What the hell am I missing? Always computer issues

[Dougthehead]

I am sick and tired of running into constant issues with computer, hardware and software issues. I have a background of going back and forth between computer and hardware recording over the past ten years, and never really getting anything done. So, I decided once and for all I am going to stick with the computer because it's virtually infinitely expandable and because of this, a longer shelf life for use. Because I have never looked for any help (in more ways then one) I have been like an insane person never making music and always fixing and tweeking...MADDENING. I mean shit, enough is enough. I only promised my wife 5 years ago I would get her a copy of a song I wrote for her.

Now, I have a real need to just get my setup done and done right. My problems seem to be erratic behavior and conflicts with sound cards bla bla bla. I am sure 9 million people have asked the same stuff on here,but I need help so I can start learning my software once everything is stable and get on with it.

I have an HP Pavillion
xp svc pack 3
3 gig ram (actually 4 but only 3 shows?)
amd dual core 3800 1.8 ghz
e geforce 6200 vid card
a pci usb 2.0 card
krk rokit 8 monitors,sound friggin awesome.
line 6 ux1 guitar interface
axiom 49 controller
sonar 7 producer
fruity loops
reason 4
lexicon omega

And I dont have a crap load of plugins and or vsts loaded because I dont really understand how to make them work anyway. And I have a laptop so I have decided to dedicate the pc solely to making music....What the hell do I do now???? Stuff just never seems to work right and I have to start over everytime I set back down.

Please help, If your still reading my dissertation...Done

PS: I am just glad I stumbled upon this site today while I was surfing at work...I have great faith after reading some posts

[jagcmos]

If you could provide more detail on your problems that would help troubleshooting immensely.

If you are only showing 3 GB memory and you have 4 installed try swapping the cards into different slots. Memory problems can manifest into a slew of intermittent problems.

[Dougthehead]

Sweet, I was wondering about the ram not showing. I will give it a shot, Thanks

Problems are abundant
1) The on board sound card (even after disabling) causes conflicts with the omega, I have re-loaded the drivers many times to no avail. Is the Lexicon junk? or the PC? It does eventually work though
2) Lexicon is missing from my list in preferences in Reason and Sonar almost every time I re-boot and I have to go back and set it up all over again.
3)Midi settings are the same as sound card problems
4)Axiom does not show up as controller and after many attempts the driver needs to re-installed.
5) line 6 interface tries to put itself as the#1 audio interface
6) Monitors Sound awesome
7)loads of issues with the Axiom not working properly. I have don a factory reset and it just happens all over again, I have heard these controllers are problematic, but I wouldn't know, I never get to use it.
8)This whole mess has given me gas
9)The dr880 is a great drum machine
10)The Monitors sound awesome

I will quit here and move on to see if there are any thoughts and I dont mean. "Hey this dude is so inept I don't know how he is using the internet"

I will take any advice I am given as long as you have details to help me work them out, including burning my crap system and donating my rotting liver to science.

[jagcmos]

Originally Posted by Dougthehead

Sweet, I was wondering about the ram not showing. I will give it a shot, Thanks

If you find a bad memory card pull it from the system. One less variable in the equation.

What OS is installed ? Vista ?

Problems are abundant
1) The on board sound card (even after disabling) causes conflicts with the omega, I have re-loaded the drivers many times to no avail. Is the Lexicon junk? or the PC? It does eventually work though

Have you downloaded the latest drivers from the Lexicon website ?

To get detailed information on your devices:
Click start -> run
Enter msinfo32

For Interrupt assignments:
Click Hardware Resources -> IRQ's

For details on sound components:
Click Components -> Sound Devices

2) Lexicon is missing from my list in preferences in Reason and Sonar almost every time I re-boot and I have to go back and set it up all over again.

If possible, try the usb devices on another computer.
If you have front and back usb ports, try switching them to another location.
A internal pci usb card may reduce conflicts. They are dirt cheap.

3)Midi settings are the same as sound card problems
4)Axiom does not show up as controller and after many attempts the driver needs to re-installed.

Same thing - all your devices are usb.

5) line 6 interface tries to put itself as the#1 audio interface

Click start -> preferences -> sounds and audio devices
Click on the audio tab
You should be able to set your default sound cards and midi devices from here.


6) Monitors Sound awesome
7)loads of issues with the Axiom not working properly. I have don a factory reset and it just happens all over again, I have heard these controllers are problematic, but I wouldn't know, I never get to use it.
8)This whole mess has given me gas
9)The dr880 is a great drum machine
10)The Monitors sound awesome

I will quit here and move on to see if there are any thoughts and I dont mean. "Hey this dude is so inept I don't know how he is using the internet"

I will take any advice I am given as long as you have details to help me work them out, including burning my crap system and donating my rotting liver to science.

My comments are above.
I hope this information helps. Keep us posted.

[Stich]

The reason only 3GB of your 4GB of ram is not showing is due to a MS 32 bit OS limitation. Nothing to do whatsoever with your hardware, I can guarantee you this. This is a well known limitation. Google it.

Ask Dan: What's with the 3Gb memory barrier?

Your other issues sound like crappy OEM driver issues.
We all feel the pain. Audio hardware MFGs can't possibly test their offerings with all know possible combination's as the variables are infinite.
You should try to research what they tested with and build a similar system if you are looking for rock solid stability.

Stich

[Renegade Studios]

Whats going on....

First let me say your not alone we have all gone down this path thats why were all here...!

alright theres a few things you can do...
first optimize your pc for audio AudioForums.com | Windows XP Optimization Guide. (I hope Brandon doesnt kill me for always using this link... Cant find the Sweetwater link!!!)

Ive noticed with all my usb controllers in xp (I also have a vista/mbox2 workstation) that they are labeled USB Audio device 1, 2, 3 etc... theres a program called MidiOx that Ive used to check my midi devices (interesting app it will tell you a midi msg number for any key, good for mapping).

[Dougthehead]

All right, now were cookin with crisco. I was stewing over my issues while counting the ceiling tiles last night and actually wondered if it was related to drivers and how to optimize my OS to see if it would clear up some of the issues.
I just looked, and yup, it's confirmed I am a full fledged idiot, you can only have 3gb of ram like you were saying. Gee for a minute there I thought I was going to have something for nothing...well I guess it's time to roll up my sleeves and read the resources you guys gave me to figure it out.

Keep your ideas coming though, at least I am moving in the right direction now..thanks

[Audio~Geek]

Start with a fresh install of Windows. After that Windows updates. After that get Firefox.
After that get CCleaner and defraggler. Run both.
After that get the most recent drivers for everything, don't forget the processor.
Install each piece of hardware 1 at a time.
After that get the most recent versions of your recording software and any additional patches.

Antivirus software may be working against you as well

[Dougthehead]

Wow, I had no idea you could update the drivers for the processor? How? Is that what they mean by service packs?
I have Sunday off and I will attempt to do the above suggestions. "Put a fresh pot on kids because its going to be a long night" I will just attempt to do this stuff one at a time...Oh by the way, would it be worth the money to get a second HD? Will this help?

You guys are great for taking your time to help me out, thanks, there is a cold beer in the fridge for you.

PS: is that the name of the program or are you just saying to clean and defrag. I am afraid of the aftermarket cleaner programs because I had a program called FIX IT and it really f#*k my computer up, thats where a lot of my problems started...

[Audio~Geek]

Yes you can get driver updates for processors
Sometimes the windows updates will have drivers too, but usually you have to go to the optional hardware options to install the updates.
You SHOULD go to the manufacturer website for video, processor, and M-Audio to get the latest drivers.

It's definitely worth having a second hard drive. In fact it's MANDITORY!

I have 3 internal drives and 2 firewire external. I actually need to get a few more to implement a better backup system.

re: PS.
yes those are the brand names of products I highly recommend.
CCleaner - Home
Defraggler - Defragment your files!