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Subject:stuttering playback
Posted by: Jeff_Smith
Date:5/16/2005 7:57:03 AM

I downloaded the recent get media and loaded all 30 tracks to hear the loops. My computer stutters and locks up, cpu at 100%. However, with only a few tracks it works ok.

A while back my mobo fried (power outage) and was replaced and I never really got my system back to where it was. Occasionally I get weird crashes such as automatic reboots with no apps open. One error report led me to believe I might have a memory problem, while others suggest a driver conflict.

Is there a simple way to check memory other than microsofts crash analysis?
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp#top

thanks,

Jeff


P4 2.53 Ghz, win XP SP2 bld 2600, direct x9.0c, 2 GB ddr-sdram

Message last edited on5/16/2005 7:58:22 AM byJeff_Smith.
Subject:RE: stuttering playback
Reply by: Iacobus
Date:5/16/2005 10:14:42 AM

Was just the motherboard replaced?

If generic memory is being used, you're better off with brand-name memory. I had similar problems with memory errors awhile ago due to generic memory.

Get an uninterruptible power supply (or UPS) when you get the chance. I can't tell you how many times my UPS has saved by rootie-patootie due to power outages and sags.

Iacobus
-------
RodelWorks - Original Music for the Unafraid
Buy Instant ACID by JohnnyRoy and mD!
mD at ACIDplanet

Subject:RE: stuttering playback
Reply by: Jeff_Smith
Date:5/16/2005 6:23:54 PM

The motherboard was replaced, everything else is the same, same memory which are 2 matching 1 gig sticks, not sure what kind. I posted this jan. 2005
http://mediasoftware.sonypictures.com/forums/ShowMessage.asp?MessageID=347507

jeff

Subject:RE: stuttering playback
Reply by: JohnnyRoy
Date:5/17/2005 5:39:37 AM

Does your new motherboard use the VIA chipset. If so, that could be the root cause of your problems. There have been documented problems with VIA chipsets for doing audio and video work. The general recommendation is to just stay clear of them if building a DAW.

~jr

Subject:RE: stuttering playback
Reply by: Iacobus
Date:5/17/2005 9:18:15 AM

In addition to what JohnnyRoy mentioned, it could be that other components were affected as well as your old motherboard. Usually, in a case like yours, the power supply is the first casualty and could exhibit problems like the rebooting you're having.

Power supplies are cheap and easy enough (should you want to do this yourself) to replace. The RAM, as I mentioned in my previous post, is another issue.

Let us know if you make any progress.

Iacobus
-------
RodelWorks - Original Music for the Unafraid
Buy Instant ACID by JohnnyRoy and mD!
mD at ACIDplanet

Subject:RE: stuttering playback
Reply by: Jeff_Smith
Date:5/18/2005 7:02:09 AM

The chip set is Intel (D865 mobo), ddr-sdram memory in slots 1 an 3 (I think its Xerox?). My power supply was checked, but maybe its an intermintant thing.

Jeff

Subject:RE: stuttering playback
Reply by: JohnnyRoy
Date:5/18/2005 8:52:33 AM

Your PC sounds OK providing the power supply is adequate and working correctly. What brand of soundcard do you have? It is possible that the soundcard is not configured correctly or optimally. It could be your soundcard is having trouble playing 30 streams (since less works fine). Are you using ASIO drivers?

~jr

Message last edited on5/18/2005 8:54:27 AM byJohnnyRoy.
Subject:RE: stuttering playback
Reply by: Jeff_Smith
Date:5/18/2005 10:07:47 PM

I have an M-audio delta 1010 (don't use all the I/O, just got a good deal), using ASIO drivers v5.10.0048, buffer settings 8ms (384) samples, I tried resetting for 11ms (512) that didn't seem to help.

jeff

Subject:RE: stuttering playback
Reply by: JohnnyRoy
Date:5/19/2005 5:13:30 AM

The Delta 1010 is a great soundcard so that’s probably not the problem. Is it set for 16bit/44.1K or 16/48K or 24/48K? The loops are probably 16/44.1 so setting it to that will eliminate the conversion as a possible factor (but I don’t think this is it. I keep my M-Audio FW410 at 48/24 and 30 tracks play back smoothly).

The only other thing we haven’t checked is your hard drive which would need to stream 30 tracks of wave files simultaneously. This shouldn’t be a problem for most modern day 7200 rpm AT66+ hard drives. Has it been defragmented lately? I’m running out of ideas here.

~jr

Subject:RE: stuttering playback
Reply by: Jeff_Smith
Date:5/19/2005 6:59:12 AM

I had 24 bit/44.1, changing that to 16/44.1 and upping my 1010 buffer to 512 helps, however my CPU is running at 97-100%.

All loops are on internal non system drive with plenty of space recently defragged
I may just take it in to a shop and have the memory and power supply checked.

thanks for the input,

Jeff

Subject:RE: stuttering playback
Reply by: Iacobus
Date:5/19/2005 10:17:58 AM

The Delta 1010 is certainly a good card as JohnnyRoy mentioned.

Wow, the CPU shouldn't even be hitting that, especially with your setup. I usually top out at about 30% with my P4 3 GHz with 1 GB of RAM with that amount of tracks. Are you sure there's nothing else running in the background?

Iacobus
-------
RodelWorks - Original Music for the Unafraid
Buy Instant ACID by JohnnyRoy and mD!
mD at ACIDplanet

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