Mbox 3 - Hardware not connected - FIXED?

[krabbencutter]

Hi all,

I bought a used Mbox 3 very, very cheap. Unfortunately it suffers from the widespread error that it gets under no circumstances detected by any system.
AFAIK this Issue has been prominent with many of the new Mbox Models, including pro & mini, since release. There are lots and lots of threads here about Mboxes that simply stopped working with a PC/Mac overnight.

I tried all the suggestions mentioned in this forum but let's face it: there is no solution except sending it in for repair. So my question is: has anyone done this already and can tell me what they fixed? Was it the firmware or the USB circuit? Did they have to change the main board? Did they use cute kittens and a voodoo priest?

I just dont want to take the risk of sending it to an authorized repair center and have to pay money just for letting them tell me it's too expensive to fix.

It makes for a nice door stopper in any case

[albee1952]

So, what was the fix???

[krabbencutter]

don't know, that's why I'm asking

[unkJE]

Rise, Sir Mbox Pro: get up off the floor! (“nice door stopper”)

Updating the drivers worked for some people.

Drivers for Avid Audio Hardware - Last Updated : September 17, 2014:

http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/e...nload/en379411

[krabbencutter]

Thanks, but just a "normal" Mbox here and it's latest Windows drivers are from June 2013. I really tried EVERYTHING on the software side of things that was mentioned in every thread about this issue posted in the last 2 or 3 years. That's why I strongly believe in a Hard- or Firmware Issue.

[unkJE]

1.1.9 Drivers with the Mbox Pro appeared to be a problem for some – the Drivers were subsequently updated to 1.1.10. I think that fixed the Mbox Pro issue for most people. I'm still using 1.1.8 (Firmware 1.0.3) - 'cos it works OK for me.

As there is no update for your Mbox 3 - and yours is not working with v 1.1.8:
http://avid.force.com/pkb/articles/d...d/Mbox-Drivers

Did you try uninstalling the 1.1.8 Drivers and installing the previous 1.0.22 Drivers?
(1.0.22 mentions Pro Tools 9 - I don't know what version of PT you're using)

Please note: this is just "a punt" aka "a guess" = no guarantees!

As you don't have any Warranty cover, perhaps it's worth a try....

[krabbencutter]

Thanks, I really appreciate your help
But as said before I tried nearly every suggestion ever mentioned in this community which includes:
- try every single existing driver version
- check if other laptops/systems recognise the interface
- try a powered usb hub
- change usb cables
- try every available usb port
- un- and reinstalling usb chipset drivers
- deactivate internet explorer
- deactivate every other soundcard
- and some other possible voodoo-ish solutions to this problem

It did not work. And just to clarify, my problem ist not that my DAW (Ableton in my case) is unable to connect with the Mbox. My problem is that not even the OS is able to recognize the interface in the first place. And that includes Windows, Mac and Linux Systems.

All this leads me to the conclusion the Mbox itself might be the error here and I believe the only definitive solution is sending it in for repair.

The thing is: i dont want to burn any more money than necessary. I've already contacted an authorized repair center and they were, of course, unable to tell me on the phone what needs to be fixed. So there is a high risk i send it in and it's too expensive to fix. In that case I still have to pay their work hours.

That's why my initial question was if anybody has had the same issue, sent his Mbox to an authorized repair center and can tell me if they were able to fix it and what the issue was.

[unkJE]

Originally Posted by krabbencutter

The thing is: i dont want to burn any more money than necessary. I've already contacted an authorized repair center and they were, of course, unable to tell me on the phone what needs to be fixed. So there is a high risk i send it in and it's too expensive to fix. In that case I still have to pay their work hours.

That's why my initial question was if anybody has had the same issue, sent his Mbox to an authorized repair center and can tell me if they were able to fix it and what the issue was.

I had my Mbox Pro replaced under Warranty – because I installed an “unfixable” Firmware update. They were not able to fix it. You mentioned you suspect your Mbox shares this problem. Because you got your used Mbox 3 “very, very cheap”, the cost of (no Warranty) repairs (if yours can be repaired) - and don't forget the return freight - should be weighed against buying an Unregistered Mbox Pro (with Warranty). You won’t regret it…… the Mbox Pro is vastly superior!
https://www.avid.com/US/products/mbox/features#Compare

http://www.avid.com/static/resources...mparison-1.pdf


Note: the MBox Pro is FireWire, your MBox is USB2.0

Shop around – here’s a great place to start:
Mbox 3 Pro. Brand new. Hardware only, Pro Tools software not included. Comes with registration card, setup guide, cables and power supply. Still sealed never used. Ships in factory box.


http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Avid-Digi...item35dd2ccbb1

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Avid-Digi...item3395d695a2

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Avid-Digi...item54113b6aab

October 4, 2014:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Avid-Digi...item35dd9a919b



October 30, 2014:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Avid-Digi...item35de794dac