Digi 003 crashing, external clock error?

[_JT]

Apologies if this isn't following the community guidelines. I did several searches and didn't see another thread with this problem. Also read the 'read before posting' thread.

System
MacBook Pro, OSX 10.6.8
Pro Tools 8.0.5 LE (had the same problem with 8.0.3, but upgraded both PT and 003 firmware yesterday to see if that would fix it)
Digi 003 Rack (firmware 8.0.5)

Sessions stored on the local drive (as there's only one firewire port on a MBP, and it's in use for the 003). It is a 750GB drive with over 500GB free, and was installed recently, so shouldn't be fragmented.

Been using this system for over a year with no problems, but in the last week it's crashed dozens of times. I start PT, power up the 003, and get anywhere from zero seconds to a few hours into a session. The 003 starts randomly flashing lights on the front (to be specific, the Mic/DI lights for inputs 1-4). I lose my host 1394 light. I get an error message in PT saying clock choice invalid, reverting to internal (which is what it's already, always, set on). No amount of power cycling/rebooting fixes it. I just wait until it starts working again, hope for the best, and try to quickly get some more work done before it happens again.

Things I've tried: upgrading pro tools from 8.0.3 to 8.0.5, upgrading 003 firmware from 8.0.1 to 8.0.5, changing the firewire cable from one port on the 003 to the other, power cycling the computer and the interface. None of these things have made a noticeable difference.

Things I haven't yet tried: buying a new firewire cable (I'm also using a 6-pin to 4-pin adapter so it'll plug into my port on the MBP).

Any suggestions, fixes, or evidence that this is fixable?

[_JT]

So, now I have tried replacing the firewire cable with a brand new belkin one. That did nothing.

Pretty much out of ideas, here. Anyone?

[Bob L]

Get an external 7200 rpm drive with an approved chipset. Format the external Journaled, as described in Troubleshooting. Connect MBP>HD>003.

Open your sessions from the internal, Save Copy In with audio files included to the external. Delete PT database files and preferences as described in Troubleshooting. Make notes of your Preferences before you delete.

If that doesn't solve your problem, Uninstall PT using the utility in the disc or download. Reinstall PT, repair permissions.

If all that doesn't solve your problem, Clean Install OSX. Do not use Software Update. Fetch the Combo Update for 10.6.8 from Apple.

I suspect that if you've been working off the internal for a year, you've corrupted something.

Bob

[_JT]

So you don't think it's a hardware problem?

Follow up: can you link me to an example external HDD that has an 'approved chipset', so I know what to look for?

[albee1952]

The OWC Mercury lineup is a good choice

[emmett13]

ok i'm exactly a year late showing up to this thread, but am having the same issue...did you ever find a solution?

TIA for any help; it's driving me nuts! also my 003 does a fizzy, crackling thing before it decides to be finicky...the first time it did this, after a number of "offline" fails, it randomly started working!

any thoughts?
best,
emmett