Topic: FF800 not detected on any machine after power outage

Hi all,

Hoping someone can help me get my FF800 back online after a local power outage knocked everything out.

**My setup:**
- RME Fireface 800
- MacBook Pro M3 (macOS Tahoe) — I'm aware FireWire is no longer supported on Tahoe, so this is not my primary test machine
- Secondary test: older MacBook running Snow Leopard with legacy TotalMix software
- Apollo Twin MkII (the FF800 was being used as additional I/O)

**What happened:**
The unit had been running fine for a couple of months. After a power outage in my area (I don't believe the FF800 was powered on at the time), it stopped being recognised. I've read that outages can scramble internal settings on the FF800.

**What I've tried:**
- Two different FireWire 800 cables
- Both FW800 ports on the back of the unit
- Tested on both machines — neither detects it

**Front panel behaviour:**
The only lights active on the front panel are the +4dBu input and output indicators. No host light, no other activity. Nothing that suggests it's communicating with the computer at all.

**Where I'm stuck:**
I can't tell if this is corrupted internal settings from the outage, or potential hardware damage. I've seen the old thread about the red host light and burnt FW port, and I'm hoping that's not what I'm dealing with here.

Any advice appreciated — particularly around whether there's a hardware reset procedure that might restore the FF800's settings, or any diagnostic steps to distinguish a settings issue from hardware damage.

Thanks in advance.

2 (edited by waedi 2026-04-08 03:54:24)

Re: FF800 not detected on any machine after power outage

There is no reset function at the unit.
The FUT does firmware reset by flashing new firmware, but this needs a working driver.

The device needs to go to an RME service partner

I don't think it has damage from power outage, the internal power supply is probably broken by age.

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

Re: FF800 not detected on any machine after power outage

I get what you're saying but it's still receiving power and turning on. It's just not acknowledging the connection on my SnowLeopard Mac.

Is it really worth to try and just get it fixed up at that point?

I mean depends on my use case obviously but if it's going to be a lot I might just pass it on.

Thanks.

Re: FF800 not detected on any machine after power outage

A failing power supply has still some power to some parts of the device...

If it is the internal PSU only, that cost not that much, about 200 for the repair.

I think its worth. But you have to decide after the checkup and repair offer from them.

M1-Tahoe, Madiface Pro, Digiface USB, Babyface silver and blue

Re: FF800 not detected on any machine after power outage

Yeah ok no fair. You 100% sure on that hypothesis? Because it feels pretty convenient for something to have died out by age happen just as the power came. But would probably be worth checking out I guess. Thanks for having a read.