• Registered: 2009-12-19
  • Posts: 16

Topic: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

Hi,

I followed the WinXP install guide https://archiv.rme-audio.de/download/xp … update.pdf
using hdsp_wdm_3082.zip for the driver, reboot and then followed by fut_wdm_dspe.zip to flash the firmware.  Both were successful, I reboot, and I can open the Hammerfall mixer and DSP settings when I connect the Multiface to my laptop. 

But the RED Host LED is always on.  I don't know if I installed something wrong or if I have faulty hardware. I do not have another expresscard equipped laptop to try.

This is Windows XP SP3, on a new Asus N61JQ-X1.  It has an HM55 chipset whose chipset and storage drivers I slipstreamed into my WinXP install (Intel(R) 5 Series/3400 Series Chipset Family, http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_ … ;lang=eng,
http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_ … lang=eng).  I'm running in IDE mode if that would affect anything. 

Hopefully this is a stupid error on my part.  If not, please let me know what other tests I should try!

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,751

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

Hi,

you need to power-cycle, not just reboot after the firmware update.


Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

3 Reply by steelcitysi (edited by steelcitysi 2010-02-11 18:09:57)

  • Registered: 2009-12-19
  • Posts: 16

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

thanks for the reply.

yes I did power cycle as instructed. 
Now, when I run pcie_fut.exe I see
"HDSP PCIe FUT, v2.19. Hardware Revision: HDSP PCIe, Rev. 18. Programming Status: Up to date".
From the DSP mixer Info, I see
"Version 3.08.2".
From Hammerfall DSP Settings, there's a "Multiface (1) tab" and an "About tab".  Should it say "Multiface (Expresscard)" instead? I was reading about a similar problem in another post for the macbook.  My DSP settings About tab says "RME Hammerfall DSP. Driver date 10/20/2009 version 3.08.2, Hardware revision 18, SN (8 digits here, just dont want to post SN on forum)".  None of the boxes are checked. 

But the Host error LED is still red.  Hammerfall DSP Settings I/O Box State is "Error".

In Device Manager, I see "RME Hammerfall DSP" at location "PCI slot 8 (PCI bus 4, device 0, function 0", "This device is working properly", and the device instance ID is "PCI\VEN_10EE&DEV_3FC5&SUBSYS_000010EE&REV_3C\4&1E7655A".

I also checked that the expresscard S/N doesn't fall into the bad shipment S/N's from the sticky.

4 Reply by MC

  • MC
  • MC
  • Administrator
  • Offline
  • From: Germany/Thailand
  • Registered: 2007-04-06
  • Posts: 25,537

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

Did this system work before? Did you power cycle the Multiface?

Regards
Matthias Carstens
RME

MC's Website

  • Registered: 2009-12-19
  • Posts: 16

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

This is a brand new Multiface / expresscard bundle, untested.  Yes I did power cycle after firmware upgrade.

I am going to try and test it on another WinXP laptop later today in case there is a problem with my laptop.  If there are other firmware / driver versions I should try or other tests I should do to isolate the problem please let me know.

  • From: Germany
  • Registered: 2007-04-10
  • Posts: 9,751

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

Did you also disconnect the MF itself from power? Not just the laptop?


Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

Regards
Daniel Fuchs
RME

RME Support's Website

  • Registered: 2009-12-19
  • Posts: 16

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

Yes, I unplugged the multiface and laptop for a few minutes.

I will have an older WinXP laptop with an older chipset later today to try.  I'll re-try the install procedure on both laptops.  Please let me know if there are other tests you would like me to try since I am just borrowing the older laptop for a short time.

8 Reply by steelcitysi (edited by steelcitysi 2010-02-09 07:05:10)

  • Registered: 2009-12-19
  • Posts: 16

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

Unfortunately, the same problem exists on a Compal FL92 running WinXP SP3.  I tried two sets of driver & FUT: the older ones from the installation CD and the new ones from the website.  On both laptops with either set of driver/FUT, the red host LED is always on and DSP settings says I/O box state is "Error".  If I try running Digicheck 5.23, it says "Opening audio device: Error number 4".

As always, I reboot the laptop after driver installation and power cycle both the laptop and MF2 after the subsequent flash update.  I've spent a lot of time on this so I'm ready to RMA this unless there are some other suggestions.

  • Zapp
  • Zapp
  • S/Mux specialist
  • Offline
  • From: Vienna
  • Registered: 2007-06-11
  • Posts: 321

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

Have you tried another cable?

regards
Zapp

Regards
Zapp
  • Registered: 2009-12-19
  • Posts: 16

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

Didn't try another cable but I did check the included cable with a multimeter for shorts to shield, shorts between pins, and if the end-to-end pinout matched for 6-pin firewire.  It looks good.

The included cable seems long so I can try a shorter firewire cable, but I'm not hopeful if the FUT tool has been reporting successful flashes.  Thanks for the suggestion!

  • Registered: 2009-12-19
  • Posts: 16

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

Tried another cable today, the problem is still there.  I also tried disabling all the other audio drivers on my laptop e.g. realtek, hdmi audio, etc. but it did not affect the problem.

12 Reply by steelcitysi (edited by steelcitysi 2010-02-11 18:07:37)

  • Registered: 2009-12-19
  • Posts: 16

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

So after several attempts, the system now recognizes the Multiface incorrectly as a Digiface.  Did a search on the forums and this seems to be a problem that pops up every once in a while:

http://www.rme-audio.de/forum/viewtopic.php?id=5903
http://www.rme-audio.de/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2895
http://www.rme-audio.de/forum/viewtopic.php?id=2430
http://www.rme-audio.de/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3390
http://www.rme-audio.de/forum/viewtopic.php?id=4847
http://www.rme-audio.de/forum/viewtopic.php?id=7351

Given that there are people out there who must be using the Multiface + expresscard successfully on WinXP, does this issue fall under
a) occasional bad Multiface2/expresscard hardware units
b) system related i.e. driver not compatible with particular combination of computer hardware and operating system
c) other

thanks

  • Registered: 2008-11-04
  • Posts: 90

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

...i reckon it's driver related...have the same issue from time to time (i'm using a multiface1 with expresscard and a macbook pro)...solution:
put in card, then quit mixer + settings, trash the prefs, relaunch mixer + settings: now you should have your interface displayed as "multiface"
good luck!

  • Registered: 2009-12-19
  • Posts: 16

Re: Multiface 2 / HDSPe expresscard RED Host LED

thanks Scheffkoch for your reply.

I've sent the Multiface and expresscard in for servicing today, so we'll hopefully find out soon why my Multiface was never able to successfully connect.