Weird sound problem

[Christoph]

Hi there

Windows 2000: Having some problems suddenly while listening to music stored on the hard drive. Sudden peaks in CPU usage interrupt songs or slowing down the sound/music. I tried all players (WinAMP, RealOne, MediaPlayer). This happens as an example when I maximize Outlook or IE or any other software. The CPU goes up additional 5-25% and the music starts acting up. Even surfing the web with no sudden CPU usage slows down the music. Even the notification sound for new email sounds slow and argh.

I removed the Soundcard software and driver (SB 5.1) and re-installed it but it is still happening. I moved the mp3 files to the second hard drive - no difference. No new software installed except for Windows update files. I checked the IDE cabling - all is seated properly. I also updated the BIOS - no luck!

What else can I look at? What interferes with the hard drive that it makes the sound go slow?

Dell 4550 P4 2.8 GHZ
512 MB DDR Ram
120 GB 7200RPM
60 GB 7200RPM
Windows 2000

Any suggestions?

Christoph

[no_fat_chicks]

Try a different PCI slot for the sound card..

Also, do you have the HDD on its own IDE cable?

[Markoman01027]

Sounds like you have an IRQ conflict with some of the PCI devices. You will need to re-arrange your PCI cards, and update all of their drivers.

Hope that helps!

[Cricket]

Is DMA enabled on those hard drives?

Cricket

[Christoph]

The soundcard is the only 'external' PCI device - everything else is build-in onto the motherboard. I uninstalled the driver and software and then I switched the card into a different PCI slot and that seemed to have done the trick.



Thanks guys!!!!!!!



Christoph