Pro Tools LE 8.4.0 Not Recognizing Mbox

[Mike_Buttz]

I'm a newly certified audio engineer and out of no where my protools decided to stop recognizing my mbox 2 mini. After searching and reading other posts i see this isn't too uncommon. I have attempted to run this sandra report the tech guys have requested other users to run but it just tells me an error occurs every time i try to run it. Maybe I've downloaded the wrong thing. I dont know. But this is becoming a headache pretty quickly. I am operating on windows 7. Please Help!
Mike

[TOM@METRO]

Hi Mike, and Welcome to the DUC.

Not being able to run a Sandra report is an issue that should be overcome before moving forward. We need this information in order to help. Read the "Help Us Help You" sticky at the top of this forum and try again to run the Sandra.

[Mike_Buttz]

SiSoftware Sandra

ID
Host Name : MikeB
Workgroup : WORKGROUP

Computer
Model : Dell Inspiron 1545
Serial Number : H4GX2K1
Chassis : Dell Portable
Mainboard : Dell 0G848F
Serial Number : .H4GX2K1.CN7016601B083M.
BIOS : Dell A13 10/23/2009
Total Memory : 3GB DDR3 SO-DIMM

Processors
Processor : Pentium(R) Dual-Core CPU T4400 @ 2.20GHz (2C 2.2GHz/2.2GHz, 1MB L2)

Chipset
Memory Controller : Dell GM45 Mobile Controller Hub 4x 199MHz (796MHz) FSB, 2x 1.5GB DDR3 SO-DIMM 2x 398MHz (796MHz), Integrated Graphics

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Samsung M4 70T2864QZ3-CF7 1GB DDR2 SO-DIMM PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5-6-6-18 4-24-6-3)
Memory Module : Kingston TTX760-ELF 2GB DDR2 SO-DIMM PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5-6-6-18 3-24-6-3)

Video System
Video Adapter : Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family (10 SM4.0 533MHz, 32MB DDR3 800MHz 128-bit, Integrated Graphics)

Graphics Processor

Storage Devices
SAMSUNG HM250HI (250GB, SATA300, 2.5", 5400rpm, 8MB Cache) : 233GB (C:)
HL-DT-ST DVD+/-RW GT10N (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (D:)

Logical Storage Devices
RECOVERY : 15GB (NTFS)
OS (C:) : 218GB (NTFS) @ SAMSUNG HM250HI (250GB, SATA300, 2.5", 5400rpm, 8MB Cache)
Hard Disk (Q:) : N/A
Optical Drive (D:) : N/A @ HL-DT-ST DVD+/-RW GT10N (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : Dell (ICH9M) LPC Interface Controller
LPC Legacy Controller 1 : Winbond WPCE775LA
Audio Device : Dell (ICH9) HD Audio Controller
Audio Codec : Integrated Device Tech 76B2h
Disk Controller : Dell (ICH9) Mobile SATA AHCI Controller
USB Controller 1 : Dell (ICH9) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 2 : Dell (ICH9) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 3 : Dell (ICH9) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 4 : Dell (ICH9) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
USB Controller 5 : Dell (ICH9) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 6 : Dell (ICH9) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 7 : Dell (ICH9) USB Universal Host Controller
USB Controller 8 : Dell (ICH9) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : Intel ICH SMBus

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Send To Microsoft OneNote 2010 Driver (1200x1200, Colour)
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer (600x600, Colour)
Fax : Microsoft Shared Fax Driver (200x200)

Network Services
Network Adapter : Marvell Yukon 88E8040 PCI-E Fast Ethernet Controller (Ethernet, 100Mbps)
Wireless Adapter : Dell Wireless 1397 WLAN Mini-Card

Power Management
Battery No 1 : LGC-LGC2.2 DELL X28XH9 48.84Wh/3.93Ah

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 7 Home 6.01.7601 (Service Pack 1)
Platform Compliance : x64

Windows Experience Index
Current System : 3.4


Alright so above is my sandra report. The set up I'm currently using is really nothing more than my laptop protools and my m box.

Please Help
Thanks

[Pinball Wizard]

There are a great number of problems here......
- mismatched memory
- hard drive too slow
- wireless
- etc. etc. etc.

Laptops are frequently problematic. The integrated graphics alone makes them undesirable for Protools. That said, I have been able to use 3 different laptops (including a Dell Insperion) adequately to track. I don't do any plugins with them, just tracking.

As I understand it, you had this setup running at one time and then it stopped working. If that is correct, try to correlate the problem with some change (like a Windows update) that you might roll back.

I don't have a mini to play with, but I do have a mbox & a mbox pro. The mbox uses a USB connection like your mini & I have some experience that might be of some help to you.

Before I do, though, please check to make certain that you have done all of the Windows optimizations....especially disabling the USB power management. I have found that laptops can have strange, non-standard USB power behavior. If you are still having problems after that, please read about the experiences with powered hubs & USB cards in this thread:

http://duc.avid.com/showthread.php?t=310637

I hope this is some help to you. Good luck with that machine. Even if you do get it working, please considering upgrading the hard drive situation and the memory. You really do need at least 2 drives for reliable performance and they should be at least 7200rpm. The memory modules need to be identical. You are in a precarious situation with any laptop, don't try to push it by violating Avid's recommendations.

Again, good luck & please let us know how you are doing.

[zedhed]

Frankly, on a Win7 platform a Windows Experience Index of : 3.4 is abysmal. You may be able to run PT on this computer but you won't be getting great performance out of it as it stands.

A separate recording drive is an absolute must have, and the problems outlined already also need to be addressed.

Before upgrading or replacing the computer, make sure you research what components are compatible as there are many pitfalls which if ignored will lead to a waste of time and money.

[Mike_Buttz]

Thanks for all your help. I know I'm operating on a less than desirable machine right now saving and looking for credit to purchase proper equipment. Turns out all my mbox needed was an update. When you made mention of the USB ports i went under sound and hardware to turn the ports off and back on and while i was there i opened the mbox ran a quick check for driver updates and there it was.

Mike

[albee1952]

Turning OFF the power management feature on all USB ports is one of the required tweaks. Did you miss it?