Hi.

I have an emachines AMD 64 3200+ system running XP Pro (SP2) and 3GB DDR PC3200 ram in dual channel 128-bit mode. In trying to do multi-track audio, I have had intermittent audio problems for years with this system on the most basic audio applications. I have tried multiple audio interfaces including EMU 0404 (PCI), Tascam US-122 (USB) and Mackie Firecard (1384). All of these cards as well as the onboard audio have yielded the same results...an intermittent popping or skipping in all varieties of audio playback...including MP3 and WAV from any application (iTunes, WMP, and Real) and any hard drive, flash player and other web audio, even MIDI GM sounds from the on-board audio...which I don't believe even involves the reading of files. It all sounds the same to my ear. It's like gaps in the audio. The machine performs like a champ in all other areas. My next step is to get a new computer...but I would like this one to work if possible.

Here's a list of efforts I've exhausted over the years.

* Updated all software and drivers
* Tried multiple audio cards in different locations (Ports)
* Tried all audio tweaks I can find online. (processor scheduling, memory usage, page files, DMA settings, ect.)
* Checked for IRQ conflicts
* Reduced my system to an ugly "high performance" machine with no visuals
* De-fragged and cleaned-up hard drives
* Changed buffer settings
* Added RAM (3GB, DDR 400, Dual mode 128-bit) and checked using memory utility
* Disabled internet and Norton
* Cleaned up startup menu and processes as best I could
* Done extensive virus and spyware removal (eight programs including, Norton, Spython, Xsoft, Hijackthis, AVG, Killbox, Spybot

None of these things have had any effect on it. Still the problem persists...and does that annoying thing where it goes away for a time, maybe an hour...making me think I've fixed it, and then returns unaccompanied by changes in the system! One thing I've noticed is that sometimes when I open my music program (Cubase), which has a processor usage meter it calls "ASIO Time Usage", it shows a bizarre and random spiking of processor usage that seems to be too fast to show a "climb" or "rise". Just really fast random processor max-out spikes. The performance meters in Task Manager and System Mechanic don't see it. This happens while Cubase isn't doing anything (before a file has been opened). Could I be having motherboard issues?

One avenue I haven't perused much is the settings in the bios. There are many confusing and mysterious settings which I know nothing about. I have always just returned to the "load optimized defaults". If anybody can help with this crazy mess, I'll personally mail you a martini.

Thanks for reading all of this.
B

Hi bbenge,
Welcome to PCHF .
We have a staff of techs who have a wide variety of skills and will be able to help you with your problem, that this is not my area of expertise,a staff tech will get a reply to you as soon as they can.

Thank you

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