Creation Station reboots by itself during ProTools sessions??!?

[Dtoxic911]

Hey guys, hope you can help me out. I currently have a Creation Station Pro, running Windows XP, & ProTools 7. My Creation Station has a tendency to shut down after a few hours use & automatically re-boot itself. This can be a problem, especially when in the middle of a recording session. I called tech support, & they seemed to think it was a bad power supply problem so they sent me a new one. Even with the new power suppy its still re-booting by itself. When reporting this to tech support, they sent me a brand new computer to replace the old one as they could not determine why it was doing what its doing. Ok so I hooked up the new computer & lo & behold the brand new one is doing the exact same thing!!!! sometimes even while attempting to install Pro tools, or even when Pro Tools isnt running & just trying to download something. This is a complete mystery & Tech Support is stumped too. Any suggestions?

[dpd]

Hey guys, hope you can help me out. I currently have a Creation Station Pro, running Windows XP, & ProTools 7. My Creation Station has a tendency to shut down after a few hours use & automatically re-boot itself. This can be a problem, especially when in the middle of a recording session. I called tech support, & they seemed to think it was a bad power supply problem so they sent me a new one. Even with the new power suppy its still re-booting by itself. When reporting this to tech support, they sent me a brand new computer to replace the old one as they could not determine why it was doing what its doing. Ok so I hooked up the new computer & lo & behold the brand new one is doing the exact same thing!!!! sometimes even while attempting to install Pro tools, or even when Pro Tools isnt running & just trying to download something. This is a complete mystery & Tech Support is stumped too. Any suggestions?

XP Home or Pro?
ProTools LE or HD?
Anti-Virus running?
I'd strongly recommend you get your system off the internet
Firewall enabled?
Automatic Windows Updates enabled?

[Joseph Hanna]

Strange indeed....but

.....wasn't Sweetwater able to re-create the problem with the 1st returned computer??

Or...

send the second one back and ask them to re-create the situation.

[scottdemarko]

Definitely call tech support @ 1-800-222-4700 x6400 to advise them of the situation. They are open @ 9:00 A.M. Indiana time. There has been a nasty virus going around lately. My main desktop that I use for internet just got wiped out this weekend despite firewalls, and misc protections. It was rebooting continously for 3 hours finally I gave up and did a fresh install of windows, fixed the problem but I can't explain why it started happening.... So all I can think of is possibly you got a virus if you used it on the net. If not then there is something wrong and the team team will be able to get you taken care of further. Best of Luck and sorry about the situation...

[Justin]

I think tech support is still working on diagnosing this.
It seems strange that both machines did the same thing. We're not getting reports of this from other users, so it's probably something unique. I'm wondering if it's something environmental at your studio. It could be related to heat levels or unconditioned power (if you have occasional brownouts or surges). Are these machines networked to other computers or the internet? I had something like this once where we had a worm in our home network, it would reinfect a system once we got it clean.

Lets get with tech support and get this figured out for you.

[EC_Beast]

Wowzers, that sure is a unique issue. I am curious now as to HOW it's setup, mainly, where. Since it's the Pro Creation Station you can't rack it, so is it maybe in a corner, or some place snug? Also, is it plugged into a surge strip where your gear is plugged into? Next thing, what kind of home network do you have setup? Is it a simple internet sharing LAN, do you have shared files, folders, drives? Now, if you have time you should try a test for me to diagnose the issue. Move the computer and monitor only to a new room (living room, basement, bedroom)...pick one. DON'T plug it into your network, and make sure it's on a power wall socket on it's own, nothing else plugeed in with it, just computer, and monitor. Also, make sure the computer is well ventelated and has lots of space around, maybe the middle of a room? If it's still doing it, reinstall Windows while keeping it there. If it's still doing it, it may be something weird like low or unstable voltage. If it's not doing it, it's either the network has a bug in it, or that particular room has power or heat issues. Maybe change the plug it's in, or the location of the computer. The other option is maybe your version of Pro Tools is corrupt, since you said it happened while trying to install it, and after it was installed. That's really all you can do at this point...Hope this helps!

[Dtoxic911]

Ok the computer is Not connected to the internet, neither was the original one. I didnt feel the need for virus protection if its not connected. I have it plugged into a battery backup along with my monitor, Digi002 unit & Line6 POD with a surge protector, so I dont think its a power loss or power surge. I did speak with tech support today & they told me to try plugging it directly into the wall, that it could possibly be the battery backup affecting it in some way. I was also told to turn up my fans & monitor the temperature of the unit. I'll try both & see what happens. as far as placement of the unit its currently under my desk, both sides open to fresh air so I dont think its overheating. Anybody know a compatible battery backup that works well with the Creation Station?

[Dtoxic911]

XP Home or Pro?
ProTools LE or HD?
Anti-Virus running?
I'd strongly recommend you get your system off the internet
Firewall enabled?
Automatic Windows Updates enabled?
I'm running XP Home, no anti-virus software ,not connected to internet, no firewall, no automatic windows updates enabled

[dpd]

Anybody know a compatible battery backup that works well with the Creation Station?

I run a CS Pro at the radio station with an APC unit (700 VA ???) and use Power Chute Plus to signal the computer that battery is low. Works fine, and I have nearly my entire studio plugged into it (CS Pro running PT HD, two LCDs, Glyph rack, 2 Apogee Rosetta 800s, probably more - can't remember).

BTW, this one IS on our network, runs XP Pro and can connect to the internet via a gateway (our main server). No problems with reboots or viruses and it has been online 24/7 for about 9 months now.

[EC_Beast]

Any kind of UPS will do. I like stuff from APC, like what Dpd has. And he's doing what a lot of people do, which is put their DAW onto a network. It's pretty much harmless unless you're a download ***** and/or have a porn fetish. Infact, soon I'll be posting pictures and info on my new project which is my 1.2TB backup server "Wicked". And DToxic, I'm sure we'll solve your problem shortly, you'll just have to diligintly go through all the posibilities until you pinpoint it. Don't forget about the PT software and/or hardware causing the issue, along with power, overheating yadda yadda yadda. Stick in there!