Audio MIDI Setup: Digidesign Audio Drop-down Item Disappears

[TonyPT]

Hello,

I have been using Pro Tools 7.3.1 with the Mac OS X version 10.4.10 (with prebind script for 10.4.10 compatibility ) for quite some time without a problem. All of a sudden, every time I open Pro Tools, the Digidesign drop-down item, Digidesign HW ( 002 ), disappears from the Audio Devices Default Output drop-down list.

I have now exited out of Pro Tools, opened the Audio Midi Setup application, and now I see the Digidesign HW ( 002 ) item. I have no idea what to do at point. I even uninstalled and re-installed Pro Tools (7.3 - > 7.3.1, with prebind script). This did not help. Pro Tools opens, and plays, however, I am getting clicks and pops because the Digidesign HW ( 002 ) interface is not being recognized.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thank you,

Tony