC) Line Status: On-Line

< Operating System(s) >
Windows System: Microsoft Windows XP/2002 Professional
5.01.2600 (Service Pack 2)
Platform Compliance: Win32 x86

< Network Services >
Network Drivers Enabled: No

< Performance Tips >
Notice 5901: CD 1x= 150kB/s; Exercise caution when
comparing measured versus published ratings.
Notice 5902: DVD 1x= 11.08Mbps Exercise caution when
comparing measured versus published ratings.
Tip 2: Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip
is selected for more information about the
tip.

Have you tried plugging the mbox2 into a different USB port? Digidesign hardware is somewhat "finnicky" when it comes to hardware and specifics, more so than other hardware such as the M-Audio units. Your system seems to be one of the recommended ones, so there doesn't seem to be an issue there.

There have been instances where certain USB ports in the same PC cannot adequately provide enough power across the USB bus to run the Mbox2 properly. Sometimes this effect is limited to only one or a set of USB ports in the same computer. This is especially evident on the Macbook, and the Macbook Pro, where only the front USB port can be used to run the mBox USB devices. I would imagine might be experiencing this same problem with your Dell, so try using different USB ports.

[Dusan]

yes, the information is still valid.

Thank you very much for your advice - I tried all permutations, even connecting a powered USB hub between, to provide the power, but no success.

Everything points to the drivers, since other audio software that behaves normaly when it uses built-in audio card starts having problems with the playback if I select it to use ASIO driver.

[Dusan]

I am contemplating selling MBox 2 and getting 003 Rack?

What are the chances that a firewire interface would show the same problem?

[JPS]

I'm not sure of the things you have tried, but I would include:
- record to a different HD
- changing out the USB cable to the Mbox2.
- disabled the speedstep in the bios
- run the hotfix.

If you basically have a "Digi OK" system, you should be able to iron out your problems.

As far as firewire interfaces, they can also have the -60xx problems. I've had a problem with my IBM laptop and a Digi-qualified Pryro fireware PCMCIA card. I was getting the -6086 errors. I replaced the card and still got the same errors. I changed to another cheaper firewire non-qualified card and it worked better. But it didn't completely stop the errors until I changed some power setting for the PCI bus... I really don't know which one it was, but it has been great since then. So, I would make sure all the "save power" settings are diabled before selling your interface.

[yellowjacket]

Have you disabled your network adapters in the device manager and ran msconfig?

[Dusan]

Thanks for a kind message John, but I spent so much time on this problem without getting anywhere that I can not justify spending another two weeks chasing my tail.

It is like back in the nineties when computers and music were more like black magic.

I would prefer playing in front of the audiance anytime, even if they booed me off stage - at least I would know I was the one to blame.

Yes, I have first tried every thing Digidesign recommends, but there was no difference - the playback would last five seconds more or three seconds less, but there was no regualarity so I was trying the wrong things.

The only things I didn't switch off were graphic card, keyboard and mouse, and only thing I have achieved was feeling like an idiot, since none of the Digidesign recommendations were relevant.

Your suggestion that the problem may come from not enough power through USB makes sence, since M-Audio's Black Box has its own power supply and it works witout a glich.

But I tried all the USB ports on the computer without effect.

There is an option of getting a USB card which can source enough power, but the ones that can cost almost as much as MBox. And it would be a shot in the dark - after all I do not have a confirmation from Digidesign that this is the root of the problem (the error message goes on about interupts and buffer size, but in my case it is wrong).

Unless Digidesign comes up with some kind of a solution, MBox 2 will hit eBay, and may the new owner have more luck than me.

Thanks,

Dusan

[Dusan]

Have you disabled your network adapters in the device manager and ran msconfig?

Been there, done that, t-shirt's on the way...

[spkguitar]

There's one solution that I've forgotten about, that I haven't seen you mention doing.

Have you made sure that all of the USB root hubs are set to not "Allow the computer to turn off this device when not in use"? Having that option turned on has been known to cause errors with the mbox units in the past.

That's the only other thing I can think of at this point.

And if an internal USB card is going to cost as much as the mBox, you're shopping at the wrong computer stores.

[Dusan]

There's one solution that I've forgotten about, that I haven't seen you mention doing.

Have you made sure that all of the USB root hubs are set to not "Allow the computer to turn off this device when not in use"? Having that option turned on has been known to cause errors with the mbox units in the past.

Yes, thank you. I didn't go through all the details.

I have switched off anything that is related to clever power management and it still didn't help.

And if an internal USB card is going to cost as much as the mBox, you're shopping at the wrong computer stores.

Internal USB card <guaranteed to deliver enough power> - there are not that many on the market. A card like that has to have a connector to the power supply otherwise it wouldn't be able to provide more than the built-in USB ports.

I have found these that would definitely source enough power: http://www.digi.com/products/usb/usbplusseries.jsp

but the price is between EUR 130 and EUR 180 which is between $200 and $250.

If anybody has something similar but for less money - please let me know. I would like to get to the bottom of it, but it doesn't make sence to spend so much for something that might not be the solution.