Digi 003 and Windows 10 issues

[artisan]

Hi all,

I've recently switched to a windows machine as my 9YO Mac Pro was no longer working.

I use pro tool 12.7.1 and a Digi 003 Rack.
The windows machine is not very new but has an i7 2600, 16 gigs of ram etc..
It has on-board firewire 400 port but I've purchased the startech firewire card qualified by AVID - 3 Port 2b 1a 1394 PCI Express FireWire Card Adapter.

Things were running pretty well for a little while until the digi003 stopped being detected by windows..
updating/uninstalling- reinstalling the firewire controller in device manager fixes this issue. The same thing happens when I plug in into the mobo firewire port..

The other issue is that all of a sudden, I cannot change the buffer size in pro tools. Stuck on 256.. I've reinstalled all 003 drivers and even tried some older ones to no avail. My xlr mic input has also stopped working - actually, all four of them.


To test the above on another machine, I connected the 003 to an old Imac with everything installed (Just for emergency) and the 003 works perfectly. Mic working, can change buffer sizes etc and being detected straight away.

I guess I can use the imac but that means reformatting all the pc drives again, finding docks/hubs and external HDD cases etc.

Was really happy with the pc (besides the annoying windows management on pro tools on multiple screens - having to stretch things is really annoying). Also disappointed with having to purchase the firewire card but who knows where these issues are coming from..
I can't help but think if I purchase a usb interface like the Komplete Audio 6 for example, the pc issues will all go away..


Hopefully someone can help..