Error message "hardware in use by another application"

[TOM@METRO]

And again, as stated earlier, be sure you have turned off all system sounds if they are using the same hardware that you are using for Pro Tools.

[Naom-Harv]

Thanks for the advice folks. I don't think I can afford to upgrade my gear at the moment (at least not until I try out this free version of Pro Tools to see if I can learn it well enough - maybe if it becomes a big part of life I'll upgrade my wee studio! So hopefully I should be able to cope with the setup I have, at least long enough to get started. Will post system info in my next post below.

[Naom-Harv]

Info as required on 'Help us help you' page:

Computer Model: HP Pavilion 17-G001NA M3Z14EA
Processor: i3-5010U
Processor Speed: 2.10 GHz
OS Version: Windows 8.1
Avid Hardware: n/a
Pro Tools Version: First 2018.1
Amount of memory installed: 8 GB RAM
Attached peripherals: Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 - USB device. Connected to 'SS' USB port
Number & type of drives installed: None (none additional to laptop's own drives)

[Naom-Harv]

SiSoftware Sandra

ID
Host Name : Studiolaptop
Workgroup : WORKGROUP

Computer
Model : HP Pavilion Notebook 103C_5335KV G=N L=CON B=HP S=PAV X=Null
Serial Number : 5CD52*****
Chassis : HP Notebook
Mainboard : HP 8094
Serial Number : PFEAN02*******
BIOS : Insyde F.21 06/05/2015
Intel vPro : 10.0.30.1060
Total Memory : 8GB DDR3 SO-DIMM

Processors
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-5010U CPU @ 2.10GHz (2C 4T 2.1GHz, 2.1GHz IMC, 2x 256kB L2, 3MB L3)
Socket/Slot : FC BGA1168

Chipset
Memory Controller : HP Core (Broadwell-ULV) Host Bridge 100MHz, 8GB DDR3 SO-DIMM 1.6GHz 64-bit, Integrated Graphics

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Micron 16KTF1G64HZ-1G6E1 8GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-12800SO DDR3-1600 (11-11-11-29 5-40-13-6)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : SDC Generic PnP Monitor (1600x1200, 17.1")
Video Adapter : Intel(R) HD Graphics 5500 (24CU 192SP SM5.1 900MHz, 768kB L2, 3GB DDR3 1.6GHz 64-bit, Integrated Graphics)

Graphics Processor
OpenCL : Intel(R) HD Graphics 5500 (192SP 24C 900MHz, 2MB L2, 3GB DDR3 1.6GHz 64-bit, Integrated Graphics)
D3D 11 : Intel(R) HD Graphics 5500 (192SP 24C 900MHz, 768kB L2, 3.8GB DDR3 1.6GHz 64-bit, Integrated Graphics)
OpenGL : Intel(R) HD Graphics 5500 (192SP 24C 900MHz, 768kB L2, 128MB DDR3 1.6GHz 64-bit, Integrated Graphics)

Storage Devices
Seagate ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB (1TB, SATA600, 2.5", 5400rpm, 16MB Cache) : 932GB (C:) (D:)
hp DVDRW SU208GB (573.5MB, SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW) : 547MB (E:)

Logical Storage Devices
Windows (C:) : 908GB (NTFS, 4kB) @ Seagate ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB (1TB, SATA600, 2.5", 5400rpm, 16MB Cache)
RECOVERY (D:) : 23GB (NTFS, 4kB) @ Seagate ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB (1TB, SATA600, 2.5", 5400rpm, 16MB Cache)
WINRE : 650MB (NTFS, 4kB) @ Seagate ST1000LM024 HN-M101MBB (1TB, SATA600, 2.5", 5400rpm, 16MB Cache)
Audio CD (E:) : N/A (CDFS, 2kB, Read-Only) @ hp DVDRW SU208GB (573.5MB, SATA150, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller #1 : HP Wildcat Point-LP LPC Controller
Audio Device : HP Core (Broadwell) Audio Controller
Audio Codec : Intel 2808
Audio Device : HP Wildcat Point-LP High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Codec : Realtek Semi 0290
Disk Controller : HP Wildcat Point-LP SATA Controller [AHCI Mode]
USB Controller #1 : HP Wildcat Point-LP USB xHCI Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller #1 : Intel ICH SMBus

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer v4 (600x600, Colour)
Printer : HP ePrint (600x600, Parallel, Colour)
Printer : Foxit PhantomPDF Printer Driver (2400x2400, Colour)
Fax : Microsoft Shared Fax Driver (200x200)

Network Services
Network Adapter : Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller (Ethernet)
Network Adapter : Bluetooth Device (Personal Area Network) (Ethernet)
Wireless Adapter : Broadcom BCM43142 802.11 bgn Wi-Fi M.2 Adapter (802.11n (HT), AES-CCMP, 72Mbps)

Power Management
Battery #1 : Hewlett-Packard Primary 37.41Wh/2.24Ah

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 8.1 Personal 6.3.9600
Platform Compliance : x64

Performance Enhancing Tips
Warning 2513 : TPM not detected. Some security features are unavailable.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

[64GTOBOY]

I would recommend you only do some minor experimenting with this hard drive. Even with the First software rather than full versions audio streaming at 16 bit 44.1 will tear up that drive very quickly-its read/write cant cope. A small SSD is best but you can get away using a faster spinner hard drive. As for the hardware in use message: the Pro Tools Avid Audio Engine(AAE) requires control of whatever audio I/O it has designated for use, usually its going to look for an ASIO or Avid hardware first then the windows sound last. If you want it to use the 2i2 you need to go into the sound control panel and set the windows sound (usually realtek audio) as the default sound output, not repeat not the focusrite. 2i2 should be enabled in recording and output tabs but not default. In the advanced options tab for either I/O you plan on using(2i2 or WASAPI) you can set the sample rate etc. for your use 16 or 24 bit 44.1 k is suggested. Also to use the 2i2 PT needs to have an asio driver to work through , this is available on the focusrite website or you can use ASIO4ALL. Note: PT can also use the windows built in audio as an I/O by holding down the "N" key while starting PT and choosing "WASAPI" as output. This is also the best way to start up when you haven't set your system up yet.

[amagras]

This will probably help
https://youtu.be/d2a3kTqM0y8
There's a lot of good advice for Windows users in this YouTube channel and you can ask @benoni directly as he's a moderator here