[EDIT] My New Intel Q6600 is killing me.... HELP

mikemc · Post by **mikemc** » Fri Oct 17, 2008 8:34 pm

Yes, try with the built in sound card and MME drivers to start with, just to play some audio clips to see how that goes.

If that works, download and install ASIO4ALL. Be sure to pay attention to the descriptions to select which one you download to install, I *think* i remember some SP3 specific stuff (but it mightve been Vista specific stuff) for one of the versions.

Once you've set up ASIO4ALL try that with your internal sound card.

Then, try ASIO4ALL with your Alesis. You may need to adjust buffers, etc.

Then try setting your ASIO Live prefs to the Alesis drivers, using the same buffer settings that you got to with ASIO4ALL (you still may need to adjust, but as a starting point).

This way you eliminate one set of variables at a time.

Kodama · Post by **Kodama** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:59 am

Hrmm could be a driver or firmware issue for the alesis or the firewire chip, or a non recommended fw chip.

Or just a bad alesis unit?

adventurepants_ · Post by **adventurepants_** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 4:00 am

some firewire audio combinations are very problematic on PC. Ive been through a few that started with lots of pops/crackles and freezing, but the good news is that most problems can be solved.

- Check the manufacturer of the firewire chip on your card/motherboard. Non Texas Instruments chipsets can give you troubles.

- Go to Device Manager and disable these devices. If you do them one at a time, then check if audio is improved, it will show which one is causing the conflict. Wireless Card, Network Card,Onboard soundcard (should be able to do that in Bios), Modems,DVD Drives...

- Sometimes firewire channels share resources with something else. Go to device manager, right click-properties-resources, and see if anything has the same IRQ. Ive fixed a PC where the grahics card shared the same IRQ as the firewire controller, and i had to disable graphics acceleration in the display control panel to get it stable.

-Use DPC checker during this process to see if it improves after each action.

gjm · Post by **gjm** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 5:57 am

adventurepants_ wrote:some firewire audio combinations are very problematic on PC. Ive been through a few that started with lots of pops/crackles and freezing, but the good news is that most problems can be solved.

I am clinging to some hope...

- Check the manufacturer of the firewire chip on your card/motherboard. Non Texas Instruments chipsets can give you troubles.

I am pretty sure it is a non TI chip. My lap top mentions the words 'Texas Instruments' but this rig does not. Can I do anything about that other than getting another Mobo?

- Go to Device Manager and disable these devices. If you do them one at a time, then check if audio is improved, it will show which one is causing the conflict. Wireless Card, Network Card,Onboard soundcard (should be able to do that in Bios), Modems,DVD Drives...

I have done this while watching the DPC tool. It basically moves between 30-70 regardless of what I turn off or on. Certainly nothing below 20.

- Sometimes firewire channels share resources with something else. Go to device manager, right click-properties-resources, and see if anything has the same IRQ. Ive fixed a PC where the grahics card shared the same IRQ as the firewire controller, and i had to disable graphics acceleration in the display control panel to get it stable.

^^ What does this tell you? Can I do something about this?

ava · Post by **ava** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 6:33 am

Is your firewire an add on card or part of the main motherboard?

if it's an add on card then move it to another slot(remove the case cover and undo the screw etc)

gjm · Post by **gjm** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 7:22 am

ava wrote:Is your firewire an add on card or part of the main motherboard?

if it's an add on card then move it to another slot(remove the case cover and undo the screw etc)

Yes it is. #15 in above schematic.

BUT I disabled the IEEE 1394 Host Controller in the Device Manager and the Latency reading on DPC instantly dropped to under 10, as low a 7, basicly hovers between 7 and 14.

Apart from a low latency reading in DPC, what could I conclude from this?

erikstauber · Post by **erikstauber** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 7:23 am

You've probably already narrowed down your problem by using the DPC latency tool. Heaps of yellow and red indicate something on the system is preventing the system from responding quickly enough.

Stay focused on DPC latency... work on getting it in order. Start doing things like disabling ethernet drivers.... wireless adapters... everything (even the soundcard) until you can find the culprit. I've been through this before, and eventually concluded it was my motherboard, which I fixed by going to an older rev BIOS! Hopefully you won't have that much trouble.

The advice about the TI firewire chip is good. My friend had an Asus p35 motherboard and had the identical problems you are having with a M-audio Lightbridge. Fixed it with a pci firewire card (with TI chip)

Your Q6600 should be a monster.

ava · Post by **ava** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 7:39 am

gjm wrote:
ava wrote:Is your firewire an add on card or part of the main motherboard?

if it's an add on card then move it to another slot(remove the case cover and undo the screw etc)
I will have to check.

BUT I disabled the IEEE 1394 Host Controller in the Device Manager and the Latency reading on DPC instantly dropped to under 10, as low a 7, basicly hovers between 7 and 14.

Apart from a low latency reading in DPC, what could I conclude from this?

You seem to have fonud the problem and that is your firewire( IEEE 1394 Host Controller) is sharing the same IRQ, if it's part of the main motherboard then disable it(best to disable it in your BIOS) and get a firewire add on card).. or if it's a add on card then move it to another slot.

if your firewire socket is near your usb sockets it's part of the motherboard, if it's on a separate plate then it's an add on card so move it.

gjm · Post by **gjm** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:26 am

ava wrote:You seem to have fonud the problem and that is your firewire( IEEE 1394 Host Controller) is sharing the same IRQ, if it's part of the main motherboard then disable it(best to disable it in your BIOS) and get a firewire add on card).. or if it's a add on card then move it to another slot.

if your firewire socket is near your usb sockets it's part of the motherboard, if it's on a separate plate then it's an add on card so move it.

You are being very helpful, and I am very grateful.

Looking at the Motherboard Overview Schematic in the Asus P5Q Pro user guide, shows me the IEEE 1394 sockets ARE right next to the USB sockets. They are on the mother board.

erikstauber wrote:The advice about the TI firewire chip is good. My friend had an Asus p35 motherboard and had the identical problems you are having with a M-audio Lightbridge. Fixed it with a pci firewire card (with TI chip)

I am fumbling my way through this. But am I right to think from erik's comment, that I can disable the 'on board' 1934a and add an aftermarket 1934a PCI card (making sure it is a TI one) and I will not have to change the Mobo?

ava · Post by **ava** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:34 am

yes, that is correct, buy a firewire add on card and you should be sorted!
I would imagine any brand of card should do the trick.

The point is your built in firewire is sharing it's IRQ with other device(s).

Just remember to disable your existing card using your bios settings (keep pressing delete during boot-up) or it could be another key, check your manual)

It may be possible to change the firewires IRQ some how but i dont know how as I havent needed to play with IRQ's since windows 95!

May be otheres can give some advice?

ava · Post by **ava** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 9:43 am

check and follow these instructions, it may help.

http://www.helpwithpcs.com/upgrading/ch ... ttings.htm

Arnold-Rimmer · Post by **Arnold-Rimmer** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:01 am

gjm wrote:Brand new machine. I didn't skimp on anything.

Live 6 LE.

I tried to record 1 audio track and got Glitches galore

Even on play back with my new Alesis iO/14 and very high buffers, still glitches.

DPC latency tool shows heaps of yellow and red spikes.

So what can it be now? What am I doing wrong? I am pretty sure its not the gear any more.

Sorry to maybe confuse the issue, but there could be something wrong with the RAM. I had a similar problem a few years ago with a desktop PC that was built for music. In my case it turned out to be a faulty RAM module.

Good luck.

gjm · Post by **gjm** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 10:38 am

Arnold-Rimmer wrote:Sorry to maybe confuse the issue, but there could be something wrong with the RAM. I had a similar problem a few years ago with a desktop PC that was built for music. In my case it turned out to be a faulty RAM module.

Good luck.

I did notice that the 'Vitesta Extreme Edition' Ram I was supplied is not listed in the Qualified Vendors List in the Mobo's User Guide.

The System Properties does see the 2GB which was installed.

Not sure how to double check this. Thanks for the tip.

gjm · Post by **gjm** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 11:05 am

OK, this is quite the education.

Following is a page from the User guide listing Interrupt Assignments and my full IRQ list.

Is there enough information here to conclude that the two PCI slots available to me will not have an IRQ conflict with anything in my system.

I am not sure if I have even provided the right information.

As can be seen in the IRQ list, numbers 2,3,5,6,7,10,11,12,14 are not listed.
A PCI card would occupy one of these IRQ's??

ava · Post by **ava** » Sat Oct 18, 2008 12:24 pm

gjm wrote: A PCI card would occupy one of these IRQ's??

yes, i would image it would be 9,10, or 11. look at image 2.5.3 it's pci steering.

I would purchase a firewire card from a good shop, ask if it don't work can you bring it back? I would imagine they will.

Also, have you tried contacting the company that made your pc? they might help you.

[EDIT] My New Intel Q6600 is killing me.... HELP

Re: [EDIT] My New Intel Q6600 is killing me.... HELP

Re: [EDIT] My New Intel Q6600 is killing me.... HELP