Alesis io/26 on a Dell with XP Pro: no audio output

[redflapper]

There are a lot of others having problems with clicking, popping, dropouts, and such, with the io/26. However, I haven't found anyone with the problem I'm having.

I have a Dell Optiplex with XP Pro SP3, a Rosewill RC-502 IEEE 1394 PCI card, and Cubase LE4. The computer recognizes the Firewire card and the Alesis. From my guitar, I can successfully monitor via HDM on the Alesis and record in Cubase (I can see the audio waveform in the track display).
But on playback I can't hear any sound through the Alesis.

I have the io/26 set as the default sound device for everything in the Windows control panel. I have set up buses in Cubase for the io/26, and set it as the input and output device. I have the latest drivers from Alesis and Cubase. I have scoured Dell's and MS's sites for relevant updates, and I'm pretty sure I've installed all the latest from them too.

I don't think the problem is related to Cubase, since I can't hear Windows system sounds either. I don't have any other audio/music software installed b/c this machine is intended to be dedicated to recording w/ Cubase.

I've tried everything I can think of; I'm out of ideas. I predict the solution will come from someone who is familiar with this specific issue, but If you can think of anything that might be causing this, I'm happy to consider.

Thanks.

 

[redflapper]

Ahh... the chipset.

So, being the only one to reply to my own thread is a bit humiliating. But, since I brought up the problem, and since I now know the solution, I'll post if for anyone else who might be interested.

My Firewire card had the wrong chipset.
After reading other forums on HR, I saw people asking about which Firewire card to get. (btw, none of these posts mentioned my hardware specifically, which is why I hadn't read them before starting this thread) Many replies stated the importance of getting a card with the TI (Texas Instruments) chipset.

The Rosewill card I had uses the NEC chipset. I ordered a Siig card with the TI chipset and, wouldn't you know, it works great.

Note: Alesis doesn't make any mention of this compatibility issue in anything I read. They do recommend a couple cards, but they don't say why; and the Siig card was not on their list.

The lesson here (AFAICT)? Get a Firewire card with the TI chipset.

 

[Disease8]

That is what I WOULD HAVE RECOMMENDED. Sorry for not replying to your thread quick enough. Always Texas Instruments!