First gig out live and program freeze?

Hello,
Sorry to hear it.
Did you have your computer plugged into AC, or were you running on battery power. Happened to me once at rehearsal, luckily, and I noticed the AC was not powered, and it was run on battery, until the battery got a little low, then MYDMX froze.
What is your computer?
I have used the MYDMX every weekend for many weeks now, for say,4 hours at a time, with 10 to 15 minute band breaks with no problems at all, and tonight a painfully long theatrical. 2+ hours non-stop. MYDMX performed flawlessly,multiple cues, with several types of dmx fixtures.Did you terminate the last fixture?, It never matters until it matters.
Ed

Running off AC power.
My system specs wont cause the issue. Its about 10x the requirements that MyDmx askes for.

Im going to plug it in at home today and just let it run to see if it may have something to do with being plugged in to a powered usb hub.

Did the computer go into a suspend or sleep mode and maybe woke up? Letting the display sleep is one thing, but if the HD were to rest, I'm sure the software would hate that just about all the way around.

No, nothing went to sleep. I have a laptop that I use for just gigs. The only thing on it is dj and lighting software. All power management options are set to "always on" to prevent any kind of sleeping.

Dig deeper.

With all the crap that gets loaded onto PC's and latops, it's not so simple to just say "it ain't working" or even why. In my case, using Sony Vegas Pro 8.0c, I'm regetting that and backing down to 8.0b. I just did a wipe and re-install of my main computer this weekend, and so I know it's NOT the OS(plus, other people are saying the same thing).

Everybody seems to want to install something not essential. Why? Because they can, apparently. That's one of the problems with Windows, or really could be any OS for that matter. Say, for example, Nero, wants to put all this indexing and media sniffing crap on my machine, and I don't want it. Roxio has to load it's own bundle of unwanted crap. And since we're all going for performance, last thing I need is the latest Quicktime loading all sorts of gobs of goodies I don't even get a damn about.

I do agree that MyDMX should be run on an AC powered computer. No question about that. The dongle must be USB powered, so that means "we're draining the power faster". Hey, it could be worse, it could be like my M-Audio Firewire 410, which is firewire bus powered, and that can be quite the power pig! Adding more USB devices, bus-powered or otherwise, does lead to faster draining. Thank goodness you are on AC power AND in an "always on" mode.

Maybe it's your DJ software. Well, maybe not the DJ software itself, but perhaps something tied to it, that in and of itself is not a problem, but perhaps MyDMX doesn't like something. Are you using the 3D Visualizer with MyDMX when doing your DJ software? I can probably assume that you're not since it's not necessary at this point in time.

Are you running any MIDI hardware or controllers, even if USB devices?(say, a Korg Nano-something? I'm getting the NanoKontrol tomorrow) Perhaps MyDMX is getting confused by something. I don't know how DJ software works, but I could certainly see some sort of interface via USB or firewire to help do effects and battle things.

It is possible to be a hard drive sleep issue, that always screws things up.

Look into what you've got running. Ensure you are NOT using your wireless at the time. I find it really screws things up with ProTools, and I've had BETTER performance using Sonar Home 6 with it off, as well as improved performance and reliability with MyDMX by disabling it. Just, wireless consumes too much resources and is overall not super reliable anyways due to the nature of it. But, since I am using a MacBookPro, I typically boot to Mac to use ProTools, but even so, Wireless is still getting turned off.

I'm not without my share of problems from MyDMX, but I'm pretty much in a zone where I can live with it as I know what to do, or rather not do. Don't boot with the dongle plugged in. Have wireless disabled, then reboot(it often crashes the computer when I try to disable it after doing a few things. I boot up, disable, reboot, takes care of it). I had a 3-day event, and granted, I was only doing very simple scene changes and MyDMX didn't see a lot of heavy duty action. But, a typical event would run from 10AM to midnight(14 hours) and MyDMX ran without so much as a hiccup on that MacBook Pro, running XP Home and Boot Camp 2.1. All things considered, that is NOT MyDMX's ideal situation. Could be worse, I could be using the Parallels emulator software, but I just don't trust those ever.

Let me as this question: Are you SURE that MyDMX was NOT doing anything? My problems with MyDMX at an event was MyDMX was moving in super slow-mo(say, taking 3 minutes to do what normally would be a 2-second fade), and even then, I'm not sure if anything was being sent down the line. Due to the fact that the "show must go on", I simply switched to my DMX Operator and kept on chugging. But that was a one-off, and it was because I booted with the dongle plugged in. Next event a short while later, no grief from MyDMX.

Also, don't say your system specs won't cause the issue, 'cause, it CAN. Some Dells and Gateways had a history of stupidity on the USB and/or firewire, making them unsuitable for pro audio. This was NOT a software issue, it was poor hardware design.

Also, DON'T rule out that your machine is "Just for this and that", although let's face it, the fact that your machine is being used in a more or less application specific environment is a GOOD THING. My machines are typically purpose built: They are designed to do a few things SUPER good, and I don't give a crap if they do anything else. I have low end machines I can use for "office" type tasks, saving my horsepower for the upper end machines for the buttkicing tasks. My MacBook Pro was bought for 1 reason: ProTools. At the time, ProTools and the latest Mac OS X(10.5.2) was NOT compatible with ProTools, so I could use the laptop as a PC and keep on going until Digi had a fix. Since they fixed it, I still use it mainly as a PC, but for audio, it's Mac time.

But back to not ruling out your machine based on specs is foolish. Is this something YOU wiped CLEAN and then controlled ALL of the software getting loaded onto it? Any store-bought system is gonna be chock full of crap that in some cases CAN NOT be totally removed. While the hardware may be solid, the software can cause disasters. Of course, this requires a bit extra money for the OS license and the patience to get it done. But, I redid my main computer this weekend, and with breaks(including SLEEP, a birthday party, watching a DVD with the kids and a few other hours just frittered away), it was done in less than 24 hours, and that also INCLUDED having to download Service Pack 2(I had SP3 handy, something I will correct by keeping SP2 nearby). Hardware with crappy software is just plain crappy.

USB: Maybe you're ONTO something. I do recommend ALL users to have a POWERED USB hub whenever possible. Also, I would recommend a good name brand one that is designed for pro audio. These have less clocking and latency issues than regular ones. The cost is typically less than $10 more for these ones. I personally am trying to avoid carrying around a powered USB hub(or any hub) mainly because that's one more thing to forget or fail or cause grief, noise or give me issues with plugging it in come gig time, especially since I am always under the gun and pressed for time.

Also, not to cloud things further, but how long was your DMX run, and were you using DMX cabling? Also, it has come to my attention that MyDMX dongle doesn't really push the line that hard, but I've had no issues with it driving over 300 feet of cable. Even so, I've upgraded to an OptiBranch/4 for multiple reasons. Also, EddwardM brings up a good point about termination, which is something I've gone on about as well. These are all critical tools we all need in our pockets. I'm going a step further and going to build myself a DMX tester(just tests for presence of signal, not if there are PROBLEMS with it) and a phantom power tester. Gotta see if I can borrow the car and head to an electronics store this week! But, the point I am making is that it can cost under $7 to build these testers and terminators and as such, being so cheap, we have little excuse for NOT having these items as applicable to our situation. For example, I don't expect a DJ to need a phantom power tester, but if he has lights, he needs a DMX terminator and tester.

Chris-
Thank you for your input. Ill try to answer as many of your comments as I can.

As an IT Tech by profession, rest assured I know exactly what’s on my laptop.

The system specs for that are:
Dell Precision M4300
2.6ghz duo core processor
4gb ram
320gb hard drive
All updated Bios on a new motherboard (3 weeks ago)
Windows Vista Home Premium – STRIPPED. I installed this OS myself.
Virtual DJ – DJ software
Other DJ Programs (Media Monkey, ImTooDVDRipper, etc.)
It makes no sense for me to run anything other than AC power, for so many reasons.
No MIDI interfaces
Hard drive is set in Bios to not sleep.
No WiFi during events
I'm sure MyDMX wasn’t doing anything. When I maximized the program window, it had gone back to demo mode.
The only thing I was running was 2 –Chauvet Colorsplash jrs about 5 feet behind me for uplighting using DMX cable.

I believe the culprit was the USB hub losing the signal. However, my computers mouse was also connected to the same hub and it still responded. Bizarre situation.
Ill continue to test and troubleshoot and post anything I may come up with. The fact that I can simply un-plug it and plug it back in to re-activate the software means I can do a quick fix. We have black-out for a second, but it's better then no lights as all.

I'm an IT professional too. I do tons of tech work as well.

Why you went with Dell for a professional platform like this is beyond me, especially considering you are choosing a "workstation" grade machine, when ideally you should be stepping UP the chain a bit and going for their more "butt-kicking gamer" models, which get around the issues in the lower grade machines. But at least you de-crap-ified the Dell by wiping that sucker clean and controlling your install from the ground up.

Mind you, I'm not saying what you have is a load of crap. It isn't. It's just not the right tool for the job. I'd have no problems using it for business apps, but not my pro audio/video/DMX/MIDI stuff. I got an old Latitude C800 that I carry for "business apps" if I need it. Gets the job done quite nicely. Sucks for pro entertainment apps. Consider an 833 PIII CPU, well, it's not even suited for anything these days. Screen is great though.

Dell still has issues with the USB and firewire clocking and are not recommended for use with ProTools, at least as far as laptops. Desktops don't have this issue. I'd rather build my own desktop for ProTools. Wait, I have done that, twice!. Also, do ake into consideration that it appears Dell has chosen to discontinue that M4300 series. I wonder why? It can't be that old at the specs you state.

Even thought both the mouse and MyDMX dongle are relatively low bandwidth devices(think back to when you could run a mouse off the serial port), it's not a speed issue. But, ideally, I would strongly recommend against running both devices off the USB hub running off the USB hub. It's due to the fact that there is virtually no error checking with the mouse and MyDMX(in general terms). It is entirely possible that some bits got lost somewhere by accident. It could be due to a cheap hub, or as you've stated, a passive/bus powered hub.

Now, while I do agre that your quick fix of unplug and re-plug and keep on going, take this bit of advise, which appears to be "recommendations for success":

DO NOT boot the computer with the dongle plugged in. For some strange reason, plugging in the dongle after logging in seems to increase reliability.

Of course, also the normal suggestions apply:
Check your USB cable. No sharp bends, try to use coils whenever possible. Not to knock ADJ, but I'm not using the cable that they included, I had a better cable laying around and am using that instead. I am, oddly enough, using the included cable with a hard drive on another computer.

We haven't ruled out anything yet. All we're doing is offering things to check. It could be the dongle, it could be the cable, and it could be the software. It just just be the suck-itude that is Vista, which Microsoft is working hard to bury into a deep ditch and phase it out ASAP. But it's most likely tied to MyDMX and items associated with that.

If you haven't done so already, download the latest from the web site. I think it's a June 2008 release. It's been really stable for me. it is the version that gave me grief that one time, but has given me no issues since then.

I'd recommend a powered hub rated for pro audio applications. It should go without saying it should be USB 2.0, and good luck finding one that isn't these days! Only reason I am against using a hub is that I just don't want to drag one around and it's more stuff to fail or break at an event.

Also, where is your audio source coming from? Internal drive? You better have a 7200RPM drive and for laptops, they really stick it to you for those prices. Better option is an external USB or firewire 3.5" drive, again, 7200 spin, internal is not an issue, P-ATA/ATA/IDE/E-IDE and SATA are all fine, as long as the drive specs good. Firewire is preferred as that interface takes some IO off the CPU, leaving a bit more resources for, say the virtual DJ program, which, if I compare that to the resources required for MyDMX, would be the more demanding app(your DJ software).

Have fun. But if it was me, I'd split those tasks up onto sepparate machiens, but that's me and I've got enough spare maachines to do that with.

The Dell Precision, albiet a "workstation" has been a fantastic machine. The thing is a workhorse that seldom gets hot and the cpu handles multi-tasking better then any other pc I've seen, Mac or PC. Why has it been discontinued - All pc's/laptops get discontinued today after 5 months. At that point, they're outdated. We all know that.

In terms of why I havent moved up into the XPS or similair models - honestly, Im not impressed. I was very interested in Alienware's until Dell bought them. Now Ill wait to see what happens. If they leave a great product alone, then we'll look at that again in a few months.

As far as Vista is concerned - despite the negative feedback it receives, I've had very good luck with it. In fact, with the addition of DirectX10 - unsupported by XP, I find many of my 3D applications run much smoother. Anyone with the knowledge can go in and eliminate 90% of the crap that Vista thinks you need, bringing your system back to an "xp like" system with the useable added features that vista offers. For those who dont have the knowledge or knowhow, are happy to pay me to do it for them.
The audio source comes from an internal 320gb/5400rpm Sata drive. No issues w/ load times at all so while I agree 7200 is better, I havnt needed it. In addition, I run a number of external hard drives and/or keep them in the bag for back-up. You ever watch Mythbuster? The 7200's dont actaully spin at 7200rpm.

Ive got all the updates so I can rule that out.
Either way - Ive gone from the digital controller to the software base with the purchase of MyDmx. I have no interest in putting the controller back into my rig. Ill continue to work on this. Im going to set up and run the lights in my office today, using a direct usb connection w/o the hub and see if it shuts down after X amount of time. That will allow me to rule out the hub.

Update:
I had an IT job to do today, so before I left, I plugged in MyDmx and connected 4 of my lights to it. I turned the program on and just let it run. I was gone about 4 hours and upon returning home, the show was still going.
This tells me the issue is most likely with the USB powered hub.

Well, you can save yourself SOME hassle. You don't need to connect up any lights. That's only for a sanity check in this situation.

Yes, I've watched Mythbusters, and I know about the "actual" vs. state spin times. But doing pro audio for 25 years, and watching ProTools evolve from NOTHING to what it is today, I am NOT about to put my stuff on anything less than a stated 7200 spin drive, preferable wiht a 8-16MB buffer. SCSI is always prefered, but is getting harder and harder to deal with.

When I run ProTools(mac or PC), and use a 5400 spin drive, the delay is not acceptable. On a 7200(nothing else different, and YES, both drives were optimized, and by optimized, I mean: FORMATTED and then the data moved onto it), there was still delay, but at an acceptable level(what I would expect even in a tape-based environment). And I'm not using a HD or TDM system either, just a super lowly Firewire 410 and ProTools MPowered.

And don't think having "all the updates" fixes stuff. I've seen them break just as many things as they fix. For example, my Primera Bravo software, everytime there is an update(or at least major ones), I can't use my Bravo disc publisher anymore until Primera comes up with a fix. Similar problems have occurred for ProTools, which if you think back(Assuming you were aware) was NOT certified for SP2 on XP for well over 8 months after SP2 was released.

In your test, outside of actually hooking up your lights, try emulating as close as possible what your scenario was when you had the problem. Removing the hub from the equation is good, but you need to more closely emulate. For example, I can run MyDMX and Sonar Home for a few hours, but then at some point, they just sort of get mutually hosed up. I typically have to quit MyDMX(mainly since it will exit faster). But again, this application involves running Sonar for MIDI triggering of MyDMX on ONE laptop for HOURS at a time. This is NOT an ideal application for one laptop. Of course, this is NOT the same as what you're doing, since I'm getting the impression one is NOT driving the other.

I also had an IT job to do today. Yes, that $150/hour is gonna be nice. Too bad that client constantly takes 6 months or more to pay. But when they pay, they pay big because it's been adding up and finally some accountant has to be leaned on before they get fired to cut me a check. I only have the energy to do that twice a year with them.

Have you tried the mydmx since the failure, has it worked for an extended period of time? You can take a fixture or two, program a simple scene or two, you can walk away and let it repeat over and over to see if there are any problems, do you have a dmx terminator, they cost about $5.00.
Ed

Its been tested again and I do have terminator plugs.
Without the USB hub, it's been...ok. Ill continue to troubleshoot, I just wont be taking my controller out of the rig quite yet.

DJBREW,

I too have experienced MyDMX locking up on me after periods of no input. It has done it about 50% of the times I have used it to run a show. I am not an IT guy and pretty much suck with computer stuff. I have not seen anything that shows me a trend of why this happens. My low tech solution is to completely shut down my laptop and then rebooting MyDMX before a show. This has worked 100% of the time. I even come by and give the mouse a wiggle while the band is on a break just to be safe and make sure the computer does not get bored and lock up MyDMX. It is a pain but has seemed to work for me. Any suggestions you may I have I would be interested in reading.

Ric

How's this for an application:

I work the Sac Horror Film Festival every year. It's not unusual for me to go from a bit of live entertainment(anywhere from a couple minutes to well over 2 hours at a stretch) with PERHAPS scene changes, but typically just white wash, to then into a movie section that can last UP TO 2 hours in blackout with not only MyDMX being ignored, but the computer itself.

Last year I had a challenge. Big deal. It was a dancer who needed a specific color change at a certain point in her act. Other than that, not much challenge.

MyDMX performed flawlessly from 10AM that day until midnight. In fact, it worked flawlessly the entire 3-day event.

What works for me? Well, let's examine my chain, which isn't anything unusual: USB right to MyDMX Dongle. In 2007, it was then from the dongle to a 200-foot DMX cable(yes, a DMX cable, not microphone). This might be unusual for many of you, but shouldn't be way out there. In 2008, the dongle went DMX OUT into an Elation OptiBranch/4 splitter/repeater, then out to the 200-foot cable, which is probably less common for most users here.

No USB hubs, powered or otherwise.

What am I doing? Well, I do boot up the computer without the dongle plugged in. After logging in and waiting a few minutes(say, after I got in, power up FOH, then power on amps and lights, login to laptop and then a bathroom break), I then plug in the dongle, wait for the happy tones, launch MyDMX and I still have 30 minutes before doors.

I do suggest the following though, and DJ Brew is already doing it,a nd so are a few others:
Disable virtually anything that puts the computer to sleep, either in whole or in part. Don't let the machine fall asleep. If you want, kick off the screen saver, althought I don't do this, mainly since I haven't changed this. Don't let the hard drive go to sleep. These things can cause problems due to the computer not being actively used despite MyDMX actually doing something, it's not seen as "active user input".

Right now I'm doing different MyDMX testing. I've had the laptop on for a few hours, and after logging in, I plugged in the dongle, and I also plugged into a DMX terminator just because it was already plugged in. I then installed a Korg nanoKONTROL to test with MyDMX.

I did have an issue before an event, and I didn't follow my own rules. Super slow-mo mode. Oh crap, seen this before. Didn't feel like taking changes, unplugged the dongle after force-quitting MyDMX, then rebooting with dongle unplugged. Plug in dongle, launch MyDMX, show went on flawlessly.

DJ Brew:
I STRONGLY recommend NOT removing your controller from your rig. I suppose I should, but I won't. Why? I need fallback and redundancy. While I'm on an analog audio console so I don't have to worry about crashing issues, MyDMX is just not something I'm willing to "risk it all" on, but it just comes from 25 years of being in the business. While the more I use MyDMX and the more it proves itself, what's to say something stupid happens? It could even be my fault and come show time, I'm screwed. Nope, swing a cable over to the controller and I'm good to go again. Yes, my DMX Operator isn't all super programmed, but I can fake it if I gotta! It's there, it's taking up 3 spaces in my rack, and I ain't gonna give it up.

If you're gonna take your controller out of your rig, at least keep it nearby and handy as you never know.

In the meantime, check out some audio rated powered hubs. It's pointing at your hub now, but you know that. It's just not suitable for the environment and application.

When I use my MyDMX dongle on my main workstation, it does hang off a powered USB hub and never gave me any grief. I recently wiped it clean to clear up all sorts of accumulated issues, so it's running great again, but without MyDMX on it(not necessary for that machine).