OSX 10.6.8 not recognising USB/MIDI device

[Coaster]

Hi there,

I recently purchased an Icon G-Board which is a USB MIDI footswitch to enable control of DAW like Logic or Ableton.

The USB cable is definitely powering the unit as it lights up when plugged in. The unit *should* be plug and play but OSX does not recognise that a USB device has been plugged in.

The unit did come with a driver on a CD if required, however, in order to install the driver, you have to choose which Icon device you have from a drop down menu and (you guessed it) the drop down menu remains greyed out as the Mac doesn't see any device as plugged in

I've contacted the UK supplier and the Hong Kong based manufacturer but they don't have any ideas what the problem might be. I've seen lots of other posts regarding issues with SL detecting various USB devices.

Any help would be most appreciated,

Tom

[DeltaMac]

A Mac might NOT show a response, just because a new device was plugged in - unless it is a completely un-recognized device, or the system senses that it needs a driver of some kind installed. And, it could just ignore the device, unless you use software that is supposed to see and use the device.
That is despite the fact that your G-Board user guide appears to show a new device response - which is probably only on Windows.

- questions for you:
Does your DAW use the G-Board, even though the OS X system doesn't seem to do anything with it?
Does your G-Board appear as a device in your System Profiler, under hardware/USB?

I don't see any indication that you should see a dropdown menu to select the device for the install of the iMap software?

(from your user guide)

Quote: Installing iMap Software for MAC OSX Please follow the procedures below step-by-step to install your iMap software to Mac OS X Turn on your MAC. Insert the Utility CD in your CD-Rom and double click “iSeries iMap” icon. iMap “Device select” window pop-up, click the device button accordingly to launch the iMap software.

[Coaster]

Hi there,
Thanks for your prompt response
To answer your questions:
My DAW doesn't 'see' the G-Board
It doesn't show up in System Profiler

Regarding the user guide - the unfortunate problem is that the 'device select' option seems to need to be able to recognise that there is something plugged in as well - so without that option, I can't install the drivers apparently

[trevor]

If nothing at all shows up in System Profiler, then you have a bad USB cable or a bad device. Even unsupported devices with no driver will show something in System Profiler when attached.

Just to be sure, though, that something is not being missed, could we see a screenshot of System Profiler, with Hardware > USB selected?

Trevor

[Coaster]

Hi Trevor,

Thanks for your response. I've attached a screenshot of the System Profiler. I checked and it didn't seem to change at all when I plugged the device in.

If it is a faulty unit, I'm really hoping they don't mind that I've attached it to my pedal board already

Hoping this screenshot sheds some light,

thanks

Tom

[DeltaMac]

Your screen shot shows that _nothing_ is plugged in to any USB port, except for the devices that are internal to your MacBook (you can't disconnect those devices without disassembling your MacBook.)
Be sure to plug something ELSE to your USB port, to check that those are even working. A USB flash drive would be a good choice.
Be sure to try Command-R when that System Profiler is open, to refresh the screen and rescan for devices.

Getting power (lights come one) does not mean that the USB cable (or the device) is good.

Try a different USB cable
Try the device on a different computer (could be good to see what Windows does with the device, if anything at all.)

You said that you have attached it to your pedal board?
So, does that mean that you have not tried it plugged directly into your Mac?

[Coaster]

Hi there,
I've attached another screenshot with a USB gamepad plugged in - and tried both the USB gamepad and the G-Board in both USB ports - so have made sure both ports are working.

I have also tried a different USB cable which gave the same results.

I tried the device on an iMac running Lion and same problem. I've also tried the device through a USB hub - no dice.

When I say 'attached' to the pedal board - I mean I've full on stuck it to the pedal board! Could prove interesting when they ask for it back!! But the G-Board goes directly into my Mac.

Thanks in advance for your help,

Tom

[DeltaMac]

Apparently, the G-Board has a bad USB interface. If that's the only means to connect it, then you need to replace it.
Interesting that you would incorporate a new device on your pedal board before you tested it...

[Coaster]

Hindsight is a wonderful thing! I guess the excitement of a new toy over-rode the sensible process of ensuring it worked before sticking it to my board

Before I return the product, does anyone else have any ideas as to a possible solution?

thanks