MBox buffering problem - please help!!!

[guitthefunk]

I'm running Pro Tools LE (MBox) with Windows XP and have recently been getting the following message during playback (which stops playback): "Audio processing is conflicting with other CPU tasks. If this occurs often, try reducing the "H/W Buffer Size" in the Playback Engine panel (-9129)." If I reduce this value, it still stops the playback and gives me a similar message, only it says to increase the "H/W Buffer Size," as if there's no ideal value for it. I've run the program successfully for about 4 months without this problem - could it have anything to do with the fact that my hard drive is now slightly above half its capacity? Thanks in advance for your help.

[Cliffy_Boy]

I think so. This just started happening to me - I use the system drive which is now at 90% full. The swap files get screwed up and the drive has a lot of looking to do. I just ordered a new FW drive and more RAM

[gYs]

guitthefunk, just wondering....did you update to 6.1 / 6.1.1 recently?

[guitthefunk]

No - I'm using 5.3.3 Do I need to upgrade?

[gYs]

No - I'm using 5.3.3 Do I need to upgrade?

No, I don't think so, at least not in order to solve this problem!

The reason why I asked the question is because there is another discussion going on on this forum about the problems with BTD. Sometimes the same message appears on my system, but then when I am bouncing to disk. If you recently updated to version 6.1 or 6.1.1 it could be the same problem.

But if your HD is slightly over half it's capacity I don't think that should be a problem actually. You could try to delete/backup some projects to clear up some space on your HD. Then defragment and try again. Who knows it helps

[guitthefunk]

Thanks for the advice - that's going to be a major pain in the arse, but hopefully it'll help.

[gYs]

Yeah....can imagine that...
I also hope it helps to fix your problem.

Please keep us informed!

[Cliffy_Boy]

Are you suddenly running other apps in PY? Like Kontakt? I think if there are other programs working within PT, the 2 could fight for priority. So by reducing HW buffer it gives priority to PT. Just a guess but I do not get that error when I unload Kontakt.

[reynep]

just out of interest - are you recording to your system drive? ie do you only have 1 hard drive? Digi specify that you should have a dedicated audio hard drive. Also, defragging and maintaining your hard drive should NOT be considered a PITA. It is necessary. You aren't just writing emails and Word Docs - serious amounts of data are being dealt with here.