Error "6085" Buffer Underflowed - Pro Tools 10.1.2

[eotwguitarist]

Hey guys,

Before I start, let me say that I have searched the forums for the past month with no help on this issue what so ever. I have attempted everything that anyone suggested in every forum I could find and got nothing.

Seems to be a pretty common issue that the songs stop at a particular point due to a buffer issue (error 6085).

I am running 10-12 imported mono tracks that I recorded on another computer and 1 stereo instrument track (superior drummer). My CPU Performance is running between 30%-40%. Pro Tools stops at a different spot in each song but in each song its a specific spot. There are no plug-ins, the audio is simply panned left/right and has a slight gain increase on each track - other than that it's the RAW audio recording.

I noticed the problem when trying to record a bass track, but it even continued when just playing back. I have reformatted my computer and now pro tools is the ONLY thing installed with the same continuing issue.

SYSTEM SPECS:
Alienware M14X - Laptop
Seagate Momentus 750GB HDD 7200 RPM
8GB RAM - 1866MHz
Intel i5 Dual-Core 2.30GHz
Intel HD Graphics 3000

Windows 7 64-bit SP1

M-Audio Fast Track C600

Pro Tools 10.1.2



--------------------------------------------------------------------------

If there is anything else you need to know please let me know. I am hoping to get this resolved because I have been dealing with this issue for almost a month now and have had no luck with an answer.

SIDE NOTE: If I can get this issue solved I will add "SOLVED" to my title to hopefully help other users

[albee1952]

Posting a Sandra report is often the key to the best advice(see link below). Meanwhile, I spy 2 possible hardware issues. Intel HD graphics usually means integrated graphics, which is very often a show stopper for Pro Tools. Then, you mention a single hard drive and you need 2 hard drives. Recording needs to be done to a separate hard drive, 7200 rpm(or faster) and with an approved interface. For a Windows 7 machine, that includes USB2, SATA(internal) or eSATA(no firewire drives on Windows 7 for recording). There's also the possiblity of corruption with an audio file, so here's a trick that might help: create a new session and chage the sample rate(if old is 44.1, make the new sessin 48 or vice versa). The import session data and SRC(check box) so all the audio files get re-written on the way in. That has saved me twice, but your hardware needs to be right.

Help us Help You - READ THIS Before Posting!

[eotwguitarist]

I am downloading Sandra to give an accurate map out right now - details to come soon.

Having 2 hard drives is difficult to ask for a laptop. As for external hard drives, I have a 2TB Ext. HD, but that caused problems because even at 2.0 USB speed it would catch and lag because the info was not being read quick enough (or so I was told). My laptop has no Firewire ports and only has 3 USB ports which are all currently occupied (iLok, Audio Interface, Mouse) I can switch to the touchpad if I need to free up that USB port - (unfortunately I just noticed my ext. drive is only 5400 RPM)

As for the integrated graphics I don't know how I would fix that. This laptop cost me $1,200. If I need to sell it (cuz it's still brand new) and upgrade then I will. I don't know of a laptop that comes with a graphics card though, as opposed to integrated.

[eotwguitarist]

SiSoftware Sandra

Computer
Model : Alienware M14xR1
Workgroup : WORKGROUP
Host Name : Justin-PC
User : Justin

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2410M CPU @ 2.30GHz
Speed : 2.9GHz
Cores per Processor : 2 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 2 Unit(s)
Type : Dual-Core
Integrated Data Cache : 2x 32kB, Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way, 64 byte line size, 2 threads sharing
L2 On-board Cache : 2x 256kB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 8-way, 64 byte line size, 2 threads sharing
L3 On-board Cache : 3MB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 12-way, Exclusive, 64 byte line size, 4 threads sharing

Computer
Mainboard : Alienware M14xR1
BIOS : Alienware A05 08/12/2011
Bus(es) : PCI PCIe USB i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : No
Total Memory : 8GB DDR3 SO-DIMM

Chipset
Model : Dell Sandy Bridge DRAM Controller
Front Side Bus Speed : 1x 100MHz (100MHz)
Total Memory : 8GB DDR3 SO-DIMM
Channels : 2
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 933MHz (1.87GHz)

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Kingston KHX1866C11S34G 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-14200S DDR3-1778 (11-11-11-32 5-44-14-7)
Memory Module : Kingston KHX1866C11S34G 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-14200S DDR3-1778 (11-11-11-32 5-44-14-7)

Video System
Video Adapter : Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000 (12 SM4.1 650MHz, 64MB DDR3 2x933MHz, Integrated Graphics)

Graphics Processor
Compute Shader Processor : Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000 (12SP 650MHz, 64MB 2x933MHz, Integrated Graphics)

Storage Devices
Seagate ST9750420AS (750.2GB, SATA300, 2.5", 7200rpm, NCQ, 16MB Cache) : 699GB (C:)
HL-DT-ST DVD+/-RW GS30N (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (D:)

Logical Storage Devices
RECOVERY : 19GB (NTFS)
OS (C:) : 679GB (NTFS) @ Seagate ST9750420AS (750.2GB, SATA300, 2.5", 7200rpm, NCQ, 16MB Cache)
Hard Disk (Q:) : N/A
Optical Drive (D:) : N/A @ HL-DT-ST DVD+/-RW GS30N (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : Dell Cougar Point LPC Controller
Audio Device : Dell Cougar Point High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Codec : Realtek Semiconductor High Definition Audio
Disk Controller : Dell Cougar Point 6 port SATA AHCI Controller
Disk Controller : Dell 5209h
USB Controller 1 : Dell Cougar Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #1
USB Controller 2 : Dell uPD720200 USB 3.0 Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : Intel 801xx/63xx SMBus
SMBus/i2c Controller 2 : IPMI T0 Controller

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Send To Microsoft OneNote 2010 Driver (1200x1200, Colour)
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer (600x600, Colour)
Fax : Microsoft Shared Fax Driver (200x200)

Network Services
Network Adapter : Atheros AR8151 PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet Controller (NDIS 6.20)
Wireless Adapter 1 : Intel(R) WiFi Link 1000 BGN (802.11g (ERP), WEP n-bit, 54Mbps)

Power Management
Mains (AC) Line Status : On-Line
Battery No 1 : 100%

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 7 Home 6.01.7601 (Service Pack 1)
Platform Compliance : x64

Windows Experience Index
Current System : 5.9

[eotwguitarist]

My internal graphics card is able to run starcraft II at it's highest graphic level without lag or any kind of problems. I don't know how that would be the problem.

If you could guarantee that a 2.0/3.0 USB ext. hard drive would solve my issue then I will spend the money on that, but if my integrated graphics will still be causing the issue then I don't want to spend the money.

If you get an ext. hard drive do you install pro tools on that? and save the music files to your computer? OR do you install pro tools to your computer and read the music from the external HD? Would that effect the iLok being plugged into the PC?

[eotwguitarist]

UPDATE:

After talking with Dell/Alineware support I found out that my graphics card is actually nVidia DeForce GT555M and is not integrated. I didn't have the driver installed for it though. I am doing that now.

If anyone has a good USB 3.0 (I checked with support and I have 2 USB 3.0 ports and 1 2.0 port) ext. hard drive that would work well for this I think I can finally fix this issue. Also, I am considering getting a USB hub to open up more USB ports during recording, would this be a good idea?


EDIT: apologies for the multiple posts...I am new to posting on forums and just figured out the "edit" button :/

[albee1952]

Got fingers crossed for the graphics bit. As for recording drives, as you discovered, many externals use slow drives. One solution is to build your own by grabbing a generic USB2 case and dropping in a nice WD Caviar Black drive(in any case, Pro Tools is always installed to the C: drive). The idea is to create/save your sessions to a separate drive. Forget firewire, its a "no go" with WIndows 7. If you have an eSATA port, that's the best choice(performance should be equal to a second internal drive). You could also check with Alienware to see if your model can take a second internal in place of the optical drive(USB optical drives are pretty cheap and will work fine). I use external DVD burners on both my systems without issue. Wish could promise all will be perfect with a proper recording drive, but compatibility with PC laptops is a constantly moving target

[eotwguitarist]

I don't have an eSATA port on my laptop unfortunately, the best that I have is USB 3.0 ports. I can swap out my Optical Drive for a secondary hard drive, though.

It would probably be smart to change that anyways since are not that expensive.


Are you saying that a USB 3.0 would not be a good choice for using an ext. hard drive? for this particular situation

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by eotwguitarist

I don't have an eSATA port on my laptop unfortunately, the best that I have is USB 3.0 ports. I can swap out my Optical Drive for a secondary hard drive, though.

It would probably be smart to change that anyways since are not that expensive.


Are you saying that a USB 3.0 would not be a good choice for using an ext. hard drive? for this particular situation

I can't comment on USB3 as I have never used it. I would "expect" it to work fine, but you just never know Personally, I really like the idea of swapping the optical for another internal. Mostly because internal drives almost always give better Pro Tools performance. I hope you get it going. I know the pain of getting a laptop that just won't work

[eotwguitarist]

I just got paid so I plan on jumping at the secondary internal drive today It seems like a smart buy regardless. If nothing else I can always use the hard-drive i buy in a USB enclosure and use that as an External. Plus then I can upgrade for a blu-ray external drive

I will keep you posted on if the secondary drive works.