ProTools 12 and PC Install and Boot Up Issue

[jfredk]

Hey boize and girls:

Keep seeing a message on boot up that says "ProTools hardware is either not installed or used by another program". As far as we know the install was correct and all of the hardware is working.

Rig details: HP PC running Windows 10, ProTools 12.x, 16 gig RAM, Focusrite Scarlett 2i.2 USB interface.

At a complete loss as I don't mess with PCs much.

This is not a crazy big install. Just trying to help a friend get a work tape studio together and running solid.

Thanks in advance...

J Fred Kno
in Nashville

[Darryl Ramm]

What exact playback engine are you trying to use in Pro Tools?

Did you install the ASIO drivers for the 2i2? If not find the 2i2 documentation and start there.

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And "boot up" usually refers to the operating system. I assume you mean when starting Pro Tools.

[jfredk]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Not being familiar with PCs I'm at a loss to find what it is I need to find as far as which version of ASIO driver we have. The Focusrite Interface was working fine after install and the latest driver is dated April 2018 so I'm sure it's up to date.

And when I say boot I mean ProTools and not the OS.

I'll follow up on some threads and many thanks for the advice!

Peas in our thyme...

J Fredkno
in Nashville

[Darryl Ramm]

You can look at what exact drivers are installed in Windows Device manager and compare versions to what is on Focusrite's support site. I'm not going to check dates etc. for you.

Or just go and download the latest ASIO driver from Focusrite.

When you talk about drivers for the 2i2, make very sure you are looking at the Focusrite ASIO driver not say a generic WDM driver.

And then make sure exactly that ASIO driver is selected as the Playback Engine in Pro Tools. Easiest way of doing that is hold down 'N' when starting Pro Tools and select the correct play back engine.

Did I recommend just reading the manual? Yes I did.... Follow the steps described in that for installing the driver and ask for help here if that does not work.

If seeking more help here we need to know what version of the 2i2 you have.

[The Weed]

Focusrite's Windows drivers are hit and miss for some/many. One thing to try, after determining you have the latest 2i2 ASKO driver installed is go to Control Panel>Sound and disable any reference to the 2i2 under the Playback and Record tabs, making sure the onboard sound card is the default for Windows sounds/audio. And also, under the Sounds tab, change it from Default to None. Then open Pro Tools holding down the "N" key and choose the 2i2's ASIO driver.

There are other optimizations you should be doing to get Pro Tools running smooth and stable. See the "Help Us Help You" link at the top of every page on the Forum. Any more issues after going through that link, come on back.

[jfredk]

Darryl and Bruce:

Thanks for the info. Will try it this evening and let you know!

jfk

[Darryl Ramm]

Great, after you get/check the latest ASIO driver is installed it is important to do what Bruce is saying. Actually always a good idea to get all Windows audio off the playback engine you are using for Pro Tools, even if it seems to work.

[jfredk]

Thank you gentlemen! All is good! Rig working fine but sheesh there are a lot of hoops to jump through on a PC...especially if you don't know the landscape.

Many thanks and if you're headed to Nashville give me a ring on here and I'll fetch you a cold one!

j fred

[albee1952]

One thing with Windows; you should open Sound>Properties and make sure that Windows is NOT using the Focusrite as the "Default Playback Device".