Solutions for using an Mbox with a 915G Chipset

[dr_love6977]

I have a computer with a 915G chipset. After many problems (6086 error) no matter what actions I took, I learned that there is a problem with USB interfaces, such as the Mbox2, on computers with that particular chipset. My question is, if I install a PCI USB card, will that fix the problem? I would be bypassing the motherboard's USB sockets, and instead using PCI connectivity. Has anyone had any success doing this, or anything else with the chipsets that are listed on the digi site as problematic?

[dr_love6977]

Bump

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by dr_love6977

Bump

From what I remember the problem occurs at the chipset level. A add in card might help. At around 12.99 or so its not going to hurt to try. I would look for one with a higher quality Texas Instruments, NEC or VIA chipset although it probably doesn't matter. If the board offers the ability to turn off Processor stepping, Speed Step or EIST (Enhanced Intel Speedstep Technology) in BIOS I would disable that also. Will a card help? I suspect not, Normally the PCI slots are bus mastered along with the IDE bus and I suspect the the problem is occurring there. Thats just a guess though. I would be interested in If it helps. The other solution was to use a powered hub.

[JMS40]

The common recommendation has been an externally powered USB hub. And there have been a few reports of success here.

Rightly or wrongly, that always lead me to believe the issue had more to do with the way power was delivered to the device along the USB bus.

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by JMS40

The common recommendation has been an externally powered USB hub. And there have been a few reports of success here.

Rightly or wrongly, that always lead me to believe the issue had more to do with the way power was delivered to the device along the USB bus.

Which is a good point. Look for a PCI card with either a 4 Pin molex power connector or a Floppy Disk style power connecter. I have seen this on higher end cards. Running card of that type should enable you to ensure that the USB bus is getting full power. New Egg should still sell a Masscool branded USB 2.0/FW card add in card like this for around 16.99 or so. I have bought a bunch of them and they are a pretty good card. The card is all VIA chips which is nice from a compatibility stand point.

[dr_love6977]

Hey cool, thanks for the feedback guys!

[sunburst79]

Originally Posted by sunburst79

Which is a good point. Look for a PCI card with either a 4 Pin molex power connector or a Floppy Disk style power connecter. I have seen this on higher end cards. Running card of that type should enable you to ensure that the USB bus is getting full power. New Egg should still sell a Masscool branded USB 2.0/FW card add in card like this for around 16.99 or so. I have bought a bunch of them and they are a pretty good card. The card is all VIA chips which is nice from a compatibility stand point.

Newegg has discontinued this particular card-bummer.

[dr_love6977]

Ok, so I picked up a powered USB hub, which has come with a whole new problem. Now when I run PT I get 'DAE Error -1115'. It's not a problem with the hub, I tried running a flash drive through it and the computer recognized it just fine. When the MBox2 Mini is running through the hub, the light comes on, meaning it is connected to the computer. For the record my setup is as follows.

Gateway 506GR
Intel 915G chipset
Pentium 4 3.2 Ghz processor
1 GB DDR PC3200 RAM
Pro Tools 7.3
MBox Mini


Any suggestions?

[spkguitar]

Originally Posted by dr_love6977

Any suggestions?

None other than the ones that have already been given.

Your chipset is incompatible. Period.

[sunburst79]

DAE error is the can't Locate Hardware Error. I would take the hub back if you can and look into a 925XE or newer board. Check Newegg as the older stuff like this is actually fairly cheap. 945, 955, 965, 975. This stuff is all working. I paid 59.99 for a 945 ASUS board not to long ago.

I would cut and run from the 915 at this point.