PlanetZ forums - scopeusers.com

hi

sorry if this a repeat of a previous issue, but i can't seem to get the search engine to run on this site.

i'm running a pulsarII, powersampler and Luna system. i've recently started getting the error message 'Missing STDM Connection: Pulsar2 (ID 2) does not seem to have a STDM connection to the other boards. Please check the STDM cables' when i boot up. sometimes i can fix this by fiddling with the stdm cable, but after a few minutes, the message reappears. i've also tried replacing the stdm cable and cleaning the gold strips by gently using a pencil eraser on them.

is there anything else i can try? the creamware support dept is not replying to my enquiry, as usual, and i'm on the verge of going out and buying pro-tools HD in protest.

Have you tried two stdm cables with your cards?.
The manual is not clear when two cables should be used.

It says you can connect three cards with one cable but illustrates three cards with two cables.
Perhaps two cables might be required for your cards?.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Aries on 2006-03-09 04:57 ]</font>

thanks for the suggestion.

i haven't tried that as i only have one cable at the moment, but i've tried disabling the scope home card so that only the pulsarII and powersampler are running and i get the same error message.

i also tried disabling the pulsarII, but then it goes to a main studio tools registration dialogue that asks me for an activation key for powersampler. i've got no idea what this key is, and none of the software activation keys on my creamware page work, even though i've registered the powersampler.

Try a search with keywords "stdm" in the "problem solving" forum and see other PlanetZ'ers problems and solutions.

i've been trying to do that, but the page keeps timing out before it can load.

On 2006-03-09 06:12, jay78jay wrote:
i've been trying to do that, but the page keeps timing out before it can load.

How long before it times out? and what is timing out. This seems strange.

The stdm cable are you connecting it as in the manual?, towards the front.

Try:- http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... 69&forum=1

http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... 73&forum=1

http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... 75&forum=1

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Aries on 2006-03-09 06:47 ]</font>

by timing out, i mean that explorer got to 'this page cannot be displayed' after about 20 seconds. i'm searching for stdm in the problems section and i've selected subject only.

the first link you sent me (http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... 69&forum=1) is talking about the same error message, but i don't think it's happening for the same reason, as Lima says he/she can run a small project without errors. in my case, i get the error message even if i load a project with no connections and a ulli setting. i think i mentioned before, but i don't always get the message when i boot up. sometimes, i can work for up to an hour before it comes, which makes me think there might be a problem with the connectors.

just to double-check, the connectors shouldn't actually 'click' into place should then? they do seem to be have a lot of movement when on the boards, but i don't want to force them for fear of breaking something. also, they have worked up until now without pushing the connectors down any harder.

thanks again for your help

On 2006-03-09 07:46, jay78jay wrote:
the first link you sent me (http://www.planetz.com/forums/viewtopic ... 69&forum=1) is talking about the same error message, but i don't think it's happening for the same reason, as Lima says he/she can run a small project without errors. in my case, i get the error message even if i load a project with no connections and a ulli setting. i think i mentioned before, but i don't always get the message when i boot up. sometimes, i can work for up to an hour before it comes, which makes me think there might be a problem with the connectors.

just to double-check, the connectors shouldn't actually 'click' into place should then? they do seem to be have a lot of movement when on the boards, but i don't want to force them for fear of breaking something. also, they have worked up until now without pushing the connectors down any harder.

Have you tryed resetting your Scope cards, sounds like your stdm connector might be alright, one your Scope cards might not be seated properly.

On 2006-03-09 03:41, jay78jay wrote:
...but after a few minutes, the message reappears. i've also tried replacing the stdm cable and cleaning the gold strips by gently using a pencil eraser on them...

the only thing that might be applied to those contacts is pure(!) alcohol.
The attribute is important as 'cleaning' alcohol usually contains substances that remain on the surface after the alcohol vaporized.
As will do the pencil eraser.

The problem with this message is that it can appear by software only (!) errors too, which is of course misleading - as has been mentioned.

Regarding true physical contact problems there is not only the side of the card but also the contacts of the connector.
In my personal suspect this is most likely to happen at locations with a chemically aggressive air - close to the sea and heavy traffic/industrialization.

It is unavoidable as the mixture of metals (meeting at the contact point) will start electro-chemical reactions and once the problem appears, it's like to repeat after cleaning intervals.
There's a (rather expensive) protection substance (Valis once mentioned it) that may be a remedy IF corrosion is the source - but driver problems and not properly seated cards are just as likely, unfortunately.

cheers, Tom