Can't get any sound through my S/PDIF input on AP2496 ("Unlocked") RESOLVED

[dlj_89]

Hey guys.
I've been using my M-Audio Audiophile 2496 soundcard for many years (6 yrs) and the last couple of years together with my Soundcraft Spirit M4 mixer.
Recently, I moved into my new music studio and chose to reset my system which I've done several times before without any problems.

But after installing everything again I can't get any sound from my mixer and into my 2496 soundcard through S/PDIF as I've done before restarting the system (my Soundcraft mixer has a S/PDIF output). In my M-Audio control panel it says that the S/PDIF signal is "unlocked" and, when installing the previous driver, "invalid and not present". I've tried different cables, double checking all stupid mistakes such as putting the mixer's S/PDIF output into S/PDIF OUT on 2496 and so on but none of my troubleshooting has been succesful. I've also checked if I can change the sync sample rate on the Soundcraft mixer; but same result.
When i choose "external - s/pdif" as the sync source instead of "internal" I just get a noisy signal, some whizz. I don't get any output signal as well when choosing "external - s/pdif" (which is working perfectly fine with the "internal" sync source btw). In addition to that S/PDIF is just grayed out in the control panel's mixer etc. When I go to Control Panel > "Sound and Audio Devices Properties" > "Audio" the volume option for recording audio is grayed out as well.
I've tried both the SP2 and SP3 driver for Audiophile 2496 and Windows XP but it doesn't change anything.
MIDI is working fine as well so I don't think the breakout cables is damaged.

What can I do?
Hope you can help; I'm so eager to start using my equipment again!! ;)
Thanks in advance!

[JA]

Your setup and settings sound correct. Selecting External/SPDIF sync should allow the Delta card to lock to it's S/PDIF input. Is the Soundcraft the only external digital device you have to test with the Audiophile? Is there any way you can test the mixer to confirm it's properly sending S/PDIF?

Does analog I/O work properly? Is playback clean?

Have you tried disabling your built-in sound card? You may try disabling Ethernet and Wireless to see if they are interfering. You could also move the 24/96 to a different PCI slot.

[dlj_89]

Analog I/O works properly and is detected in the mixer as it's supposed to.
I've tested the Soundcraft's S/PDIF output with an MPC2500 but I don't think I'm able to test it properly with this machine. I didn't get any signal through, though. If I had a harddisk recorder it would be easy to test.

My built-in sound card is disabled but I haven't tried another PCI slot for 2496.
But since all functions but S/PDIF works fine (MIDI, analog I/O etc.) I think it has something to do with the configuration or the Soundcraft's S/PDIF output. I'm leaning towards the first solution even though I believe everything is properly set up.
Something must be wrong; I just don't know what? :(

[JA]

Can you test the S/PDIF input of the 24/96 using the digital output of the MPC?

[dlj_89]

I just tested the digital output from the MPC into the 24/96 S/PDIF input. Signal is still "unlocked" and no sound is coming through so I think there must be some kind of problem with the 24/96 configuration..
I don't know if it may be conflicting with my on-board soundcard even though it's disabled? Do you think I would gain from trying a new PCI slot?

[JA]

It's definitely sounding like a problem with the card or cable. I would suggest testing different PCI slots just to be sure. Shut down your computer before moving the card; when the system loads the drivers should load automatically.

[dlj_89]

Now, I've tried moving it to another PCI-slot but.... same result.
I start thinking that the breakout-cable must be broken since it's only the digital input that apparently doesn't work :(

[JA]

Send me a private message with your name and address and I'll send you a new breakout cable.

[dlj_89]

Hello again.
Yesterday I received the new breakout cable and I'm very to announce that.... IT WORKS!! Yeehaa! :D
I really appreciate your support, it's been amazing.
Thank you very much.

To any of you guys who's gonna get the same kind of problem, please check your 2496 Audiophile card with another breakout cable before you start doing anything drastic in your computer. That may save you a lot of time and struggle!!

Thanks again :)