delta 1010 power off? - The Official M-Audio User Forums

shpongled · #1 07-19-2008, 11:01 PM

hey everyone,

i've searched but can't seem to find the answer to this question. I often use my PC for things other than recording, and would like to avoid having the delta 1010 external/breakout box turned on at those times. i always forget to unplug it before booting up, so i'm wondering if it is ok to unplug power after i've already turned my pc on?

further to that, if i decide i want to do some recording and my pc is already on but the delta is off, can i just plug the delta back in and go? or will i need to power off before doing that. i would experiment myself but i'm worried about damaging it after seeing the sticker warning not to unplug the data cable when it is on.

thanks

bcostin1 · #2 07-21-2008, 11:04 AM

DO NOT hotplug the Delta. The power-up sequence is: (1) Delta on, (2) host computer on. I would also highly recommend you leave the Delta power on when connected to the host computer (i.e., don't pull the power supply for the Delta out of the wall, or out of the Delta).

shpongled · #3 07-21-2008, 02:23 PM

ok thanks, good to know. i haven't actually tried it yet, wanted to make sure of this beforehand.

you mentioned i should leave it plugged in all the time - even if the pc is on for days without being turned off? or is it safe to unplug the power on it BEFORE i turn the pc on if i don't plan on using it? reason being it gets a little warm when left on for a while plus it all adds to my electricity usage, i like to only have things on that i'm using

thanks!

peanutismint · #4 07-26-2008, 10:09 AM

I would also like to hear about this... I read in the manual that you're not suppose to connect/disconnect the cable from the PCI card while the PC is on, but let's just say that you did..........what's the worst case scenario? If it's just a sound spike / large pop through your speakers, I could probably live with that, but if it's likely to fry my computer then I'll be a bit more careful... I only ask as the screw heads have come out of my connector on the PCI end, so if I use it at gigs etc, there's every chance someone will knock it out by accident..... would that be the end of the world as we know it?!

JA · #5 07-28-2008, 09:31 AM

I think worst case scenario is you could blow out the PCI card or breakout box, but not the entire computer.

shpongled · #6 07-29-2008, 12:01 AM

i'm still wondering, what about turning the pc on with the breakout box NOT turned on (ie power unplugged, but still connected to the pci card)? is that harmful to it at all? does anyone know?

JA · #7 07-29-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shpongled

i'm still wondering, what about turning the pc on with the breakout box NOT turned on (ie power unplugged, but still connected to the pci card)? is that harmful to it at all? does anyone know?

This is potentially harmful and our recommendation is to either disconnect the breakout cable before powering on the computer, or leave the breakout box powered on.

shpongled · #8 07-29-2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JA

This is potentially harmful and our recommendation is to either disconnect the breakout cable before powering on the computer, or leave the breakout box powered on.

ok thanks

Hurican · #9 07-31-2008, 08:34 AM

I think I have the idea as well, but I'm extra paranoid because I just got the card back from repair with upgraded capacitors (this was a known issue, not because I was reckless about unplugging/plugging it)... so I'd like to be extra clear on it.

I have a dual boot system. A drive for my studio, a drive for office/entertainment.
The Delta 1010 is installed on the studio drive.
The Delta 1010 is installed but disabled on my other drive. (I have another sound card installed for general stuff).

I'd like to leave my rack (with the breakout box) at the studio, and still be able to boot into my other drive when I'm not doing music work.

To date. ANY plugging / unplugging has been done with the Delta completely off, and the computer completely down (the main power switch at the back of the computer, not just turned off).

I would like to know if I can safely boot into my other drive with the Delta PCI card in it's slot, but the serial cable not connected. I think you answered it in the last post, but as I said, at this point having just gotten new capacitors, I'm extra paranoid. :-)

JA · #10 07-31-2008, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hurican

I would like to know if I can safely boot into my other drive with the Delta PCI card in it's slot, but the serial cable not connected. I think you answered it in the last post, but as I said, at this point having just gotten new capacitors, I'm extra paranoid. :-)

This would be fine. One of the Engineers explained that the problem with leaving the breakout box connected but powered off is there would be active signals (voltages) coming across from the host, and these voltages would exceed what is in the 1010 breakout box (which is basically 0V when no PSU is attached); and the 1010 interface circuits have no protection against these voltages.