Subject:ACID - Really SLow Load times when auditioning loops - EXASPERATED!!!

Posted by: dabba112

Date:11/8/2002 10:57:05 AM

Hi y'all

I posted here a while ago. I'm still having the same troubles with my ACID 3.0 copy.
Basically, it takes an age (about four seconds) for ACID to load up a loop and start to play it in sync with my track when its playing. sounds short but when you're auditioning loops trying to find the right one its got to be quicker. Also, my old copy of ACID it was almost instantaneous (less than a second)!! now that's progress.

Actually it means I'm not really using acid much anymore until i solve this. Can anyone help??? Im at exasperation level!!!!

btw i havce a Pentium PC 4 2.0GHz with 500MB ram and windows XP and i have two soundcards installed, a GINA and an SB Live. Please HELP!!!

also, someone suggested before that this might have to do with partitions (FAT32 or NTFS type and that i should convert all mine to NTFS for better file access). i've still gotta figure out how to do this - but i suspect it mightn't work because i had the same problem with my copy of ACID 3.0 when it was loaded on my old PC which was windows98SE. I hope some of this makes sense to somebody!.

thanks
D

Subject:RE: ACID - Really SLow Load times when auditioning loops - EXASPERATED!!!

Reply by: dabba112

Date:11/10/2002 7:13:43 AM

Any takers for this one!! Until I sort this out I can't use the program so its p***ng me off big time

D

Subject:RE: ACID - Really SLow Load times when auditioning loops - EXASPERATED!!!

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:11/10/2002 9:40:48 AM

Did you already select either the GINA or Live! specifically under Options>Preferences on the menu bar and then the Audio tab? Be sure to use the absolute latest drivers from both Echo and Creative.

Try checking out MusicXP.net to see if any of the tips there help you any.

Try reducing or turning off video acceleration. Your video card may be hogging system resources away from your soundcards.

NTFS is more robust than FAT32, so use it anyway.

HTH,
Iacobus

Subject:RE: ACID - Really SLow Load times when auditioning loops - EXASPERATED!!!

Reply by: salad

Date:11/10/2002 10:08:48 AM

D,
Sorry to hear about this unique prob. I would never be able to tolerate such long load times for loop previewing.
It might be time to consider getting Medieval.

When I have BAD stuff happening, and can't figure it out, I go for the "3 R's". Repartition/Reformat/Reinstall of OS & apps. Once up & running: Ghost/Image the OS & Program partitions. I also like to use "GoBack"(Roxio) for running dangerous install tests of new hardware/drivers/software. I don't use system restore.
PULL all the PCI cards and unplug everything that's plugged into serial/parallel/USB ports. Use the XP cd to delete partitions/create new partitions/format NTFS(not the quick format), then install XP. Don't install any AntiVirus stuff yet or set up any Networking. Keep any PORTS you're not going to use (printer/serial/etc.)disabled in the BIOS.
Consider looking for BIOS updates/flash & tweak. Install SP-1. Also update AGP card and chipset drivers. Try not to install any drivers off of any CD that came with your hardware. Use the latest drivers you've DL'd and let XP do the rest.
Tweak XP for performance. Use XP's Administrative Tools to set up any additional HD's and partitions. DL/install any additional updates from the Windows Update site.
Defrag OS partition. Install ONLY the GINA card using the latest drivers. Install AP4. Wait till 4.0B is available. Should be any....month now.
Delete any .SFK files, and MOVE loops from HD to HD until loops play normally. Don't use your own loop creatons for tests.
If prob persists..(this is where Goback comes in handy)..Goback to point before GINA install after pulling the GINA card out, and run install of ONLY SB Live(using the latest 25 MB? update), install only the drivers and maybe the mixer.
Other things to try: Reduce hardware acceleration, try diff. PCI slot, run RAM testing utility....or if you have multiple sticks of RAM, pull out all but one.

Does this sound extreme?
Welcome to the club!

Good luck!
__________________________________
Update: Thanks Iacobus! Yes, check out that site for tips. Try mD's tips first. Also just try disabling one sound card at a time in Device Manager, as well as any onboard sound.

Subject:RE: ACID - Really SLow Load times when auditioning loops - EXASPERATED!!!

Reply by: dabba112

Date:11/12/2002 4:31:12 AM

guys

what can i say. thanks for all the help.

btw, what kind of load times are you guys experiencing when you're auditioning loops with ACID. 1 second? 2 seconds????

its just a pity i wish the solution were more simple!!! salad, your solutions sound quite drastic but its probably the only way to go i guess :(((.

I have Partition Magic software so the first thing i'm gonna try is converting the partition with all the loops on to an NTFS partition. then i'll have to go thru your suggestions one by one :((

thanks again

D

Subject:RE: ACID - Really SLow Load times when auditioning loops - EXASPERATED!!!

Reply by: zendar

Date:11/12/2002 8:04:33 AM

lol @ salad - thats a great rundown of what i'm sure all of us here do regularly - respect for having the inclination to type it all out!

Subject:RE: ACID - Really SLow Load times when auditioning loops - EXASPERATED!!!

Reply by: salad

Date:11/12/2002 8:47:24 AM

Yeah, I guess I was in the mood to type (lol). The sucky part is....it may not even help. Dabba112 sounded desperate, tech support told him it was prob'ly a hardware issue......what else can ya do?

Dabba112,
The loops should start playing about 1 sec after clicking on it, and this is consistant.

If you Select All(Ctrl+A)in a loops folder with auto preview on, the files should play one after the other with no pauses in between.

Hope ya get it fixed!

Subject:RE: ACID - Really SLow Load times when auditioning loops - EXASPERATED!!!

Reply by: Iacobus

Date:11/12/2002 1:12:37 PM

I can preview after about one second, using either my M-Audio Audiophile 2496 or my M-Audio USB Duo.

salad made a great point in suggesting formatting. Sometimes, it's the only thing that can help.

Iacobus

Subject:RE: ACID - Really SLow Load times when auditioning loops - EXASPERATED!!!

Reply by: dabba112

Date:11/13/2002 3:40:29 AM

Thanks everyone. I'll check all of that out as soon as i get the chance. I'm pretty sure if i go thru it methodically i'll get it.

Thankk GOD for user forums!! :)

Cheers
D