Glitches on my Dell (Not XX related)

[Chris V]

OK Peter, I just needed a bit of direction.
I'm on the case tomorrow

Off to bed now - well pleased with Engine #3

I'm currently having a big row with Dell .

They uploaded the updated drivers for the soundcard, but no better, and now they tell me the soundcard in my new Inspiron 6400 PC is not specified to cover the sampling frequencies I want (up to 192Khz). Apparently it only works over the range 40Hz to 15Khz!!!!

I have asked how it is then that it can play a CD at 44.1Khz. The Chap in India didn't know.

Once I mentioned that I am using an external sound card they were only too quick to blame that, so they can dismiss my problems.

I have now asked to speak to someone who can understand my problem and can sort it out. Nobody has yet suggested upgrading the motherboard drivers.

[BertD]

They uploaded the updated drivers for the soundcard, but no better, and now they tell me the soundcard in my new Inspiron 6400 PC is not specified to cover the sampling frequencies I want (up to 192Khz). Apparently it only works over the range 40Hz to 15Khz!!!!

Hi Chris,

Your soundcard has nothing to do with your problem and if it does interfere somehow and you do not need it for something else then why do not uninstall the drivers for it or just turn it off?

You'll need properly working chipset drivers for the mobo itself, not for the soundcard...

Bert

[Chris V]

OK for any other readers that might be having glitches or drop-outs using Vista OS here are some suggested cures from trawling the Web and talking to others. I have tried them all and none work for me.

1. Disable wired and wireless connections

2. Disable the enhancement in the Control panel-> Sound-> Speaker Properties->Enhancements->Disable all Enhancements.

3. In Media Player, click the down arrow under Now Playing and go to Enhancements. Click on Crossfading and Auto Volume Leveling. At the bottom of the Media Player, you should see that Crossfading and Auto Volume Leveling adjustments are showing. Make sure that Crossfading is off and Auto Volume Leveling is off.

4. In windows Media Player, hit ALT and go to TOOLS and the OPTIONS. Go to the Performance tab and under Network Buffering choose Buffer and change it to 1 second of content.

5. Set power management to High Performance.

6. Disable internal sound card completely.

I'm yet to update drivers on the motherboard (waiting for Dell to help do this)

Good luck.

Incidentally Daniel Fuchs at RME in Germany is continuing to be very helpful in resolving this issue . Dell unfortunately are just too keen to point the finger at other peoples software/hardware. 

[BertD]

OK for any other readers that might be having glitches or drop-outs using Vista OS here are some suggested cures from trawling the Web and talking to others. I have tried them all and none work for me.

Hi Chris,

I am not sure if it is Vista doing this...I have had glitches too before updating chipset drivers on both Vista and XP (dual boot on the same PC). I did change other things too so I am not sure what cured it...

Perhaps it helps to set the priority to background services...

Its a bit deep down but try to locate it starting in the configuration panel, double click on system, double click on Advanced Settings, double click on Performance, double click on advanced and then select Background Services.

All is translated from Dutch though and each next option described above is found when the new window is open...

If you can't find it then I will make a screen dump of the open menu's and post these here..

Bert

[Chris V]

Thanks for moving this Peter, I was becoming more self conscious it was in the wrong place

Dell rang back, and between us we:
1. Installed latest system software
2. Installed latest BIOS settings
3. Installed latest chipset software (at last)

Bottom line is - no improvements in glitches

Still a few things to try

[PeterSt]

Okay (not yet ) ... try to read this carefully, and keep it in mind forever :

One of the objectives I had at creating XXHighEnd, is thet we (you) should not have to deal with stupid OS settings, shutting down services, changing priorities outside of XX, and all the stuff you actually want to know about. And-they-do-not-disturb.

I told more often, that my XP Audio machine has many interfaces connected to it (like controlling the heating and that kind of stuff), and it's even a webserver, continuesly connected to the internet, people probably browsing pages on it. Right.
Besides that, the PC is just used during playing audio for this typing, or browsing the internet myself. I don't care. Because the player doesn't care.

With Vista and #3 it's even more explicit, because there is no way I can tear the audio down by, say, 10 tasks at the same time of bulk copying files, ripping CDs or DVDs, name it. It just can't be influenced. Well, not that I could prove. Not for glitches, and not for quality.

But coincidentally, here's Bert's experience ...
He indeed had this (seemingly) same problem, and *he* had to be careful even not to drag tracks onto XX, because there would be a glitch. So this is what you have to keep in mind : In the case of Bert, priority settings would help, and not touching the PC would help, hence shutting down services and other stupid stuff theoretically would help. BUT IT IS NOT THE SOLUTION !
And the most dangerous part of it is, that I could show you the skipping (glitching) of 1 out od 10 samples, and you wouldn't even hear that. Not at first sight ...

So what most probably happens in your system, is apart from the major glitches (which would be about several hundreds of samples being skipped (do the math ... there should 44,100 per second)), there very well can be the skipping of a small amount of samples you don't hear, but which surely *does* influence the overall sound.

In the end what I say is : just do NOT try to fix this by shutting down interrupting things. You won't hear the small interrupts which maybe are still there, and it just degrades the playback !!
So finding the real cause is the only solution.

[Chris V]

Peter

As they say in all the best cliches:

"A good point and very well presented"

I suppose its about a cure rather than a sticking plaster.

Thanks for the reminder.

Cheers Chris

[PeterSt]

Then ...

When all your drivers are current, there's a fair change you can solve things by means of the PCI Latency tool. The link in there guides you to the product itself.

Additionally you might want to read this : http://www.theatertek.com/forums/showthread.php?p=58821

What I say in the first referred to post, may be the most convenient for you.

[Chris V]

the PCI Latency tool. The link in there guides you to the product itself.

Hi Peter
Do you know if this software operates on Vista. I dowloaded it to my desktop PC running XP professional as a test case.
It does the diagnostics and changes very simply - interesting to see how much PCI time the video bits steal, making the audio a poor relation.

But an initial trial on my Vista PC gave difficulties "failed to initialise configuration space access" hence my question.

I have a sneaking feeling this could be the solution to my problems

Cheers Chris

[PeterSt]

No Chris, I'm sorry, I don't know.

Google ?
Other similar tools ?

[Chris V]

While the search for Vista PCI latency software goes on, I have tried Bert's "background services" recommendation and will give it a listen later tonight.

Two people, who's views I respect have suggested using an ExpressCard firewire card in place of the standard firewire in the laptop. Funnily, I remember you writing a little while ago that using a firewire card helped the sound.

I am awaiting an explanation from each of them as to why this may eradicate glitches. Till then, does anyone have an opinion on whether this might correct the fault?

[BertD]

I am awaiting an explanation from each of them as to why this may eradicate glitches. Till then, does anyone have an opinion on whether this might correct the fault?

Hi Chris,

I had used a firewire card at first, with hickups....later with the updates the hicks dissapeared. Later I changed the MB (it died) for a similar one without hickups but using the lastest drivers. After another change for a new MB (now with Firewire on board) and still no hickups but added a separate Firewire card (800) for using it with my Firewire 800 backup discs still no hicups but somehow the sound was better...?

The old Dell laptop had a firewire on board, never had a problem with it...

How's the background service doing?

Bert

[Chris V]

How's the background service doing?

Sorry to report that if anything this has made the glitches worse

Here is what I have been told so far about the Expresscard

Onboard controllers (for anything) are usually second-class citizens to whatever is in the ExpressCard slot (or PCMCIA on an old-fashioned laptop). Also I think the ExpressCard slot is bus master by default.

This means little to me but might be a cure (said he, clutching at the last few straws remaining)

[PeterSt]

Not that I yet know what to do with it, but if you play the internal speakers ... is that glitch free ?

[Chris V]

Not that I yet know what to do with it, but if you play the internal speakers ... is that glitch free ?

Yes the internal speakers are glitch free.
The Fireface 400 with engine 1 and 2 are glitch free using my old XP Toshiba with built in firewire.

All problems started with the new Dell and Vista

Today, I go back to basics and will reload the firmware and software for the Fireface and also all updated drivers and Bios and software for the Dell. Although all are showing the right version, I have had corrupted versions before.

Bert
I am about to have a blow up with Dell, they are blaming 'foreign' software and (for them) unrecognised external sound cards. This is obviously the easy option for them, and a good get out clause.

I will claim the PC they sold me is not fit for the purpose. It would be extremely useful if I could demonstrate that other Dell laptops they have sold are working glitch free with this combination and with the Vista OS.

When you have a moment could you e mail me, or post here, the model number etc of your Vista Dell laptop.

Thanks a bunch

Chris