Topic: Newbie confusion with HDSPe FX device drivers and software.
Today I tried my first install of an HDSPe FX card in my Windows 10 PC.
I used the original (2013) install CD and ran rmeinstaller.exe which installed v1.14 driver software before fitting the HDSPe card. I assumed that it would be easy enough to download latest drivers and software at a later stage and the manual suggested that no (driver) uninstall would be required.
The hardware install went fine - the card was recognised on restart and Totalmix FX appeared in the system tray and ran fine. HDSPE FX software confirmed that v1.14 was running.
I downloaded the latest drivers and firmware from the RME website. I installed the latest drivers and rebooted the PC. HDSPe FX software reported it was still on v1.14. Totalmix FX was still running OK.
The readme files confused me a bit – the software readme said that a deinstall would be required for v3 or previous drivers. It also said that new firmware would be required if updating from v2.94 or older. The firmware readme (for fut_wdm_dspe) suggested that it required v4.0 or later driver. I assumed that this meant updating the driver first, then the firmware.
I uninstalled RME HDSPe FX (WDM) v 1.1.4.0 from Settings>Apps and Features. I reinstalled the RME HDSP driver (4/8/20 4.3.0.0) without error (It stated “ready to use”).
I restarted the PC hoping it would pick up the new drivers. This time there was no evidence of RME apps in the system tray.
In Settings>Apps and Features I found Windows Driver Packages for both HDSPe FX 8/5/13 v1.14 and RME HDSP series 29/8/20 v4.3.0.0. I uninstalled the older version and rebooted with no change (no evidence of RME devices or software).
I have obviously fundamentally misunderstood something in the install procedure!!
I have done a search of the forums to try and find the best way to resolve this. I have not found anything that explains how I might rectify my errors.
Perhaps someone will be kind enough to advise the best procedure from here (or provide a link) before I get any deeper into the mire.