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1810 Views 8 Replies Latest reply: Mar 14, 2010 3:38 PM by dewey320 RSS
dewey320 Just Startin'
dewey320
7 posts since
Jan 15, 2010
Currently Being Moderated

Mar 10, 2010 9:28 PM

USB mode issues with Spider IV 120 and FBV SB MkII

Not sure if I'm missing something here but I'm really stuck trying to update my Spider IV firmware.  

 

running Vista and have downloaded the latest version of monkey.

 

 

When I connect my FBV SB MkII to my PC via usb it works just fine.   The lcd on the FBV flashes "USB Mode" for a second and then some numbers relating to what look like midi parameters are displayed.  When I start monkey it detects the FBV no problem and I was able to update it with no problem whatsoever.

 

Where I'm getting stuck is when I connect the amplifier to the FBV using a the cat 5 cable that came with the board.  As soon as I connect the amp the board switches out of USB mode and goes back to controlling the amp.  This obviously prevents the computer from talking to the amp through the board.  Monkey can never see the amp, or the board for that matter when the cat 5 cable is connecting the amp/board.    I see the same issue when I connect the board to the amp before powering up and then connecting the USB cable.  I've tried everything I can think of but can not come up with a way to make the board go to USB mode while it's connected to the amp.

 

Without this working there is no way I can update my amp.   Any ideas??    Am I missing something obvious???

 

 

rgds,

 

 

dewey320

  • Nick_Mattocks Expert Line 6 User
    Nick_Mattocks
    8,791 posts since
    Mar 26, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 10, 2010 9:35 PM (in response to dewey320)
    Re: USB mode issues with Spider IV 120 and FBV SB MkII

    Hi

     

    You appear to be connecting everything properly.  When the FBV is connected to the computer your description of what it does is correct.  However when you connect the amp to the FBV at the same time, the display on the FBV should not change.   To me it would appear that you either have a faulty CAT-5 cable (try a standard straight (not X-over) computer ethernet cable) or that your FBV Shortboard is faulty - maybe one of the contacts in the RJ-45 socket is bent and touching where it shouldn't - this might also be true of the socket in the amp.  The problem is hopefully just a faulty CAT-5 cable

     

    Nick

    • dewey320 Just Startin'
      dewey320
      7 posts since
      Jan 15, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 10, 2010 9:49 PM (in response to Nick_Mattocks)
      Re: USB mode issues with Spider IV 120 and FBV SB MkII

      So far I've tried 3 additional cables in addition to the one that came with it (no crossovers, just straight through) and no dice.  I've also visually inspected all pins on both the amp and the board.  No issues with pins, they are all perfectly aligned.

       

      Interesting thing is that I can hear a relay pull in inside the board when I make/break the cat 5 connection to the amp.  You can actually hear a physical switchover from amp mode to usb mode when you disconnect the cat 5.

       

      In any case I am totally hooped when it comes to getting my amp updated until I get this figured out.  Too bad, it looked like it was going to be so easy when I updated my FB in a matter of seconds from the time I connected it to the PC. 

       

       

      dewey320

      • Nick_Mattocks Expert Line 6 User
        Nick_Mattocks
        8,791 posts since
        Mar 26, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Mar 10, 2010 9:59 PM (in response to dewey320)
        Re: USB mode issues with Spider IV 120 and FBV SB MkII

        Hi

         

        Yes - you have a problem with the FBV Shortboard or the amp.  You need to identify which is at fault by substituting a known good shortboard with your amp and a known good amp with your shortboard.  Hopefully you bought both locally and the local store is friendly enough to let you try your FBV with one of their amps and one of their new FBV pedals with your amp. or failing that - and it's a bit more of a long shot, you know someone else with a similar setup to yourself who won't mind you testing your FBV and amp with their kit.   My hunch is that the Shortboard is at fault FWIW, but I have no way of being sure.  For testing purposes trying an FBV Express MkII would determine whether the Shortboard was the cause of your problem or not.

         

        Nick

        • cmashcroft Just Startin'
          cmashcroft
          35 posts since
          Jun 21, 2009
          Currently Being Moderated
          Mar 11, 2010 6:47 AM (in response to Nick_Mattocks)
          Re: USB mode issues with Spider IV 120 and FBV SB MkII

          I cant think of anything very scientific that may help.  So, basic brainstorming in case its something silly (be aware, my technical solution is usually to turn things off and back on until they work!).........

           

          Are you connecting straight to the PC's usb port, or via a USB hub of some kind?  Try going straight in if you are using a hub.  I've had some issues with various brands of gear when using a USB hub.

           

          I assume you have then tried closing and restarting monkey when everything is connected to see if it gives the FBV a kick back into USB mode.

           

          Tried plugging connecting the FBV to the amp and PC but with the PC OFF and then booting up the PC?

           

          Can you roll back the FBV firmware to the previous version?  Just to try if it will then stay in USB mode for you to update the amp.  THEN you can update the FBV again?  Unlikely to be the problem though as everyone else updating their amp would have already shouted about this problem when the new amp firmware was released (including me).

           

          Are you connected and logged into the network via monkey when all this is happening, or is your PC offline?

           

          Have you registered your amp??  I can't imagine that would be the issue, but you never know.  Obviously you can't register it via monkey any more since it isnt connecting!

          Does anyone know if monkey lets you update the software of items that you havent registered?

           

          All very basic crappy ideas, but imagine if its not something obvious, then chances are something needs replacing.

           

          Best of luck.

  • Line6Andy Line 6
    Line6Andy
    4,345 posts since
    Jun 5, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Mar 11, 2010 4:41 PM (in response to dewey320)
    RE: USB mode issues with Spider IV 120 and FBV SB MkII

    Hello,

        Yes, please get another board and let us know your results.

    • dewey320 Just Startin'
      dewey320
      7 posts since
      Jan 15, 2010
      Currently Being Moderated
      Mar 14, 2010 3:38 PM (in response to Line6Andy)
      Re: RE: USB mode issues with Spider IV 120 and FBV SB MkII

      ok, it' looks like i've finally got to the bottom of this and have resolved the technical issue.

       

      I borrowed an FBV MkII from our other guitar player and it worked immediately, no issues.  Have now updated my amp and am running Spider IV Edit without any trouble whatsoever.

       

      So technically the problem is solved,  and I know that the board I have is defective.  Now I just have to figure out how to get it replaced.  Not sure how i'm going to do that yet as I'm in Canada and it's been over a month since I purchased.  Also, I can't be without an FBV (if i have to send it in first before receiving a replacement) since i need it for rehearsal/gigs.   Andy, can you or someone else at Line6 pls advise?

       

       

      rgds,

       

       

      dewey320

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