RATZA FRATZIN 'PUTER....

[filkertom]

I don't know if it's the minimal software I've added on, or the XP SP3 which certainly seemed to work before the damn CPU/mobo went belly-up or if I've got the wrong connections on the drives or if USB 2.0 isn't as fast for me or what, but ever since I had to do that full re-install last month, I've had nearly constant system stuttering. As in, every few seconds, the thing will just stop for a moment. Or audio or video will stall.

Doesn't matter what program, doesn't matter how big or small.

Something seems to be constantly polling the drives, but I can't narrow it down.

Needless to say, this is an extreme ass-pain for playing games or listening to music. But when you're trying to create music, it's a deal-breaker.

I ended up getting a new sound card, because the new mobo's onboard sound is crap and Creative's alleged driver update system doesn't effing work and the system keeps saying my X-Fi Xtreme Gamer "cannot start (code 10)". This is, apparently, a fairly common problem, which I'd never heard of because the damn thing worked fine on my previous install.

The biggest difference is that the last computer was an Intel Core 2 Duo, and this is an AMD Phenom II X2 555 (Black Edition). I've never had problems with AMD before, and if I had the money I would go over to Micro Center and get an Intel CPU/mobo and an OEM copy of Windows 7 and just say fuggit.

I have tried real-time monitors. I have tried overclocking. I have tried BIOS settings. I have tried AMD-specific dual-core optimizers. I have tried Raoul Mitgong, but he didn't help much. I have tried defragging, process hunting, service shutdowns, virtual memory rearrangement, and swapping the slots of actual memory chips.

At some point in the next three weeks, I'm likely to redo the whole damn thing again. Not looking forward to it, but there it is. Any other suggestions? Suggesting switching to Mac or Linux will be met with wads of wet toilet paper.

Comments

[invader-tak-1.livejournal.com]

Must not comment, must not comment, must not comment.......

[tarkrai.livejournal.com]

Since I am also allergic to wet toilet paper, I also shall refrain from comment.

OTOH, I can offer all the sympathy in the world. Tom, the problems you're seeing could happen on *any* platform- Mac, Linux, or Windows. Since I'm nowhere near an expert at your particular problem- I just wish you a lot of (inexpen$ive) luck.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Appreciate it, ace. And it was so great to see you and Katy at OVFF! Way too long.

[filkertom.livejournal.com]

Oh, it's fine, dearheart. [hugs] I just have way too much both financially and emotionally invested in certain programs, and the more time I spend learning new stuff is less time doing new stuff.

[wildcard9.livejournal.com]

I know that feeling, Tom. On my Linux box, I have Wine installed so I can continue to run mirc and Forte Agent since those two are must-have apps for me. I found a winamp-clone for Linux so I have a mostly-familar music player as well (not quite winamp, but seams to be close enough for what I need to do there).