Problem with version 2.28 and DAX driver error.

I have just installed SmartSDR v2.28 and am having a problem with a DAX driver error. I have never had any issues with installing the many updates of SDR in the past. I have a Flex 6700. Before installing version 2.28 I did the following, following Tim’s advance recommendations:

1. I export my profiles routinely and do so after each addition or change to my Profiles

2. I noted that Windows 1803 had been installed

3. I uninstalled all previous versions of SmartSDR starting with the oldest first, not uninstalling the DAX drivers.

4. On the most current version of SmartSDR, 2.1.33, I uninstalled the DAX drivers

5. I downloaded v 2.28

6. I installed SmartSDR v 2.28

7. I rebooted between each step when requested

8. Windows appears to be functioning normally and no other applications are running

I received the DAX Driver Error listed below.

I manually uninstalled and reinstalled DAX Drivers as outlined by Tim in “How to Manually Re-Install DAX Drivers”

I turned off, then disconnected the 6700 from power. I reconnected the 6700 then turned it on and allowed it to reboot.

When starting SmartSDR: SmartSDR CAT, DAX control panel, and SmartSDR boot up.

When I start up SmartSDR I get the following Error:

DAX Driver Error

“An error has occurred while trying to open a DAX sound device. The following fault conditions may apply:

· The DAX driver may not be properly installed

· Another application has exclusive use of a Reserved DAX sound device

· The DAX sound device may have been manually disabled

If this problem persists, please submit a HelpDesk support request (...) for technical assistance.”

I have done all that has been recommended and it is now apparent that I need to refer to a higher authority.

Jim Kauten, MD, W4TE

Jim--W4TE

6 Posts
1 Reply Like

Posted 2 years ago

2 years ago

N5LB - Lionel B

230 Posts
70 Reply Likes

Jim, I had the same error that seemed to have been the result of my removing the old drivers before installing 2.2.8 and probably tried the same steps you have taken. I uninstalled everything Flex except the serial port driver. Two solutions worked for me: yep I had to go thru the process twice- my error.

1. Uninstall all Flex software - then I did an OS reset that wiped out most apps and left the data. The 2.2.8 install then worked. I do not recommend this approach because it takes a long time to reload apps.

2. Tim published a link to manually reinstall the DAX drivers and I you seem to have tried this. The command prompt has to have admin privileges or it won’t work-I tried. With admin privileges the manual reinstall worked. Tim’s notes with the commands shows an old version number of SSDR but changing the version inline to 2.2.8 worked. Folder locations are the same.-Flex is consistent. This second approach I recommend. What I realized is you must follow the instructions on manual install exactly. You can use copy/ paste from Tim’s links to the command prompt, this is fast and worked.

I had already tried #1 so the system was as clean as it gets without a total reinstall of OS: I do not believe this had any effect on the outcome of #2.

It’s frustrating, I know, many bad things were said about MS. Thank you v1803!

After 2.2.8 DAX drivers were working they was the only version of Flex remaining on my system.

Comment

2018-05-20T13:59:06+00:00

Nick

48 Posts
2 Reply Likes

Breaking the drivers and having to manually fix them is a consistent problem with their upgrades. (Just follow the trail of DAX comments after every major upgrade). They could easily distribute a simple script to fix this problem but don't seam to have any interest in it. Any kind of regression testing would find these kinds of problems.

2 years ago

Clay N9IO

649 Posts
175 Reply Likes

I believe you are both correct about it being a W10 problem.
I confirm I uninstalled all previous versions the exact same way and installed 2.28 as you both did except my OS is W7pro. No issues, worked great out of the box.

Comment

2 years ago

WX7Y

853 Posts
183 Reply Likes

I use IOBIT Uninstaller to completely uninstall SmartSDR (and any other program that has it's own hardware drivers) BEFORE any windows updates that I catch and every thing it adds to the Windows Registry, then re-install the latest SmartSDR or other software after the Windows Update is done.

This is caused by a Windows update hijacking the Drivers, trashing the Registry and not a SmartSDR update failure.
Windows 10 is now I think one of the most unstable OS platforms there is out there and it would really be a great move to have SmartSDR ported to a stable Linux package and leave Windows 10 in the dust to die and leave us to just have our radio's stable and there updates to enjoy what little operating time we have without trying to fix the Operating system issues and problems it causes.

73's
Bret
WX7Y

Comment

2018-05-20T16:07:19+00:00

Pat N6PAT

855 Posts
271 Reply Likes

That's why I'm still on 8.1

MS seems to have a nasty habit of releasing a good version followed by a bad version then another good version.

2018-05-20T16:23:23+00:00

N5LB - Lionel B

230 Posts
70 Reply Likes

1803 trashed the drivers for two network printers. I got one working and one only sort of. This version will probably get a bunch of incremental revisions and we will probably get a host of more issues.

Like many I get tired of working on the OS caused problems, and not only the ones affecting Flex. Manufacturers must have enormous problems keeping up with MS's flakey changes.

I should have stayed with 7 or 8.1 but something shiny on the outside is too tempting.

Windows is here to stay. Oh well.

2018-05-20T16:35:15+00:00

Pat N6PAT

855 Posts
271 Reply Likes

The next version 11 or 12 will be solid. It's like they use every other version as a beta release to be tested by the general population then they iron out the problems in the good release.

2 years ago

Mike Sonn

46 Posts
5 Reply Likes

Ran into the same problem here after Windows Update. I completely removed SmartSDR prior to Windows upgrade. Upgraded Windows, reinstalled SSDR 2.2.8 and received the DAX Driver Error.
Removed SSDR, including driver files when prompted. Used Tim's link as mentioned under N5LB under #2. Reinstalled SSDR. Same error.
Despite the "Driver Error", DAX Control Panel operates OK except for the IQ Streams, where IQ 1 shows red, HAS the correct frequency, but indicates "Driver Error" to the right of "Sample Rate".
Device Manager does not indicate any errors in Audio Inputs/Outputs.

WJST-X no longer sees the audio stream, and also gives me an error.
Seems like a lot of dinkin' around every time a Windows update comes along. I've spent several hours on this already.
Any suggestions?

Comment

2 years ago

Andy - KU7T

260 Posts
26 Reply Likes

This worked for me: https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/204017069-How-to-Manually-Re-Install-DAX-Drivers

Andy
KU7T

Comment

2018-05-20T22:04:23+00:00

Mike Sonn

46 Posts
5 Reply Likes

Thanks Andy.
I tried that for a second time. No go. Still have the DAX Driver Error.

Interesting thing...I have a second, almost identical PC I built for use with the Flex, I followed the same process as I stated above, and that PC works just fine. Removed SSDR, updated Windows, reinstalled SSDR and it works just fine.

2 years ago

Nick

48 Posts
2 Reply Likes

Going through and manually deleting and install all of the drivers eliminated the Flex error on start up. But, fldigi still indicates that there is no port audio available. the interesting thing is that the rig control still works. it is usually the other way around after an update. Windows came up listing to DAX Reserved IQ RX 1 for output and DSC Audio RX 1 for input. Does anyone know what we should be listing to for a single slice on the receiver?

Comment

2 years ago

Andy F5VAI

31 Posts
5 Reply Likes

As per Jim W4TE I have never had a problem with Win 10 updates and Flex in 3 years. However, my machine has updated to 1803 OS build 17134.48 and on a new install of V2.2.8 I had the same DAX failure as Jim. So I then manually uninstalled and reinstalled DAX Drivers as outlined by Tim in “How to Manually Re-Install DAX Drivers”

Before running again I switched off Flex 6300 and disconnected from psu. Rebooted computer. Now DAX does not signal a problem, BUT SmartSDR does not run!

Next, uninstalled SmartSDR leaving DAX and CAT. However, on install no DAX or CAT. Uninstalled again and on re-install ticked DAX and CAT. Still SmartSDR fails to run. CAT shows connection to 6300. No process of SmartSDR in Task Manager.

My computer is a new i7 machine 1 month ago and there are very few programs on the machine and I always keep it that way. I am pretty savvy as I started in DOS. However, I am beaten on this at present. Tried running as admin, no joy, no problems with firewall or Bitdefender anti-virus.

Anyone have any ideas please?

Andy F5VAI

Comment

2 years ago

Andy F5VAI

31 Posts
5 Reply Likes

Update from previous post: I uninstalled V2.2.8 and re-installed V2.1.33. DAX failed again with the same failure message. Went through Tim's uninstall notes (an easier way is to go into the relevant folders and right click on the uninstall / install with admin rights - much easier and works). Now DAX not showing error, but on reboot did again. Managed to get SmartSDR to run without DAX running, but would not run if DAX running. So it is a Windows 1803 problem for sure.

Re-installed V2.2.8 and had to go through process of Tim's notes to get DAX without an error, BUT now SmartSDR won't run and I cannot find a way to run SmartSDR without triggering DAX.

I think the time has come to submit to Flex Help Desk.

Comment

2 years ago

WX7Y

853 Posts
183 Reply Likes

If there is anyway of getting into SmartSDR click on the Settings tab and unclick the "Autostart DAX with SmartSDR"

Not sure if you can get into it or not with DAX trying to autostart but just in case it ever lets you in to SmartSDR. May at least get you going with V2.2.8 SmartSDR.

73's
Bret
WX7Y

Comment

2 years ago

Mike Sonn

46 Posts
5 Reply Likes

Update on my DAX Driver Error.
I uninstalled SSDR again.I uninstalled WSJT-X again.I removed Hidden/Ghosted Ports: https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/200883925-Removing-Hidden-or-Ghosted-Com-ports
I reinstalled SSDR V2.2.8No more DAX Driver Error

But, another audio port problem remains.
For WSJT-X, I followed: https://helpdesk.flexradio.com/hc/en-us/articles/202037343-Configuring-WSJT-X-and-SmartSDR-for-Windows

...however, WSJT-X STILL gives me an "Audio Input" error, DAX Channel 1 is enabled in SSDR. Doesn't matter what channel I try. The streaming sound is shown on the DAX Control Panel. I had zero problems getting WSJT-X running before this Win10 update. Grrr.

(Edited)

Comment