Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by Blackhart

PC performance slows and audio distorts

Blackhart — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:17:58 +0800

I got my computer assembled early this year, and this problem keeps cropping back.Here's the problem:

When I got my PC brand new, everything worked fine with no apparent problems until a month or two.Now my computer's performance is noticeably slower (like opening new applications, iTunes now shows a loading/saving library bar when opening/closing; normally it doesn't have to) and worst of all there will be some noise/distortion when playing any kind of audio from my USB soundcard.The frequency or loudness of the noise seems to be related to the CPU usage.When there is a spike in CPU usage, the noise follows.The bummer is when my PC is in the current state the CPU usage bumps up to >50% very easily.

Like I have said this thing started some time ago, so when that thing happens I try reinstalling Windows XP.Then everything returns to normal, in a week or more the problem returns.I tried this many many times, so reinstalling Windows is not a permanent solution.Sometimes Windows gives me an error message "Delayed write failed" or something where a random hard disk (I have 4 in my PC) suddenly cannot be detected.After restarting Windows the hard disk should be back though.I have added new Hard Disks and tried installing Windows on every one of them but eventually the problem still comes back.

ADDITIONAL INFO THAT MAY/MAY NOT BE RELATED: my PC also used to have another problem where sometimes it randomly crashes and flashes a BSOD.Later I found out it was a faulty RAM and got it repaired.So far no more BSODs.

I'd really appreciate any advice here.Thank you

UPDATE: I decided to install the Realtek HD Audio driver the CD that came with the Mobo.There is no noise from the onboard soundcard but the slight drop of CPU performance is still noticeable.
UPDATE 2: When installing some drivers from that CD the computer rebooted a couple of times.Every time it rebooted the PC ran a Disk Check on the F: drive that had the "Delayed write failed" error earlier today.

Broken power adapter

Blackhart — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:42:16 +0800

This Creative SB Audigy2 NX USB soundcard has been with me for over a year, and has been working fine although towards the end I did not use it much.Then one day after selling it I was told that the power adapter is not working as the light there is not lit when powered.I hope it is just the adapter that is broken and not the soundcard itself.
So I thought a visit to the official Creative store in Low Yat can solve this issue but no they have to fold when I finally got use for them.I heard the other Creative store/office/HQ is at Damansara Utama but I don't know exactly where.

To cut it short I want to know where I can go get the adapter replaced or repaired, whether it is from Creative itself or third parties.I wouldn't mind if any sifu here can help to repair it for me too
I hope you guys can help me with this

ORIGINAL HDCD skipping?!

Blackhart — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 23:43:47 +0800

Here's the story;
I've been collecting some Beach Boys reissues that are remastered in HDCD.They all play fine except when playing on my car's player (I tried this only on one occasion with an album's last track), EXCEPT for one particular CD, this one:
Today!/Summer Days (And Summer Nights!!)

At the last track which is track 29 at near three-quarter of the song it would randomly skip/jump and pause.I tried it on my computer and DVD player.So I went back to Tower records to complain, they tried it on a dedicated CD player with headphones and it played flawlessly but when I told them to try it on the DVD player to DJ uses to blast music in the store the same disc reading error persists.

They have 3 copies of the same CD but they all have the same problem.However on Amazon nobody complains about it.Can somebody explain this and advise me on what I can do about this?Sorry for the long story guys .

Questions on EMU 0404

Blackhart — Wed, 23 Aug 2006 01:40:40 +0800

I switched to EMU 0404 quite recently and I noticed that there is no stereo separation on the music I listen.
Another thing is when I open a new session on the PatchMix DSP I choose any template under the "88k / 96k" or "176k / 192k" tabs it won't produce any sound.
I don't really know how to use this PatchMix DSP so please excuse my ignorance.Can anybody please help me on this?Thanks in advance