PT 9 crashes on launch!!

[robotboy]

I decided to upgrade to PT 9 a couple of months ago from 6.4, and it has been a total nightmare from day one. Ilok issues, computer problems, etc.

I returned my computer and now have a new one with the exact same specs. Got both of them on ebay. I have installed PT 9.06, and it was working ok in the beginning. I did a test with a vocal track. I added Dverb and then duplicated it 30 times. Also added a track with Mini Grand. All seemed well, although the system slowed down a couple of times. Then I installed Reason. It also seemed ok, so I added Amplitube. Then PT would freeze when I launched it. So I figured it was the Amplitube (RTAS version--is that correct?). I uninstalled it, still same problem. Then I uninstalled Reason. Still same problem. I can't do anything. PT opens, but then is frozen on the screen that asks about opening a session or template. Then it will not respond.

I have done the optimizations. I trashed prefs. This all happened with my other computer, which is why I returned it. I can't believe it's happening again with another unit.

I am at a complete loss. I have spend countless hours on this. Please help. here is the Sandra:

SiSoftware Sandra

ID
Host Name : NBC5478
Workgroup : WORKGROUP

Computer
Model : HP EliteBook 8540w 103C_5336AN
Serial Number : CND11*****
Chassis : HP Notebook
Mainboard : HP 1521
Serial Number : CND11*****
BIOS : HP 68CVD Ver. F.0E 11/25/2010
TPM - Trusted Platform Module : 1.02, IFX
Intel vPro : 6.00.40.1215
Total Memory : 8GB DDR3 SO-DIMM

Processors
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i7 CPU Q 820 @ 1.73GHz (4C 8T 1.73GHz/3GHz, 2GHz IMC, 4x 256kB L2, 8MB L3)
Socket/Slot : FC PGA988

Chipset
Memory Controller : HP Core (Clarksfield/Lynnfield) DMI 2x 2.4GHz (4.79GHz)
Memory Controller : Intel Core Mobile (Clarksfield) UnCore 2x 2.4GHz (4.79GHz), 8GB DDR3 SO-DIMM 1.33GHz 64-bit

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Hynix (Hyundai) HMT351S6BFR8C-H9 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-10700S DDR3-1334 (9-9-9-25 4-34-10-5)
Memory Module : Hynix (Hyundai) HMT351S6BFR8C-H9 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-10700S DDR3-1334 (9-9-9-25 4-34-10-5)
Memory Module : Samsung M471B5273CH0-CH9 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-10700S DDR3-1334 (9-9-9-25 4-34-10-5)
Memory Module : Samsung M471B5273CH0-CH9 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-10700S DDR3-1334 (9-9-9-25 4-34-10-5)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : LGD Generic PnP Monitor (1920x1080, LP156WF1-TLF3, 22.3")
Video Adapter : NVIDIA Quadro FX 880M (6CU 32SP SM4.1 1.22GHz, 1GB DDR3 1.58GHz 128-bit, PCIe 2.00 x16)

Graphics Processor
OpenCL GP Processor : NVIDIA Quadro FX 880M (48SP 6C 1.22GHz, 1GB DDR3 1.58GHz 128-bit)
Compute Shader Processor : NVIDIA Quadro FX 880M (32SP 6C 1.22GHz, 1GB DDR3 1.58GHz 128-bit)

Storage Devices
WDC WD3200BEKT-60PVMT0 (320.1GB, SATA300, 2.5", 7200rpm, 16MB Cache) : 298GB (C:)
hp DVD RW AD-7711H (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (D:)

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C:) : 298GB (NTFS) @ WDC WD3200BEKT-60PVMT0 (320.1GB, SATA300, 2.5", 7200rpm, 16MB Cache)
Optical Drive (D:) : N/A @ hp DVD RW AD-7711H (SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : HP QM57 LPC Interface Controller
LPC Legacy Controller 1 : SMSC FDC37B72x
Audio Device : HP P55/PM55/3400 High Definition Audio
Audio Codec : Integrated Device Tech 7603
Audio Codec : Lucent/Agere Systems (Was: AT&T MicroElectronics) HDA softmodem
Audio Device : HP High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Codec : nVidia 000A
Audio Codec : nVidia 000A
Audio Codec : nVidia 000A
Serial Port(s) : 2
Parallel Port(s) : 1
Disk Controller : HP P55/PM55/3400 6 port SATA AHCI Controller
Disk Controller : HP SD Bus Host Adapter
USB Controller 1 : HP P55/PM55/3400 USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
USB Controller 2 : HP P55/PM55/3400 USB2 Enhanced Host Controller
USB Controller 3 : HP Renesas Electronics USB 3.0 Host Controller
FireWire/1394 Controller 1 : HP R5C832 IEEE-1394 Controller
CardBus/PCMCIA Controller 1 : 12284 RL5c476 CardBus Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : Intel ICH SMBus

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer (600x600, Colour)
Fax : Microsoft Shared Fax Driver (200x200)

Network Services
Network Adapter : Intel(R) 82577LM Gigabit Network Connection (Ethernet)
Wireless Adapter : Intel(R) Centrino(R) Ultimate-N 6300 AGN (802.11g (ERP), TKIP, 48Mbps)

Power Management
Battery No 1 : Hewlett-Packard Primary 75.72Wh/4.97Ah

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

Windows Experience Index
Current System : 4.9

[robotboy]

Update: It seems to be related to the Scarlett. I can open a session if the buffer is set to 3 or higher, but then I get tons of latency, even if I adjust the playback engine in PT. It offers 1028, 512, and 256. Each time I change it, the sound stops. I have to restart PT, then it opens and the latency is still there. Why would that happen? How can I get rid of the latency? THanks

[Darryl Ramm]

Scarlett what? What exact version of the driver are you running?

You should search on DUC and the Focusright forums for other issues folks gave had with different versions of Focusright drivers.

[robotboy]

Focusrite Scarlett 2:2. I have done searches but haven't found my problem. The driver is 2.5.1, which is the only one I see on the Focusrite site

[robotboy]

Nevermind. I realized I was eligible for PT 10. No problems (for now). Thanks

[Darryl Ramm]

I remember your previous problems. Is this PC from the same source as the last one? Did you do a new clean install of Windows on it when you got it?

And the only thing that stands out in the Sandra report and DIMMs are not from the same vendor, even it they are the same spec it's a good idea to have exactly identical DIMMs.

[robotboy]

It is the same seller, but he assured me that he did a clean install. He is a highly rated eBayer who sells lots of computers. He also provided the windows discs as you had suggested in a previous post. Thanks Darryl

[Darryl Ramm]

Ah do you have any idea exactly what was installed?

Did he do a real clean Windows install ? And then exactly what drivers and other crapware from HP or direct from OEMs were installed? Or did he use a HP recovery disk (likely a bad idea)? Did he let Microsoft update run?

As I said before the first thing *you* need to do is wipe the computer. Install Windows (clean Windows media, not a screwed up recovery disk--I forget exactly what HP ships for recovery media, but many PC OEMs are pretty awful here), the bare minimum of needed drivers like the video driver and audio interface driver and Pro Tools and check it works.