JKenney MK2 modified HiFace - Can't Get It to Work

fado · « **on:** 2 Jan 2012, 06:12 pm »

I purchased a JKenney MK2 modified HiFace second hand and have not been able to get it to work. I have HP and Dell laptops running Windows XP and have tried to carefully follow the HiFace installation instructions - driver downloads, etc. but the computers do not seem to be able play music through the USB port to which the HiFace is attached.

When I think I have everything set up correctly and attempt to start up the music streaming source, Pandora, it will not start up. When I already have Pandora playing through the computer speakers and then turn on the HiFace the music keeps playing through the computer speakers but I can hear computer sounds ("blips, clicks, pongs") through my system speakers. The HP is old but the Dell is only about three years old.

Any help will be appreciated enormously.

HAL · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Jan 2012, 06:21 pm »

On the PC what software are you using to playback the music?

The PC is recognizing the HiFace, but the music software is not using that output.

Is it possible to setup a known working music player like Foobar2000 to direct the music playback to the HiFace?

Just some thoughts.

fado · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Jan 2012, 06:41 pm »

I am not using any player. That could well be the problem. I use my Bryston BDP-1 to play back stored music files and only use my computer for streaming music sources - primarily Pandora.

I will try installing a player to get a working system and then see if Pandora will cooperate. Thank you very much.

srb · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Jan 2012, 06:45 pm »

If a player (Media Player, iTunes, foobar, etc.) still doesn't work, have you verified that you are plugged into a USB 2.0 port? Certainly the 3-year old Dell should have USB 2.0 ports.

1. When you look in Control Panel > Device Manager > Universal serial bus controllers do you see the word "Enhanced" associated with any of the USB Host Controller entries?

2. Do your XP installs have at least Service Pack 1 installed (SP1)?

If so, you might try a different USB port. However, it's odd that it's not working on two computers (unless it's the "Pandora" thing). I know M2Tech says that "HIFACE Kernel Streaming" should be chosen for the playback device under Control Panel > Sound > Audio tab > Playback device. Is there another HIFACE entry that can be chosen?

Steve

fado · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Jan 2012, 07:02 pm »

I believe both computers have USB 2.0 but will have to confirm the HP. I also believe both computers are running Service Pack 3, if not - definitely SP2. As I recall Kernel Streaming was the only available option. I have been through the Windows trouble shooting programs numerous times and seem to recall the "Enhanced" term. It has been almost a month since I gave up.

I think I will uninstall everything related to the HiFace; install Foobar and get it working; then re-install HiFace and see where I am. My system is apart right now so it will be several days before I can try all of this.

Thank you for the addition suggestions.

fado · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Jan 2012, 02:44 am »

Thank You srb & HAL - I am now playing both computer files and Pandora through the HiFace. I somehow missed the need for using a player (I used Foobar). The player allowed my computer to see the HiFace and once it was recognized I could change my audio device settings to play Pandora to the HiFace.