Installing Hardware Problem, won't respond anymore

[Tyrheon]

I have a Mackie Onyx Satellite.

I am having trouble getting it to register with Windows 7, (it didn't with Vista either: the problem is not unique to 7).

When I plugged the Onyx in the first few times, the computer recognized it, but not as a Mackie product (because Mackie didn't pay Windows the fee to be recognized by Windows Security or something).

I tried installing the Onyx, but on one of the last steps, it simply told me that it couldn't install.

But that's not the problem, the problem is that I tried the process multiple times (attempting to get the Onyx to install properly), but after four or five times of trying the comptuer wouldn't register the Mackie Onyx at all anymore, (That is to say, when I plugged it in, nothing happened) so I couldn't even get to the step where the error occured.

I'm not exactly sure what the problem is. Does it have something to do with my security purposely not registering the Onyx because of me plugging it in so many times? Or is it something else? In any event I haven't had any success in fixing the problem.

I know the Onyx itself is working, as I have tried it on another computer. I know the firewire cable is working as I have tested it, as well as the computer's firewire port.

Anything would be helpful, thanks somuch guys.

 

[torrentg]

because of me plugging it in so many times? Or is it something else? In any event I haven't had any success in fixing the problem.

"(That is to say, when I plugged it in, nothing happened)"

I'm afraid I know your problem and why it was caused.

You've blown the firewire chip on the unit in question. During your process in troubleshooting, at least one time, you plugged the firewire cable in upside down crossing the data and power lines. This is not normally supposed to even be possible due to the nature of its asymmetrical shape but is perfectly manageable on equipment with cheaper ports. a.k.a. your motherboard or firewire adapter.

Contact Mackie for an RMA and explain to them why. Perhaps they will help you for a lesser fee this way.

Good luck and please tell us how it goes.

To prevent this in the future, they do sell adapters that prevent power from leaving the port. This makes it impossible to cross power and data lines and is a great, cheap and effective way of protecting your equipment. If used, you will have to alternately power the unit with something like a dc adapter plugged into wall.

 

[Tyrheon]

The port works when I plug my ipod into it, that is, it still chrages. Is this possible if something was blown?

 

[torrentg]

The chip on the Mackie is blown, internally. The ports on the computer are fine. The Mackie will not work on any computer any longer, unfortunately.

 

[Tyrheon]

The mackie installed on my laptop just fine, through the firewire port. How can this be?

 

[torrentg]

The mackie installed on my laptop just fine, through the firewire port. How can this be?

If true, only one way. My very educated guess (on this particular matter I mean, not in general heh) was wrong and I apologize. Are you completely sure that it has full functionality? Does it show up in the device manager there?

When chip is blown, unit can still receive power and turn on.

 

[Tyrheon]

I don't see onyx or mackie anything under my device manager. I do know I installed it. I am SURE about that. I saw the process finish, and I know it recognized the mackie.

 

[torrentg]

It is possible to install the drivers even if hardware is shot. Sure way to tell that it's still good is if it really does show up in device manager.

If it is impossible to get it to no matter steps taken, you could probably assume RMA needed.

If that is case (I hope not....but...), it probably will not be that much of a cost for them to replace.

 

[Tyrheon]

Alright, thanks. I'll work on it.

 

[Tyrheon]

Also, my mackie isn't responding anymore when I plug into my laptop. Why did it seem to register the first time?

So you're pretty sure the mackie is broken?

 

[torrentg]

Ya.

I was 99% certain based upon the clues in your first post.