Hoo Boy.... I'm stumped!

[Sierranut]

My last issue was in May of 2010 when I asked for (and received) help on getting Win 7 to recognize my Midi-USB cables so I could play with my MT-32.   After obtaining a new set of cables and their accompanying driver, AND installing Putzlowitsch's Midi Mapper, I was good to go. (Playing old games in D-Fend Reloaded, using Dosbox)

Last week, I had to re-install Windows 7 on this machine.  (Wiping out my files and settings) Before I did, I wrote down all associated software and settings, so I wouldn't have trouble re-installing.

So.... with the very same computer, and the very same connections, I re-installed Win 7, I reinstalled D-Fend reloaded, re-installed some of my Sierra games, (I always start with SQ3), reinstalled the M-Audio MidiSport Uno driver, and reinstalled Putzlowitsch's Midi Mapper.

Started SQ3, and saw something I've never seen before: A fleeting display on the MT-32 that said Exc Buffer Overflow.
This was followed by the Insert Buckazoid, then the usual light show on the display.  But..... no sound.  Not again!!!

So I triple checked all the connections (which were just fine BEFORE the Win install), then checked the sound from the speakers..... Good to go.

Re-read my topic from last year, and read the explanation of what Exc Buffer Overflow means.    Double checked the Midi settings in the control Panel (Midisport Uno out), and the Midi settings within D-Fend:
Type: Intelligent
Midi Device: Default  (I tried changing this to Win-32)
Select Midi Device: Choice between MS GS Wavetable Synth (ID=0) and Midisport Uno out (ID=1) 
Chose Midi sport Uno of course, although I later tried the Wavetable , but neither worked.

I tried downloading a couple of Midi compositions and playing them, and although the display seemed to be working fine, I got no sound.

I tried rebooting the machine and the MT-32 several times, but no go.

The settings in the game are correct
The settings in D-fend, Dosbox are correct
Putzlowitsch's Midi Mapper via the Control Panel shows the Midisport Uno is the default Midi device.

What am I missing?  It's not like I could have hooked something up wrong. It's all the same.  Another thing.... the Exc Buffer Overflow message does not always preceed the Insert Buckazoid message. I have NO idea....


Thanks in advance!

[Mau1wurf1977]

Man that sucks...

This is what my config file looks like:

I don't use that MIDI picker tool though.

[midi]
mpu401=intelligent
mididevice=default
midiconfig=1

The MIDI adapter is the cheapest one I found from eBay (new from China) and the drivers install themselves...

[jharris01]

D-Fend Reloaded! Love that program.

@OP: I am reading your thread with wary interest as I just recently changed to Windows 7 myself on a more permanent basis. I've yet to find a definite solution myself.

I would suggest you arm yourself with an extra dose of patience and treat this as an USB problem. Research the Internet on how to troubleshoot USB problems.

Check for IRQ sharing. Use a tool like AIDA32 to see what IRQs your USB ports are using. Try to find a USB port whose IRQ is only being used by USB channels. Check how crowded it is, what usb device is using what. Move them around.

Do the usual stuff: manually uninstall all usb related entries for drivers, hubs, from your Device Manager. Use a System Restore point if you have one available. Create one when you are done cleaning your USB entries.

Disconnect all your usb stuff. Restart your machine (preferably turn it off completely).

Once clean then do the tedious process of plugging your USB gadgets one by one. Test DOSBox each time. Note what happens.

Got a spare USB hub or spare PCI USB card? I know you said your setup worked fine before the OS re-install, but try using a self-powered hub. MIDI doesn't require a lot of bandwidth (even an old 1.1 USB hub will do).

It's all stabs in the dark. Maybe someone else will have a more specific answer. Good luck!