Stuttering audio...

[Paddy]

I have recently reinstalled Windows XP Pro after getting some new hardware. I have noticed that my mp3 playback is stuttering during times of high processor activity.

I have just installed the Creative Driver Pack for my Live! 5.1 Player. Driver LiveDrvPack.exe, version 1.0.0.1, dated 17/07/2002.

Other hardware in the box:
Dual XP1800+, 512MB reg DDR, A7M266-D, AIW 8500DV, Intel Pro/100+ ethernet, a Tekram SCSI adaptor and a 120GB Seagate 'cuda V.

I have done a fresh install, applied SP1 and the other updates including DX9. I have the latest drivers for my AIW, dated Jan 03.

And that's about it. I have not really done much else...

Any suggestions???

I have not installed any games so i dont know how the AIW is setup yet.

I am an SMP noob

[Guru]

Is dma enabled? Also check for IRQ sharing ?

[Paddy]

DMA is enabled.

erm, does IRQ sharing matter when using ACPI in XP?

[Paddy]

Oh, and I am using my Adaptec 2100S not the Tekram

IRQ 0 System timer OK
IRQ 1 Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard OK
IRQ 3 Built-in Infrared Device OK
IRQ 4 Communications Port (COM1) OK
IRQ 6 Standard floppy disk controller OK
IRQ 8 System CMOS/real time clock OK
IRQ 9 Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System OK
IRQ 12 PS/2 Compatible Mouse OK
IRQ 13 Numeric data processor OK
IRQ 14 Primary IDE Channel OK
IRQ 15 Secondary IDE Channel OK
IRQ 16 ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500DV OK
IRQ 16 OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller OK
IRQ 17 Intel(R) PRO/100+ Management Adapter OK
IRQ 18 Creative SB Live! series OK
IRQ 20 NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller OK
IRQ 21 NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller OK
IRQ 21 Adaptec 2000S Ultra160 SCSI RAID Controller OK
IRQ 22 NEC PCI to USB Enhanced Host Controller (B1) OK

[Paddy]

Under conflicts/Sharing in the windows info util i have this:

I/O Port 0x0000A000-0x0000AFFF PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
I/O Port 0x0000A000-0x0000AFFF Intel(R) PRO/100+ Management Adapter

I/O Port 0x00000000-0x00000CF7 PCI bus
I/O Port 0x00000000-0x00000CF7 Direct memory access controller

I/O Port 0x000003C0-0x000003DF AMD-762 Processor to AGP Controller
I/O Port 0x000003C0-0x000003DF ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500DV

IRQ 21 NEC PCI to USB Open Host Controller
IRQ 21 Adaptec 2000S Ultra160 SCSI RAID Controller

Memory Address 0xAA000000-0xABDFFFFF AMD-762 Processor to AGP Controller
Memory Address 0xAA000000-0xABDFFFFF PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
Memory Address 0xAA000000-0xABDFFFFF OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller

Memory Address 0xAFE00000-0xBF7FFFFF AMD-762 Processor to AGP Controller
Memory Address 0xAFE00000-0xBF7FFFFF PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge

IRQ 16 ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500DV
IRQ 16 OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller

Memory Address 0xA0000-0xBFFFF PCI bus
Memory Address 0xA0000-0xBFFFF AMD-762 Processor to AGP Controller
Memory Address 0xA0000-0xBFFFF ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500DV

I/O Port 0x000003B0-0x000003BB AMD-762 Processor to AGP Controller
I/O Port 0x000003B0-0x000003BB ALL-IN-WONDER RADEON 8500DV

Memory Address 0xA6800000-0xA86FFFFF PCI standard PCI-to-PCI bridge
Memory Address 0xA6800000-0xA86FFFFF Intel(R) PRO/100+ Management Adapter


Looks ok to me???

[Ribbit]

Shared interrupts are not normally a problem with PCI.

Those shared I/O and memory addresses look really scary to me, but then I don't really know if it's a problem or not with PCI.

[Wombat]

I had those kinds of problems when I switched motherboards, but a clean format & install fixed it for me, but it seems you've already tried that.

Can you try pulling out a processor, just for fun? I wouldn't be surprised if Creative just had no idea how to run on an SMP box.

[Paddy]

Can you try pulling out a processor, just for fun? I wouldn't be surprised if Creative just had no idea how to run on an SMP box.

I dont think they know how to run on any box!

I have spent all day getting this thing in and running... does anyone know of a better driver? Perhaps that might help?

[Gurm]

Umm...

*ahem*

Ask FIRST, then you'll have the right answers.

For Live! series cards and SMP you have two and a half options.

1. Use the MS drivers, NOT the Creative drivers. This will provide fairly flawless performance, but sadly no advanced features. You can TRY the creative liveware apps, but the success rate... not so much.

2. Use the new UDA Creative drivers/apps. The drawback here is that there is limited success running these apps on a Live! - check the forums at 3D Sound Surge for more information.

... and the half option is to use the drivers you are using now, but to force them all to run on one chip or the other. This is a pain in the arse, doesn't always work, but if you PM me I'll ATTEMPT to find the link with detailed instructions on how to do it... since shs-sound is dead and gone it seems.

- Gurm

[Ribbit]

In the BIOS there should be an option called "Clear Configuration Data" or "Clear ESCD Data" or something like that. Try setting it and rebooting (no need to go back and turn it off, it's a one-shot option), and see if you get a few less conflicts.

[Paddy]

sigh, I see this is a big problem

I hope my AIW will be better behaved!

[Paddy]

Interesting reading at 2cpu.com

[KeiFront]

No more Creative for me

http://forums.murc.ws/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37858&highlight=creative

Just replace your Live or switch back to one processor and probably your problem will be solved.

[Paddy]

Thinking about it, my A7M266-D has a C-media chip on it.

[Paddy]

I have read that this Compaq driver has sorted out many problems... Its 377MB.... Looks like i'll give it a go tomorrow!

btw, how can i completley uninstall the Creative driver???