Problem with audio playback.

So I have this problem with audio playback on my computer. Basicly, the audio will become all garbled every now and then. Skipping, "chopping" or whatever it's called. And before you ask, this is not a problem with the audio files themselves.

The only thing I can think of myself is that it's due to insufficient power supply.

I currectly have three hard drives (40+200+300), as well as a dvd burner, feeding off (what I think is) a 200W power supply. As this started happening only after I added the 300 gb drive, I assume it has to be somehow connected to that.

I actually used to have this problem in the past too, but only when I read from/wrote to a cd/dvd. Now it happens pretty much all the time.

Any ideas?

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Needs more information.

- operating system
- mainboard
- soundcard/onboard?
- driver version
- software used to play files

I don't think it's your power supply. If your output isn't sufficient, it would usually just reboot the system periodically or not boot up at all.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

[QUOTE=Rock]Needs more information.

Quote:

- operating system

Win XP Pro

Quote:

- mainboard

No Idea.

Quote:

- soundcard/onboard?

Onboard.

Quote:

- driver version

No idea.


Here are some specs. Don't know if they help.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Get a new power source, or try to remove the 40GB HD.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Grawl

Get a new power source, or try to remove the 40GB HD.

I'd rather not remove the 40 as it's the primary drive. I guess I should just get a new power supply, but I'd just like to know that that is definitely what's causing this to happen.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Maybe adding more RAM wouldn't be a bad idea. Don't forget it needs to work with another hard drive (The 300 one).

And your PSU is old. I'd change it for at least a 300W one.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Originally Posted by Unforgiven

Maybe adding more RAM wouldn't be a bad idea. Don't forget it needs to work with another hard drive (The 300 one).

So you'd say that insufficient RAM could also be the cause? Natuarally, 256 SDRAM isn't exactly much these days and I should do an upgrade, but as I said I'm jreally only interested in getting the problem at hand fixed at the moment.

FELIPE NO

Something just like what you described happened to me recenty, after upgrading to more powerful hardware but still remaining on an even weaker (145W peak) power supply.

Upgrading that caused everything to work fine. I think you're possibly cutting it close with your power.

Even if it's not this that's causing the problem at all, you should upgrade to a more powerful supply either way, for the sake of stability ~

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I doubt the RAM is the issue here, but 256 is really, really low. I'd first just try to get a new PSU, since that should be the main problem here.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Try it without the 300GB HD, if not try the latest audio drivers, check for any conflicts in device manager, check settings in bios and sound settings in windows and as a last resort try upgrading your PSU.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Originally Posted by Roph

Something just like what you described happened to me recenty, after upgrading to more powerful hardware but still remaining on an even weaker (145W peak) power supply.

Upgrading that caused everything to work fine. I think you're possibly cutting it close with your power.

Even if it's not this that's causing the problem at all, you should upgrade to a more powerful supply either way, for the sake of stability ~

Thanks. I reckon it has to be the power supply then

Originally Posted by Grawl

I doubt the RAM is the issue here, but 256 is really, really low. I'd first just try to get a new PSU, since that should be the main problem here.

Yeah, 256 is pretty ancient I guess. I probably would have done something about it if it hadn't been such a bitch to find compatible RAM sticks.

Originally Posted by El Ray Fernando

Try it without the 300GB HD, if not try the latest audio drivers, check for any conflicts in device manager, check settings in bios and sound settings in windows and as a last resort try upgrading your PSU.

Yeah, it doesn't happen without the 300 gb one connected. And I actually have no idea how to update the drivers, since it's an onboard job and I have no idea what the motherboard is called or what make it is. And when checking the device manager and bios settings I found nothing out of the ordinary.


Thanks for the help guys. I've already looked for around a bit for a new power supply and found a few 300 and 350 ones that sounded alright. If anyone has any suggestions though, I'd appreciate it.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

You can always get Everest to check the information of your mainboard. While it isn't 100% accurate, it might help loads with your problem. There's also Driver Guide if you want to get the drivers pretty easily. You gotta register, though.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?