New PT and older MP version on same PC?

[Modrob]

I have purchased the MBOX Studio package and installed (currently failed as interface not functioning) as well as the ILOK is updated too. While I’m waiting on callback to address the Studio problem I thought I’d try and install my old version of MP9 (the older PC it is on doesn’t have enough memory now to run fully)…Ran the install disc and afterwards this newer PC had an error message about not able to correctly restart. Finally had to do a System Restore to make it right again…
My ILOK dongle still shows the license for the MP9 as active as well as my new Studio Perpetual…
Is it possible to have both on this PC so I can continue to work until hopefully getting the new MBOX interface to work?
Thanks again for any guidance.

[Darryl Ramm]

And with exactly no information about your PC hardware, Windows version etc. what exactly would you like folks here to do? And you are talking about two different systems. it sould seem to be more helpful to be asking here about fixing the most important problem which should be getting the new PC working with MBox Studio and Pro Tools. Right?

Start at "Help us help you" up the top of each DUC web page, provide the information asked for there, including a SiSoft Sandra Report.

What exact version of Pro Tools are you trying to install? e.g. 2024.10?

Installing Pro Tools should not affect whether the Mbox Studio hardware and its drivers installs on a system... do you have the interface working as an audio device with other Apps? For Windows sound playback... just to test if it's working at all.

There is no version of Windows that is likely to support MP9 and a recent version of Pro Tools. MP9 is really ancient stuff: https://avidtech.my.salesforce-sites...tibility-Chart

Does the new PC meet the minimum requirements for Pro Tools? https://avidtech.my.salesforce-sites...m-Requirements I'd personally be using at least 16GB of RAM.

A modern PC is unlikely to support MP9. I'd not waste time tying to do that. And it's all just going backwards, again why not focus on fixing whatever main problem(s) you have.

I would slow down, spend your time to post clear information about your setup, describe what you did and what happened and the full text of error messages etc.

On a typical Windows OEM PC I personally would start by erasing the OEM installs and recovery partitions and do a full clean Windows install from Microsoft installers (or even better do those installs if there is space and then erase the OEM mess). There is so much bloatware on modern PCs that I would just not risk it.

What exact MP9 hardware interface do you have? Are there separate installs of ASIO drivers for that interface hardware available for whatever version of Windows you are running?.... you can google for that info yourself since we have no useful idea about your setup. That will tell you if it's possible to use modern Pro Tools with that interface on your version of Windows. The answer is likely not but it's worth checking to be sure. Failing that you might be able to use Pro Tools with the Windows Audio devices in your PC at least as a playback device. That may need ASIO4ALL or using WASAPI audio support in Pro Tools. Again we have no useful details of anything here...

[tope d]

Please help us help you

https://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=300050

Have you already installed the latest Mbox Control application? MBox is not plug and play

[Modrob]

Whoa there hoss…😉 I’m much older now and a lot slower….

PC: is a “newer to me” Dell desktop unit with i7 processor, SSD, and 16GB RAM.
Windows 10.
“Asking folks to do” I’m really soliciting opinions, experiences, etc., of which something might resonate with me and put me on a better path to figuring things out. The last time I did any real computer changes was probably 2015 or 2016. I installed MP9 (I was dragged like kicking and screaming to it when my all-in-one Fostex VF16 bit the dust) and I fought through the learning curve with it and realized it was the best thing I’d done. And so many, many tunes later it was doing everything I wanted and then some. Just happened that over time the 4GB RAM unit it was on started giving random processor messages and I finally realized maybe it was time to change. Still dreading it because I knew it wouldn’t be a smooth transistion. (A lot has changed over the years and I’ve had no reason to stay updated…
And yes—my goal is to get my new MBOX Studio PT package (supposed to be the latest PT version) up and running. But…for some reason the included interface isn’t functioning properly. And so far various researched options haven’t helped it…and, I’m in a jam to continue recording an album project with my wife, hence the question about continuing the MP9 until hopefully I can get the new version functioning.

And a “sisoft Sandra” report?? I don’t have a clue…my bad, but I’ve got a full plate already, and again was hoping someone might have had a similar experience…
The new interface does NOTHING, except backlit two main rotary knobs and the AVID logo. The MBoX Control element won’t connect nor update. So it seems dead in the water to me…but again, I don’t know much…

The MP9 version has its own proprietary interface, FastTrack C400.
I used the mP9 install disc, install finished, and after restart the computer displayed an error message along the lines of “unable to restart” and “automatically tried again” . Still wouldn’t boot up, so luckily I used a system restore point and got it back.
At this point I’ll try to again setup the older PC with MP9 and hobble along until this can be resolved. (If I have to end up shipping the MBOX back, it could be several weeks I read)

[Modrob]

Tope D…
Yes I installed the latest version of MBOX Control app. Tried it twice. And my salesperson had me call the Sweetwater support line…I waited for a while and ended up leaving a call back number…

[Modrob]

Darryl…
My apologies for being short…it was the end of a long day (late at night) and I was frustrated with not finding any clues…

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by Modrob

Darryl…
My apologies for being short…it was the end of a long day (late at night) and I was frustrated with not finding any clues…

That's fine I was throwing a lot at you. I know how frustrating it is to get something new then to not have it work.

You provided one great piece of info that is you have a C400. Now there is a driver for that for an older version of Windows 10: https://avidtech.my.salesforce-sites...k-C400-Drivers . I cannot recall if way back in MP9 days you had to install a separate driver or not, or if stuff was packaged to make it easier, but to work with Pro Tools Studio you sure do have to do that seperate driver isntall. That may mean you can get that to install on current Windows 10 or even 11 and use the C400 with your new Pro Tools Studio license. I don't have a C400 and have no idea if it will actually say work on Windows 11. And I have no idea what exact Windows version you are running, but if it was me I would try that to get going while you sort our the Mbox Studio problems. I did a giqock google to see if there was any info online about the C400 working with WIndows 11 for example and did not find anything... which to me often means it may work (or folsk would be complaining). So I'd be tempted to just try it on Windows 10 or 11. And in the MAudio split up from Avid the C400 drivers stayed with Avid and not MAudio, so don't go to MAudio trying to find anything related to the C400.

Sisoft Sandra is a often useful tool that reports on your Windows system hardware and setup. The instructions for how to use it are on that "help us help you" page linked up the top of each DUC web page. It's a pretty simple free app, most of the confusion with it come from what exactly to post on DUC. You want to post the same as this example: https://duc.avid.com/showpost.php?p=2690811&postcount=5 (that thread has nothing to do with anything here it's just an example Sandra report). Lots of us are used to scanning those reports quickly to spot issues. If you contact Avid support they may ask you for these anyhow so a good thing to just have on your computer and know how to use.

So separate all the things to try... e.g.

0. If the Mbox install is still giving you problems I'd open a support case with Avid Support as well as talking to Sweetwater. If you need to create a support case log into your Avid.com account and go to the support portal link and create a new case. It's not the easiest system to navigate but once you work it out it's not too hard, and maybe Tope can help you open a support case if needed.

1. If this was my system I'd try installing the "closest fit" Windows version wise C400 driver on your new Windows PC (from https://avidtech.my.salesforce-sites...k-C400-Drivers) and see if the C400 works at all there, e.g. works as a Windows sound device.

2. A. If #1 works then Install Pro Tool studio on that PC. When prompted select the C400 as the playback engine in Pro Tools. (it's good to go into Windows Sound control panel first and make sure Windows Sound is *not* set to use the C400).

2. B. If #1 does not work then you should still be able to use Pro Tools Studio with your PCs built in audio. No idea if that is useful for you... might be just to play with Pro Tools Studio and see what is new. If so you may be able to select the PC's WASAPI sound device as the playback engine (try selecting any options that look like the PC audio output in the Pro Tools playback engine dialog). If that does not work you might need to install the third party ASIO4ALL driver/app that makes the old style Windows audio devices look like ASIO devices. But if you are there ask for help.

3. Work out how to get a SiSoft Sandra report going and post here, if nothing else for your other Mbox issues.

[Darryl Ramm]

For anybody playing along at home, the MBox Studio install issue has it's own thread https://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=429843

[Modrob]

Wow! Thanks so much Darryl for sooo much good info, and I sincerely appreciate the time and effort you put into helping guide me…
Again WOW! All that has my mind spinning, and trying to sort through it. A lot of it I have some idea of what the “processes” are, but at the same time my mind is panicking with the thoughts of “this will take me hours or days to try and familiarize myself” with them…I used to love digging into computer stuff, years ago, and had good success. But here I am about 10-plus years later, aged 65, tons of fix-its daily around the house…sometimes it just about overwhelms me. (I’m busier now retired, than I was when I was working!&#128540

Sweetwater Support has been messaging back-and-forth with me trying to resolve this MBOX issue. He’s now contacting the vendor to discuss, and noted he may have to send me another unit. In the meantime, I was able to reconnect my older desktop and up and running again so for the time being, I can continue working on my wife’s album project.
I’ll print out your latest response so I can delve into it…I would like to learn more (and try to regain some of my lost patience&#128540

The thought had initially crossed my mind that maybe I could have both versions (MP9 and new PT) but I’m also thinking that I’ve maybe read some things about an older version would have to be deleted or deactivated…same with ILOK. Which I could understand…but my old-fashioned thinking came up with “just switch out the computers”…LOL

I’ll keep you posted, and again, many thanks.

[Darryl Ramm]

Originally Posted by Modrob

The thought had initially crossed my mind that maybe I could have both versions (MP9 and new PT) but I’m also thinking that I’ve maybe read some things about an older version would have to be deleted or deactivated…same with ILOK. Which I could understand…but my old-fashioned thinking came up with “just switch out the computers”…LOL

As I tried to point out earlier you likely cannot install MP9 and Pro Tools 2024.x on the same Windows system, there is unlikely to be any version of Windows close to being compatible with both versions of Pro Tools. It looks like the best work arounds for now is running MP9 on your old computer, or if you want to try getting the C400 running on the new computer to work with Pro Tools Studio (which is in no way is tied to or requires the Mbox Studio interface, any ASIO interface, like hopefully the C400 with the device drivers installed, will work fine.).