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2756 Views 10 Replies Latest reply: Jan 11, 2011 6:48 PM by jbegg RSS
grantl6 Just Startin'
grantl6
8 posts since
May 5, 2009
Currently Being Moderated

Nov 27, 2010 2:47 PM

Pocket POD repeat/intermittant-reboot issue with Macbooks



 

To summarize:

Plugging the Pocket POD into the front USB port, the POD will start to continually reboot.

In the rear port, the POD will reboot intermittantly, enough to make any editing a nightmare.

 

I  have had some power issues with my MAcbook USB ports, but nothing like  the port causing an already-powered device to reboot. So I don't  understand this.

Can someone explain what's going on, and maybe why I still can't use something properly a year after I bought it?

Tags: pod, usb, mac, pocket, reboot
  • PsicraftTony Iknowathingortwo
    PsicraftTony
    243 posts since
    Jun 22, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 27, 2010 9:57 PM (in response to grantl6)
    Re: Pocket POD repeat/intermittant-reboot issue with Macbooks

    Hi Grant,

     

    You should know that this issue is not universal to all Macbooks - PocketPOD's USB hardware is very specific about its power and bandwidth requirements which means any port that is wired to an internal hub (typically to share the keyboard or mouse with same source as the port) can exhibit the issues you are experiencing.

     

    On MacBooks, we have found that one of the ports is bad for PocketPOD while the other is fine - There is a separate thread on this elsewhere on the Vyzex PocketPOD group that points out which of these is which on MacBooks and MacBook Pros, but this information is also based on 2008 era machines and not the latest ones with the aluminum unibody (which were released AFTER PocketPOD was made). Bottom line is you should try both, which of course you have.

     

    Two things I would try now if I were you:

     

    1. A different USB cable - Who knows... This could be the problem.

     

    2. A quality USB 2.0 powered hub (Belkin makes good ones) between your PocketPOD and the MacBook. I know this sounds contradictory to what I said earlier in this post, but there is a big difference between an onboard USB 1 hub and an adapter powered USB 2.0 hub. This solution would at least ensure your PocketPOD was getting an uninterrupted amount of power, and that sounds like the reason behind the rebooting.

     

     

    Also of note - You should run Line6 Monkey and upgrade your PocketPOD to the latest firmware (1.01) I believe this update resolves some of the USB vulnerabilities of PocketPOD, so if you haven't upgraded you should definitely do it now.

     

    Please let us know how it goes,


    Tony

    • grantl6 Just Startin'
      grantl6
      8 posts since
      May 5, 2009
      Currently Being Moderated
      Nov 28, 2010 4:26 AM (in response to PsicraftTony)
      Re: Pocket POD repeat/intermittant-reboot issue with Macbooks

      OK, Mine's an aluminium Macbook Pro with the black keys.

       

      1: Yes, I've tried a few.

      2: Darn it! :-)

      I thought about this and then read the advice about "not using any hubs" somewhere, quite a while back.

       

      It seems that a powered USB2 hub will be my next step... Though I hate the idea of taking more stuff (another wall-wart and box) on my travels - I like to travel very light normally).

      I still don't get why on earth a powered device is needing any juice from it's USB port though...(?).

      I have occasionally used a cheapish non-powered prosumer audio interface which shoves four channels of audio around the USB system, and other devices which are powered and have had no problems with any of 'em (apart from the nasty preamps, LOL).

       

      I did read on this site that the current update only resolves an issue with "cabinet tuning" and delay times...

      But I'll give it a go.

      My main quandary now is, could this issue be totally resolved with a future firmware update?

       

      Thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

       

      Grant.

      • PsicraftTony Iknowathingortwo
        PsicraftTony
        243 posts since
        Jun 22, 2007
        Currently Being Moderated
        Nov 28, 2010 9:22 AM (in response to grantl6)
        Re: Pocket POD repeat/intermittant-reboot issue with Macbooks

        As this issue is essentially hardware in nature, I am not the one to answer that question - Psicraft Designs made the editor software only, we're not actually part of Line 6 which (obviously) designed and manufactured the PocketPOD. Since the software can't operate when the hardware is intermittent however I have been providing as much help as possible when a user runs into issues like this.

         

        While it is true that PocketPOD already gets its power from a Line 6 adapter, the PocketPOD (apparently - I am not sure about this since I don't have the internal details) ties its On/Off state to the status of the USB port: If the USB goes non-responsive for too long, PocketPOD shuts down. The internal Mac USB hubs on the latest MacBooks seem to momentarily stop responding whenever another internal device connected to the port (such as a webcam, mouse or keyboard) is used and this triggers the reboot. Whether the code for PocketPOD's reboot condition is in firmware or in the USB hardware is another question I can't answer, but it's my understanding that the 1.01 update does address all known issues resolvable in the firmware, so you should give it a go first.

         

        If you still have issues afterwards, can you try using your PocketPOD on a Windows machine or two? If it has the same problem there then I think you may simply have a hardware problem on the PocketPOD itself and should look into trying another PocketPOD on your mac for comparison. Line 6 service should be able to help you fix/replace the unit if this is the case and it is still under warrantee.

         

        Please let us know how it goes,

         

        Cheers,

         

        Tony

        • grantl6 Just Startin'
          grantl6
          8 posts since
          May 5, 2009
          Currently Being Moderated
          Nov 29, 2010 4:17 AM (in response to PsicraftTony)
          Re: Pocket POD repeat/intermittant-reboot issue with Macbooks

          OK.

          I'll try those things, thanks for the info PT, it has at least given me an idea of what's happening.

           

          My instinct tells me it's not my specific P-POD itself, as I have read about others with identical issues. Nobody has mentioned a newer/different hardware version P-POD so I assume they're all the same with regard to how they handle (or "don't") USB power - for now.

          (It's also possible quite a few Macbook Pro people aren't actually reporting or discussing the problem, as they may just buy the P-POD for casual practice and not get too bothered about deep editing.)

           

          But if I can, I'll try another one out.

  • laplayantonio Guru
    laplayantonio
    2,435 posts since
    Sep 26, 2006
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 29, 2010 3:07 AM (in response to grantl6)
    RE: Pocket POD repeat/intermittant-reboot issue with Macbooks

    hello grant

       

       

      your issue is easily fixed: simply keep a jack plugged at its input, for it to stay powered up

       

       

      line6antonio

  • mlschantz Just Startin'
    mlschantz
    2 posts since
    Nov 15, 2007
    Currently Being Moderated
    Nov 30, 2010 2:04 PM (in response to grantl6)
    Re: Pocket POD repeat/intermittant-reboot issue with Macbooks

    The same thing was happening with my iMac. The fix for me was to unplug all the other USB devices.

  • jbegg Just Startin'
    jbegg
    1 posts since
    Oct 19, 2010
    Currently Being Moderated
    Jan 11, 2011 6:48 PM (in response to grantl6)
    Re: Pocket POD repeat/intermittant-reboot issue with Macbooks

    This also happened to me. I had to remove my wireless mouse from the laptop. No problems since. Toshiba laptop

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