Regardless of the software audio player I use (i.e., WinAmp, WMP, Real Player), sound stops for about 3 seconds before resuming. This usually happens after about 9 mins. of continuous playback and repeats intermittently. It doesn't matter whether playback is from an audio CD, audio file on harddrive, or internet streams. I'm running Win XP Home Edition, P4 1.8 GHz M, Conexant AC-Link 2 audio, 512 Mb ram. I've already tried reducing audio conversion rate in audio properties; reinstalling latest driver from GateWay website; reinstallaing motherboard chipset driver; reseating ram as advised by GateWay tech support. The problem continues. Please help!
You problem is out of my league but since you have not got help in a week I will put in my 2 cents for what ever that is worth. You say the problem is intermittant? That was not crystal clear in your query. I am guessing you may be maxing out your system. Some process is intermittantly stealing enough resorces to make a difference. I have heard complaints about an instant messanger interupting sound on a P3 but they had more memory than you have. You might want to try to link your problem to a compeating process. Memory is cheap you might try adding a g or at least a half g of RAM. Sometimes throwing $25-$50 at a problem is better than figuring it out. You might want to buy the RAM from a place that will let you return it.
Definitely something is coming in and momentarily interrupting sound playback. Strange thing though, playback goes uninterrupted when I lower the volume level from the taskbar to less than half of max. <i'm scratching my head> When I set the level to max, the problem resumes. Do you think still think that it could be a RAM problem? I have 512MB but 8MB are being used for video. Also, I only have the essentials running in the background, namely, 2 printer monitors, AVG, Windows Defender, and Free Internet Eraser.
Have you tried the audio tests on the sound tab of the Dxdiag tool? Also, try lowering the acceleration level for hardware sound - Does it make any difference?
Playing audio does take resources and .5 g is not much RAM especially when you can get to G for 50 USD. That is the cheapest up grand you can do.
dave, I just tried the dxdiag tests & they all worked successfully. Lowering the hardware acceleration didn't make a difference in either the dxdiag tests nor in regular audio playback. The only thing that seems to make a difference is lowering the volume level from the taskbar to less than half of the max. Mez, Thanks for all so far. I'm inclined to follow your suggestion of upgrading RAM but my audio was working without this problem about 6 months ago. That's to say that the audio problem began about 6 months ago.
Just might be but I want to exhaust all other avenues before plunking down a pretty penny on a replacement.
Well something has changed. Even if you haven't added any software your computer may be showing its age. I know your computer is old because you bought it with only .5 G of RAM. They haven't sold them in years. Your computer is probably very marginal in todays standards. Things eventually get snarled. You can try cleaning up your hard disk: empy your trash can, delete all the temp files, clean out all your cookies, compress your C: drive then defrag. If you do't have enough memory to defrag then that is your problem. I am guessing your computer has been running on marginal power since you bought it. Over the years your margin has eroded. Now you have no margin. Most hardawre solutions are expensive compared to RAM. I would get 2 G. That will extend the useful life of your computer. It will not fix the problem but will hopefully make it go away. If $50 is too much money you might concider formatting your hard disk and reinstalling everything if the disk clean up does not help. Maybe you have spy ware or some other unwanted app running on your computer. You can also look to the bottom right of your screen. If you can close some of the apps does that help? None of your software 'cares' that your computer is marginal. I just upgraded my computer because the internet was getting too slow. Everything you run expects you to have unlimited computing power. I have had to find a new vendor because the old one wanted to add new internet apps to properly display the annoying adds. I could buy without installing the apps so I stopped using them. Your sourcers of problems are nearly limitless. If you press Ctr+ALt+Del and go into the task manager you can view all the apps that are running and how much memory the are using. There is a lot of stuff running. One of theose could be your problem. Profession techs often to not try to figure out what the problem is because it will cost too much money. They try do make the computer useful cheaply. Cleaning up you disk, adding RAM then re-installing the OS if those do not work are how they would approch your problem.
