Topic: Firewire 410 warning from M-Audio - hot-plugging

[kskreider]

I was PM'ing someone to tell them which 410 driver to use and I happen to see that they updated it for 2000 and XP in July w/o my knowledge.  However, this update comes with a warning. 

For references purposes, I have cut and pasted it below.

Reports have come to our attention of isolated problems when hot-plugging IEEE 1394 (aka “FireWire”) devices. (Hot-plugging refers to making 1394/FireWire connections when one or more of the devices—including the computer—is on.)

When hot-plugging, there are rare occurrences where either the FireWire peripheral or the FireWire port on the host computer is rendered permanently inoperable. While M-Audio products adhere rigidly to the FireWire industry standard and pass stringent internal testing, the possibility remains that hot-plugging your M-Audio FireWire interface with some computers may result in the type of problem described here.

We strongly encourage you to protect your equipment by refraining from hot-plugging any bus-powered FireWire device, including the M-Audio family of FireWire products. Connect your FireWire device while both the computer and FireWire device are powered off. Power on the FireWire device, then turn the computer on last. If you are using bus power (systems with IEEE1394 6-pin connectors) make sure you make the cable connection first, then turn the FireWire device power switch on, and turn the computer system on last.

M-Audio is being proactive in investigating any issues that may adversely affect our customers. Please consult the Knowledge Base in the Support section at www.m-audio.com for updates on this important issue.


In case your M-Audio FireWire device is not detected by your computer on startup, try one or more of the following troubleshooting steps instead of hotplugging it:

1. Turn your M-Audio FireWire device off, wait 30 seconds then power it on.

2. Put your computer into hibernation mode, wait 30 seconds then reactivate it.

3. Restart the computer (don’t turn it off) while the M-Audio FireWire device remains connected and powered on.

[MattD]

FWIW, I think Metric Halo had this issue and fixed all of their units a while back (offered free and they covered shipping!). I believe there is an issue with the Firewire standard on this, since theirs are supposedly in spec too. I think it has to do with hotplugging a device that is pretty high-current compared to most things plugged in FW ports.