Buffer problems with vista playback engine

[Phil Bradbury]

It appears that my version of Vista works with Pro Tools but has not been fully tested/approved by Digidesign. Major Music forwarded me the digidesign support page for Vista/PT. I have had it printed out but have not gone the full route in following each dissable and adjustment. As I am now in final mix and soon to be in master mode I will attempt to try everything they suggest. I am also considering purchasing version 8. I am not sure if they have made improvements that will help us but I want the additional tools/plugins so I may try it out. I keep a log on what I try and if I hit the magic combination I will post it. Thanks, Phil

[sonabalam]

when using ProTools LE 7.4 with my new Dell Studio desktop with windows xp sp2 I still get abrupt stops in my recording with error messages that suggest increasing my buffer size in the playback engine setup. I think that there must be something else running in my system that I havent disabled. Anyone have a blueprint for setting up this computer for protools. Thanks

[sonabalam]

when using ProTools LE 7.4 with my new Dell Studio desktop with windows xp sp2 I still get abrupt stops in my recording with error messages that suggest increasing my buffer size in the playback engine setup. I think that there must be something else running in my system that I havent disabled. Anyone have a blueprint for setting up this computer for protools. Thanks

[Phil Bradbury]

To all who are experiencing this problem with Vista/Dell/Protools: Here is a way to almost completely eliminate the buffer error stop. 1. Disable your WIFI (wireless system) in Control Panel. 2. Press the window key and R to open the run window type in msconfig and press enter (it will be there after the first time), Switch from Normal startup to selective startup by checking the circle. Now click off Load Startup Items, then select the Startup upper tab and check digidesign software listed there, then click Services tab and check hide all microsoft services, then check disable all, then uncheck the Hide all Microsoft services. then click OK and it will ask to restart, restart. When it comes back up you will be able to run your protools with little or no buffer error stops. You may get one in a while but this will allow you to work. If I find the rest of the solution I will post it. Good Luck. Phil "Litte Walter" Bradbury

[strato557]

I had this problem with XP, pretty frustrating. I opened up the task manager window (ctl, alt, del, keys simultaneously) and went to the processes tab and looked for applications or services that were using up large amounts of memory (anitvirus software, services, etc...). Since I don't use these services or need to be online during recording, I disabled them and was able to successfully record without any annoying error messages. I hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Phil Bradbury

when using ProTools LE 7.4 with my new Dell Studio laptop I have to disable some hardware and only use the Microsoft service tools and dissable everything else. I still get abrupt stops in my recording with error messages that suggest increasing my buffer size in the playback engine setup. After increasing the buffer size I get error messages suggesting that I reduce the size of my buffers in the playback engine. I think that there must be something else running in my system that I havent disabled. Anyone have a blueprint for setting up this computer for protools. Thanks

I would look at your computer first. a laptop is really not that hot. intel macs are better for audio and pro tools . i have it. if you really have the same problem and feel like totally removing pt then re installing it. check out the rewire it is a problem known. remove rewire in the file and the folder too as it will reproduce another if you do not get rid of the folder. i had that same problem increase buffer then a bing on the screen dead stop in the session.
check out your computer though i personally feel it is your computer. lap tops are not that good with pt. i guess you have vista too. ???? that is another problem with pt.:beerbangand watch so your recording levels are not to hot. that to clashes with the buffer when pushing a lot of plug ing on the tracks. another thing is you can put few heavy filled tracks with the big plug ins on no output while recording. Are you in low latency when recording?????that to will pop the buffer when pushing heavy sound thru it .
make sure you do not have to many eater like reverbs that are big. etc. just so you are not recording while all other tracks are loaded too heavy. pt gets touchy at times. but i really feel it is your computer. mac. i mac intel are the best for pt with PT>some disagree but more people have macs that i know and do not have the problems. i have an i mac intel based. but also had and still have a laptop dell XPS with vista which totally blows my i mac away as far as being more powerful to the max but it with my PT so now i have a three thousand dollar dell that sits here doing nothing at all. maybe i will use it for dj work with virtual dj program. i mac and pt is a match. check it out with digi design. i just really think it is your computer. wish you luck i know what you are going thru i have been there too.