Hi, I'm having a similar problem connecting from Win7 32-bit. DAW not started, no issues with the installation of the Microbrute driver, not Generic USB Midi or any such issue. Can send and receive Midi notes over Microbrute USB interface.
I notice in this forum post, you said to start the Microbrute Connection Software from the terminal. I did that - started cmd.exe as Adminstrator, and redirected stdout and stderr to a log file.
Not sure if this helps, but nothing was written to stderr, but stdout displayed the following:
Unable to open 1
Unable to open 2
Unable to open 3
Unable to open 4
Device family member2 : 1 !
I know this forum topic is very old, so I'm happy to create a new Topic, but on the back of your advice that stdout would contain info, I stuck with this thread. Let me know if you want me to create a new Topic.
** EDIT **
Had a bunch of useful stuff here about my experiences... But lost them as my session on this site must have timed out :-(
Anyway, here's the short version...
Found the Technote at the start of this Topic, holding both Octave buttons down on startup. Five Octave lights came on the Microbrute. Tried Updating Firmare, was stuck at 0% on the "Downloading Firmware, don't unplug or switch off the Brute" screen. Stayed like that for ten/fifteen mins, decided to close the software.
(Shouldn't that be "Uploading" not "Downloading"??).
Restarted the Microbrute - five Octave lights stayed on, and Microbrute was non-operational. No attempts to update the firmware worked...
Pulled out a Win7-64-bit laptop, connected the Microbrute (in 5-octave-lights mode), came up as "Updater" device in Windows. Downloaded the Microbrute Connection software, and after two or three attempts, the firmware was updated on the Microbrute. Good stuff! Microbrute back in the land of the living.
Restarting the Microbrute Connection software, connection was established from the laptop to the Microbrute.
Back onto the Win7 32-bit DAW Desktop, connected the Microbrute. Came up as Microbrute device. Started the Microbrute Connection software, still can't connect to the Microbrute. No Virtual Midi software started on my machine, or anything that should lock up the Midi device - I can use the Microbrute for Midi Note input just fine in Ableton. Stdout still presents:
Unable to open 1
Unable to open 2
Unable to open 3
Unable to open 4
Device family member2 : 1 !
FWIW, I have an Ableton Push 2 (switched off), a Steinberg Midex 8, a Codemeter-Stick to store my Reason licence, a USB Keyboard and Mouse and External Hard Drive, and a Motu 828 Mk3 Firewire, connected to the DAW Desktop machine.
Lesson learned:
If you follow the technote (both-octave buttons down on startup), be sure to have another computer around you can use if you need to bring the Microbrute back to life again.
