Computer glitches!!!!

[supersor]

Hey,

Thought about a new thread. Where we can discuss computer glitches of audio apps and workarounds. For example, I always found Quicktime a pain in the ass, and when I saw Brandon calling it a 'death trap', that kind of confirmed that my suspicions were founded. Soon as I installed it on my comp, it started slowing downs. But certain program wont run without Quicktime installed. So what's the workaround for that? Don't know yet, but if someone has it please pass it along

Another thing.... VSampler inside Sonar, for some reason it just screws things up. Maybe it's my setup, but I tried it on two comps, with horrible results on both.

I posted this on this on the engineering thread because it seems logical it should go here, but if I should post this stuff somewhere else, let me know.

Thanks ...

[Andrew07]

Norton Antivirus Center Whatever. As soon as I installed it it was like my PC got dropped into the pool. McAfee also slowed down my girlfriend's computer a lot(but then again her dad also installed Limewire and all this SBC virus/update/scanning shit).

Installed AVG and Sygate for firewall/antivirus protection on her laptop and it seems to be working A-OK...plus its free

[brandondrury]

Thought about a new thread. Where we can discuss computer glitches of audio apps and workarounds.

Sounds good to me.

http://www.recordingreview.com/artic...-%7B47%7D-DAW/

http://www.recordingreview.com/artic...ical-Problems/

I always found Quicktime a pain in the ass, and when I saw Brandon calling it a 'death trap', that kind of confirmed that my suspicions were founded.

The mayhem caused by Quicktime is comparable of that of Oprah.

But certain program wont run without Quicktime installed. So what's the workaround for that?

Search in Google for "Quicktime Alternative". If you must have Quicktime, this is a musch less devastating way to go.

Another thing.... VSampler inside Sonar, for some reason it just screws things up. Maybe it's my setup, but I tried it on two comps, with horrible results on both.

You've got me on that one. I've never used that sampler or Sonar.

Samplers are some of the most aggessive tasks a computer must deal with. I sometimes have trouble with Kontakt. It's not really Kontact, it's me asking my computer to do too much. Over time, you learn what you can get away with.

I posted this on this on the engineering thread because it seems logical it should go here, but if I should post this stuff somewhere else, let me know.

This category will work. It's not exactly audio engineering. I don't know what it is. No big deal, really.

Brandon

[supersor]

Thanks Andrew, I'll try the alternatives for Norton AV. Unfortunately I got a trial version of NAV free with the MoBo and (stupid person that I am) actually installed it. It really sucks the life out of your comp. Not only is it running a lot of background crap looking for viruses on net intrusions, but it even pops up from time to time to tell me that 'all the programs are running ok'... ridiculous stuff.

I'll also try the Quicktime workaround that Brandon suggests.

Just wondering out loud here but is anyone (who's doing music) planning on trying out Vista... I personally was thinking about swapping Win 32 bit for the 64 bit version (since I have a processor that can do that now) but I don't know if it's worth it.

[brandondrury]

is anyone (who's doing music) planning on trying out Vista... I personally was thinking about swapping Win 32 bit for the 64 bit version (since I have a processor that can do that now) but I don't know if it's worth it.

You may get a little benefit from your processor, but how will your sound card and recording software perform?

Brandon

[supersor]

Hmmmmm... Didn't think about that... I thought that sice it's XP (64 bit version but still XP, not Vista) things would work with normal Xp drivers... Maybe I'm not up to speed on the drivers but I thought ALL Xp drivers work with XP (be it 64 or 32 bit). Went to the M-audio site (got a Delta 1010lt on) and they don't specify that it doesn't work on win 64.

As far as soft goes, Sonar has the 6.2 update that works in 64 bits... thought I'd go that route. Anybody tried it? Read some oppinions on the net which said that 64 bit (if the soft actually uses it) makes a noticeable difference.

[brandondrury]

I thought that sice it's XP (64 bit version but still XP, not Vista) things would work with normal Xp drivers...

To be honest, I have no idea either way. We both can assume all day long, but it's your ass if your software doesn't work.

So do your homework and let us know.

As far as soft goes, Sonar has the 6.2 update that works in 64 bits... thought I'd go that route. Anybody tried it? Read some oppinions on the net which said that 64 bit (if the soft actually uses it) makes a noticeable difference.

I've never tried Sonar. I've been happy with Cubase since I jumped in.

I've also heard that there is a noticeable difference between 32bit and 64bit. Again, this is me just passing rumors and not speaking from my own experiences.

Brandon

[supersor]

Just a little input here... Got Registry Mechanic for my comp. and I have to say I'm very happy with it's performance so far. Tried some other sofware for 'registry cleanup' but this was the best. Really simple, fast and effective (in my case). I don't use the 'optimize' option (don't know what it does so I won't use it), but I just clean the registry once in awhile. So far I'm pleased with the fact that a lot of hiccups have been cured and I can really sense an improvement.

I install and uninstall stuff on my comp, so I'm not one of those immaculate guys who just install their 3 soft programs and that's it.... I've got to dick around with stuff and try it out, and of course, all this stuff leaves traces, even if uninstalled. Some stuff even when installed properly, still has registry problems (long live windows ) . I've tried some other utilities for fixing stuff up, but wasn't satisfied... but so far (2 months of constant abuse Registry Mechanic has been up to the task.... and you can always restore to a backed up version (but so far I didn't see the need for that).

At least in my case, I've noticed among other things that 2 plugs that used to crash my main app, don't do that anymore. It's not a miracle cure, but unlike other similar stuff I tried in the past (some which actually made the situation WORSE), this one actually visibly works.... at least that has been my 2 months experience so far. I still agree with Brandon that after a few months you need to reinstall windows, no matter how carefull you are.

[brandondrury]

I've got to dick around with stuff and try it out, and of course, all this stuff leaves traces, even if uninstalled.

Agreed. Any installed program will cripple performance. It seams to exponentialy reduce computer power for ever 5 programs installed (after the initial first 5). This is why I refuse to install anything unnecessary on my recording computer.

Registry cleaners have their place. They get you out of jams when you are in a hurry. However, I think there is something wrong with installing another program to clean up your installed (and uninstalled) programs. So with that in mind, I can't say that I endorse the use of registry cleaners. It's a band aid that doesn't address the real problem.

It's not a miracle cure

Agreed. The miracle cure is formatting your hard drives and starting from scratch. Unfortunately, that takes a lot of time.

Brandon

[supersor]

The way it was explained to me by one of these real whiz It guy was like this: if microsoft makes the OS, company X makes the soft, and Y makes the hardware, there is little to no chance of things can work seamlessly... not to mention here third party stuff which adds another problem to the equation. The new OS is better at dealling with hiccups, which you may not even notice, but that doesn't mean that an install or uninstall is 100% OK... even explained with examples how a computer might mistake one .dll for another (happens more often than you think)... or something to that effect... since it's way past my head.

This guy has his OS installed for at least 2 and half years, if not more. He uses, installs and uninstalls programs constantly, including video editing and sound programs (he's one of these hobby people into audio video work).... Most of the times I learn from him about some programs I didn't even have idea they existed... But the point is, his computer is a freakin' rocket. Exactly like a computer with a fresh OS installed. My OS, after a few weeks you can feel it act up, even if it doesn't crash or anything.... just gets more... well, lazy.

He says that if you want to keep your computer running smooth, you have to go into the registry after all installs and uninstalls and make sure things are RIGHT.... if not, you correct them. This is a MUST because, according to him, you shouldn't hold your breath for 3 separate companies to make products that work seamlessly.... if microsoft released XP and the same day they had SP1 available... which means they couldn't get their house in order... what chance do you have for 3/4 companies to get it right 100%

Well this is a bit beyond my reach, manually doing registry stuff...