Win XP Pro MP3 instability

[sps]

I've got problems playing MP3s on my system and can't figure out why. Here's the system:

Win XP Pro - all updates installed
MSI K7T Pro 2A - using onboard AC97 audio, BIOS up to date
T-bird 1000 @ 1000
256 MB Infineon PC133 SDRAM
Maxtor 40 GB HD

It doesn't matter if I use Winamp, Windows Media Player, etc. Whenever I play any MP3 file, I get complete lock-ups within a minute or two. I've got all of the latest XP updates installed. I installed the Via 4 in 1 driver to try to fix the problem to no avail. I tried the via AC97 drivers to no avail. My BIOS is up to date. I'm running out of ideas. The system was rock solid with 2000 (I don't think I ever had a lock-up - programs would crash occasionally but they wouldn't ever take Windows down). I get lockups every now and then without playing MP3s (pretty rare) but I always get lockups when playing an MP3. Can anybody offer any suggestions? I'm out of things to try or look at.

Thanks!

 

[TheCorm]

Is there much else running when you try and play the MP3's? AC97 is heavily CPU dependent.

Are all the MP3's you have tried to play of a particular quality? Are they Fixed Bitrate or Variable? Can you get hold of a PCI soundcard to try to see if that will work, even something like an old soundblaster or C-Media card?

Corm

 

[sps]

Usually either nothing else is running or IE 6 is running. The CPU is never being at all heavily taxed during the lockups. Unfortunately I don't have a PCI soundcard handy to try. If I can't come up with anything else, I may buy an inexpensive (but good quality) sound card to try out and see if that makes a difference. I don't really want to have to do that without exhausting other options though....

 

[sps]

Does anybody else have any suggestions besides trying a different sound card?

 

[CplHicks]

Is your system stable when playing other media types (.wav, .wma, .avi, .rm, etc.)? Try to figure out if this is just an issue with mp3s or with all audio/video.

Also, a decent sound card can be had for cheap (<$20) and will give you better sound and performance than built-in sound. You might want to check out the hot deals or FS/FT forums to see if you can find a cheap card.

 

[Jace]

I read that you have all the XP udpates installed, but I just thought I'd check, did you install the Via media driver update from the windows update site?

If not, you might uninstall the via version and visit the windows update site to install it.

Good luck.

 

[sps]

Jace,

Where is the Via media driver update? I can't find it on Microsoft's site. Like I said, I did install everything I found on the Windows Update site, but I don't specifically remember seeing that. I did update everything from Microsoft before installing anything from Via.

CplHicks,

I have tried other media types and while I have gotten lockups, I haven't gotten any more than I usually get while just surfing the net or whatever. The only thing that guarantees lockups is playing MP3s. I know that a better sound card would sound much better than the onboard audio, but I have crappy speakers so that it just wouldn't be worth upgrading, even at $20. If, on the other hand, $20 makes my computer no longer lock-up all the time, it would be worth it.

 

[sps]

Does no one else have any suggestions? I can't believe I'm the only person to ever have this problem.

 

[toant103]

disable the build in sound and try a real sound card?


when your playing mp3's, are you using any visual plugins?

 

[sps]

No visual plug-ins. It locks up with every mp3 player I've tried (Winamp lite, Win Media Player, ATI player, etc. etc.). I guess I will be looking for a new sound card this weekend to try. Any suggestions for an inexpensive quality sound card? Who besides Sound Blaster makes a good card? Is Turtle Beach still any good?

 

[Jace]

The via driver is on the Windows Update website under the Drivers section. At least that's where I found it and installed it on about a dozen computers using MSI K7T series motherboards.

 

[AKA]

Just turn down sound acceleration 1 increment at a time til it works.

Go into sounds & multimedia, audio, advance, peformance.

 

[Ram0]

I recommend using turtle beach over audigy or other sb cards for mp3's even though its more expensive. Also, try using Coolplayer for your mp3's.

 

[sps]

Originally posted by: Jace
The via driver is on the Windows Update website under the Drivers section. At least that's where I found it and installed it on about a dozen computers using MSI K7T series motherboards.

Jace,

After trying an old SoundBlaster card I had at work, I?ve discovered that it is in fact, a driver or hardware conflict with my onboard audio that?s causing the problem in XP. I tried looking at Microsoft?s site and can?t find the Via media driver update for the life of me. I can?t even find a way to just download updates for XP without going through the stupid Windows update thing that scans your OS. I used to be familiar with the site because of having to download service packs for NT and 2000 but I can?t find such a spot for XP. Can you provide me with a link of where you downloaded the driver?

Thanks!