Short-term memory loss?

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neirbo

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I have been having lots of trouble with my computer system. I am running Sonar with the Aardvark Q10 on Win 2K, but I had similar trouble when I had PA 9 and Win 98 SE. When I first start up, the computer operates slowly (e.g. opening programs) and I can't play my recordings. Eventually, something clicks and the computer runs faster, and my recording playback fine. I've tried lots of tweaking, including making sure there are no IRQ conflicts and turing off PCI steering in 2K. I've also tried replacing or disabling most of my hardware, except the memory and MoBo.

Can any of you computer guru types tell me if this is possibly a memory problem? I sometimes get "memory test failure" when I start up, but not always. Is it possible that the memory module doesn't initialize right away, and then eventually kicks in at some random time?

I have an Asus A7m266 with 256 meg of DDR ram.

Thanks.
 
This may seem like a dumb question, but are you running a background virus scan on startup?

If not, and if your 256 RAM is compossed of two 128 modules, remove one of them, test, then swap for the other. If your 256 is a single module it might be worth your while to buy another (they're cheap) and swap with your original.
 
Doesn't sound like a dumb question to me, since I'm not sure where you are going with this. I think there is a message about a virus scan during the boot sequence, but I can't remember exactly and I'm not home to check. How do you think this may be involved?

I actually did just order a new memory module. I figure I can always use an extra 256 of RAM even if it turns out my current one is ok. I'll try swapping the old one out once I get it and see if my problems clear up.
 
Typically while a virus scan is going on, your computer will run more slowly, as you described. If you have your anti-virus software set to do a scan in the background every time you boot, that could be your problem.
 
Now I get it. I thought you were talking about the scan that happens during the boot sequence. I have disabled virus scan, and all other background programs, in Windows.
 
Possible problem 1: Startup programs.

You said you disabled all "background" programs. So I think you may have already covered this one. But the background programs aren't just the one's whose icons you can see in the systray. The most heinous of background programs run without ever letting you know it. I would check your "Run"s and "RunOnce"s in the registry and see what loads every time Windows boots. But once again,.. you may have already done this.

Possible Problem 2: Cheap RAM.

In general, I would stay away from high-density low-grade RAM. It causes all sorts of goofy problems, such as spontaneous re-boots and app failure. So I guess this could be one possible reason for it. (Especially since you are getting that "Memory test failure" at times)

Other than that, it would help if you gave us all the specs on the system. That may lead to an idea of what is wrong. But I'm still leaning towards some kind of undetected start-up program. Back in the day (before my computers were so fast that they could make breakfast for me while burning a CD and running an Unreal server) I used to have problems like this when booting. And another indication of whether or not it is a start-up issue would depend on how long the "lag" problems lasts. Is it a minute? Is it 30 seconds? Or is it 5 minutes? etc...

OK.. I'm done rambling now. Good luck on finding the problem.

WATYF
 
WATYF,

I used msconfig to disable all startup programs. At least, I think I did. I am a little confused by Win 2K's task manager. It has an "applications" tab, which is empty, but also another tab that shows about 20 processes that are running (drivers, I think?). I'm not sure if I can stop any of these.

I ordered new RAM, which should come today. I'm hoping this will be the magic bullet I've been looking for. If not, I'll post more detailed specs and try picking some more brains on this forum. Thanks for your input.

Dave
 
I know some of these background functions are important. But some of them are crap you don't need. You have to figure out which ones are important.
 
I popped in a new memory module, and my computer is still screwy. This is driving me nuts. If anyone can help me figure this out there'll be a little extra something in your paycheck next week.

The most common symptom is that when I open Sonar, it takes about 30 seconds for it to actually open. Other programs open fine. Then, I get a pop up window saying that the sound card is either in use or does not support the audio format. I have the audio format set for 16 bit, 44.1, so this is not the problem. If I run the wave profiler this sometimes clears up the problem, sometimes not. Usually if I leave the computer on long enough, it will eventually kick in and start working, but only after I shut down and reboot.

I have my sound card and video card isolated on separate IRQs. I've disabled all startup programs and Windows sounds. I have the same problem whether my on-board sound chip is enabled or disabled. I have two hard drives, each with Win 2K and Sonar, and I get the same problem if I boot from either one.

I have installed Windows Service Pack 2, recently flashed my BIOS, have the latest sound and video drivers. I have tried replacing the power supply, the video card and the memory, all with no effect.

The oly other things I can think to do are: replace the MoBo or get an exorcist. The thing is, it DOES usually work eventually. And once it starts working, it stays working until I turn it off for 30 minutes or so. This makes me think the hardware is fine and that there is some conflict I haven't thought of. Any ideas?


My system:
Asus A7m266 MoBo with sound chip
Aardvark Q10
Matrox G450 video card
256 DDR ram
Maxtor 10 gig, 5400 RMP drive for programs
Quantum Fireball 40 gig 7200 for audio data
CD-RW
 
You said you tried a new power supply, how many watts was it?
 
Well that sounds like more than just a start-up problem.

Did you run a virus scanner? Just to make sure you didn't catch something nasty. :p

Also,.. while a new mobo might (or might not) clear this up.. I would think something less drastic would also clear it up. When I switch from W2K to Win XP Pro, a number of previous issues no longer plagued me. Or,.. you can simply do a fresh install. While some people find this extreme,.. I like to keep my system pretty clean so that if I need to start over, it's not so big of a deal.

As for the task manager,.. yes,.. you should have about 20-30 apps running in the background. Most of em are windows components and drivers. But it could be that one of em is a rogue. Maybe if you list em for us, that would help. Also... when you're having this problem,.. make a note of what's running in the "Processes" tab,.. and then when the problem clears up,.. see if there's anything that's no longer running.

Is it just my piss-poor memory,.. or did W2K not use msconfig...? I coulda swore it didn't have msconfig. In any event,... in your registry (under Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion) there should be a few folders called "Run" and "RunOnce" which will contain anything that loads at boot-up... you can check to make sure there's nothing in there that you don't want. But like I said,... this doesn't sound so much like just a boot-up problem anymore.

WATYF
 
I've tried a fresh install several times, both with Win 98 SE and 2K. I also tried varying the order in which I install my drivers. Once I hit on a configuration that worked well for a few weeks, then suddenly failed on me for unknown reasons.

I did not run a virus scanner, but since I am not hooked to the internet, and have done the reformat/reinstall routine many times, I don't think a virus is the issue.

I forgot to copy down the Task Manager process tab, but all that is showing up as "in use" is Sonar and my Aardvark card. Everything else is showing 0 on the meter. I did notice though that my CPU meter jumps up to 100 and stays there while the Sonar is trying to open. Seems like the computer is trying hard to do something, but I don't know what.

The sound card itself appears to be working fine. Even when Sonar is locking up, I can plug in a guitar to any input and hear it through any output.

Win 2K does not come with a msconfig. But someone sent me a utility that does the same thing.

I'm thinking of borrowing Win Xp from someone and seeing if that takes care of my problems. But I would want to try it out before I shell out the money for an upgrade only to find I have the same problem.

I appreciate your help WAYTF, and everyone else. Please keep it coming.
 
Geez...

ya got me on that one... If you've already done multiple fresh installs (of different O/S's)... and nothing's using up your CPU when this problem happens... then I can't think of what would cause something like that...

of course.. you can always take my approach...

Get a new system :)

My last system had a few small quirks... not enough for any normal person to really be bothered by... but I'm picky... and extremely impatient... I didn't like the delays caused by these quirks... so... I got a new system... :D I stepped up in every way.. my HD was faster.. the O/S was more stable and "smarter" (W2K to WinXP)... the motherboard was more stable and feature rich... you name it.. it was better. The great thing about this is that I was able to sell my old computer... (which was an Athlon 1.4GHZ.. so it's not exactly "old") for almost as much as it cost me to upgrade. So I came out on top in every way....

so basically... if it's causing you that much heartache... and you can't find a single thing to solve the problem... just do what I do...

scrap it and start over. :D

WATYF

P.S. This is the config I upgraded to... I'm extremely happy with almost all of it. The only thing I'm mildly disappointed in is the CD-RW... but I knew it wasn't the best choice when I got it.. It was just a "good enough" choice.

Athlon XP1900+
Soyo Dragon Plus mobo
512MB Kingston DDR RAM
Maxtor 40GB 7200RPM Diamond Max Plus HDD
Pioneer 16X DVD (Slot load... whoo hoo!!)
AOpen 24x10x40 CD-RW
Windows XP Pro

This system is the fastest and most stable thing I've ever worked on... and I can't wait until I get my Delta44 to see how far I can push this thing when recording. (I give myself... maybe... six months before I upgrade again. :D The new "Athlons" (ClawHammer) should be out at the end of the year... and God knows I won't be caught dead using old technology.... :D )
 
Right now upgrading sounds like an option. I've gone months without recording a thing while I wrestle with this. This is the most expensive paperweight I ever bought.

Elevate, I had a 300 watt Enermax power supply, and tried a 400 watt. It did not help, so I went back to my 300 watt. Even when I disconnect my second hard drive and CD-RW I get the same problem, so I don't think power is the issue.

I am going to try Windows XP Pro, hopefully tomorrow. If that does not work, a new MoBo it is.
 
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