popping/static during playback. Here is Sandra report. Please help!

[Josh Franklin]

Here is my Sandra report. I have seen several other threads about similar problems with static and popping while playing back and I have tried many, many things. Please help! Thank you!

-Josh

SiSoftware Sandra

Computer
Model : Toshiba Satellite A665
Workgroup : WORKGROUP
Host Name : owner-PC
User : owner

Processor
Model : Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q 740 @ 1.73GHz
Speed : 1.86GHz
Cores per Processor : 4 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 2 Unit(s)
Type : Mobile, Quad-Core
Integrated Data Cache : 4x 32kB, Synchronous, Write-Thru, 8-way, 64 byte line size, 2 threads sharing
L2 Cache : 4x 256kB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 8-way, 64 byte line size, 2 threads sharing
L3 Cache : 6MB, ECC, Synchronous, ATC, 12-way, Exclusive, 64 byte line size, 16 threads sharing

Computer
Mainboard : Toshiba NWQAA
BIOS : Toshiba 1.80 09/14/10
Bus(es) : PCI PCIe IMB USB i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : Yes
Total Memory : 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM

Chipset
Model : Intel Core (Clarksfield/Lynnfield) DMI
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 2.4GHz (4.79GHz)

Chipset
Model : Intel Core Mobile (Clarksfield) UnCore
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 2.13GHz (4.26GHz)
Total Memory : 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM
Channels : 2
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 532MHz (1GHz)

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Samsung M471B5673FH0-CF8 2GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-8500S DDR3-1066 (7-7-7-20 4-27-8-4)
Memory Module : Samsung M471B5673FH0-CF8 2GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-8500S DDR3-1066 (7-7-7-20 4-27-8-4)

Video System
Video Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 310M (16 SM4.1 1.47GHz, 512MB DDR3 1.58GHz 128-bit, PCIe 2.00 x16)

Graphics Processor
Compute Shader Processor : NVIDIA GeForce 310M (16SP 1.47GHz, 512MB DDR3 1.58GHz 128-bit)

Storage Devices
TOSHIBA MK6465GSX (640.1GB, SATA300, 2.5", 5400rpm, 8MB Cache) : 596GB (C:)
SAMSUNG HN-M500MBB (500.1GB, SATA300, 2.5", 5400rpm, 8MB Cache) : 466GB (E:)
Hitachi HTS725050A9A364 (500.1GB, USB2/SATA300, 2.5", 7200rpm, 15MB Cache) : 466GB (F:)
Optiarc DVD RW AD-7703S (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (D:)

Logical Storage Devices
New Volume (E:) : 466GB (NTFS) @ SAMSUNG HN-M500MBB (500.1GB, SATA300, 2.5", 5400rpm, 8MB Cache)
LaCie (F:) : 466GB (NTFS) @ Hitachi HTS725050A9A364 (500.1GB, USB2/SATA300, 2.5", 7200rpm, 15MB Cache)
TI106042W0A (C:) : 583GB (NTFS) @ TOSHIBA MK6465GSX (640.1GB, SATA300, 2.5", 5400rpm, 8MB Cache)
System : 1GB (NTFS)
Hard Disk (Q:) : N/A
Optical Drive (D:) : N/A @ Optiarc DVD RW AD-7703S (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : Toshiba HM55 LPC Interface Controller
Audio Device : Toshiba P55/PM55/3400 High Definition Audio
Audio Codec : Realtek Semi High Definition Audio
Audio Device : Toshiba High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Codec : nVidia 000Bh
Audio Codec : nVidia 000Bh
Audio Codec : nVidia 000Bh
Disk Controller : Toshiba P55/PM55/3400 4 port SATA AHCI Controller
USB Controller 1 : Toshiba P55/PM55/3400 USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
USB Controller 2 : Toshiba P55/PM55/3400 USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : Intel ICH SMBus

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer (600x600, Colour)
Printer : HP Deskjet F4100 series (600x600, Parallel, Colour)
Printer : HP Deskjet F4100 series (1200x1200, USB, Colour)
Fax : Microsoft Shared Fax Driver (200x200)
Printer : Canon Inkjet SELPHY DS700 (600x600, Parallel, Colour)
Printer : Canon Inkjet iP2600 series (600x600, USB, Colour)
Printer : Canon Inkjet iP2600 series (600x600, Parallel, Colour)

Network Services
Network Adapter : Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller (Ethernet, 100Mbps)
Network Adapter : Intel(R) Centrino(R) WiMAX 6250 (Ethernet)
Wireless Adapter : Intel(R) Centrino(R) Advanced-N 6250 AGN

Power Management
Battery No 1 : Toshiba Smart Battery Lithium-Ion 0.01Wh/3.33Ah

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

Windows Experience Index
Current System : 4.8

[Josh Franklin]

I also have this same problem while I'm trying to record. This is preventing me from getting any work done. Any tips will be appreciated. I'm not super computer savvy, so be patient with me! haha

[Josh Franklin]

Is there any other information I can provide that might help? I want to get back to work on my rig! Everything was fine until I switched laptops and operating systems. I'm using a Toshiba Satellite A665 with Windows 7...

-Josh

[dubpimpjuice]

I may have this wrong, but is drive f your audio drive? If so, is it connected via USB? That could be a problem.. Also it looks like your system drive (c) is running at 5400rpm...
Make sure to disable onboard audio etc..

[albee1952]

With Windows 7, USB2 is actually preferred now(due to 7 having better USB drivers). 5400 rpm is too slow for recording, but should not be an issue as a system drive(with a proper recording drive). As asked, which drive are your sessions on? Is this a laptop? Have you disabled wifi and networking when running PT? Have you done all the system tweaks? What interface and what exact version of PT?

[Josh Franklin]

The drive I'm saving my sessions on is actually E: and it is connected via eSATA.

How would I go about disabling "onboard audio"?

Yes, my computer is a Toshiba Satellite A665 laptop. I have tried disabling wifi and networking. I'm not certain what all "system tweaks" you're referring to. I am using Mbox2 with Pro Tools 8.0.3 LE.

I really appreciate you guys trying to help! Please forgive my minimal knowledge! Thank you!

[zedhed]

Originally Posted by Josh Franklin

How would I go about disabling "onboard audio"?

Windows>Control Panel>Device Manager>Sound, Video and Game Controllers>Double click each controller (other than anything showing up as Mbox)one at a time, Driver Tab>Disable. Try this but I'd be surprised if it makes any difference. If it doesn't just re-enable them if you want.

Originally Posted by Josh Franklin

I'm not certain what all "system tweaks" you're referring to.

http://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/self...p?DocId=349411

Originally Posted by Josh Franklin

I am using Mbox2 with Pro Tools 8.0.3 LE.

I would be inclined to update (free) to v8.05;
http://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/self...p?DocId=393667

This is an updater only so do not uninstall current version, just run updater.

Then:

Make sure you have latest Mbox driver;
http://avid.custkb.com/avid/app/self...3=1450&Hilite=

Install driver with Mbox turned off then reboot with it switched on.

Then:

In pro Tools>Setup>Hardware>Make sure mbox clock source is set to 'internal'

Then:

Report back on whether or not that has made any difference

[Bob L]

Originally Posted by Josh Franklin

The drive I'm saving my sessions on is actually E: and it is connected via eSATA.

Your E: drive is reported as a 5400 rpm drive with 8 mb cache. You need a 7200 rpm drive, preferably with at least 16 mb cache. Avoid "green" drives for audio like the plague.

Bob

[Josh Franklin]

@zedhed: I appreciate your tips! I did everything that you suggested and I'm still having the same exact problem. Is there anything else I can try? I'm desperate for a solution! This is a huge inconvenience and everything was working just fine until I switched over to this new laptop with Windows 7! Thank you again!

@Bob: I had the same setup (5400 rpm drive with 8 mb cache) when I had my previous system and I never had a single issue with anything. This is the first problem I've encountered. And the problem is a HUGE one!

Again, I sincerely appreciate any further help!

-Josh

[EGS]

Originally Posted by Josh Franklin

...I had the same setup (5400 rpm drive with 8 mb cache) when I had my previous system and I never had a single issue with anything...

You may have been lucky!!! Definately get a 7200 RPM drive and also do ALL Avid recommended system tweaks. Make sure ALL your plugs are up to date. Seems like a lot of fussing around, but once you do ALL these things, you will be good to go.