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Resolved Question

Created wave file skips

Feb 9, 2013 8:48AM PST

I have a pc with XPPro, service pack 3, with 2.5 GB of memory. Each time I create an audio wave file from an LP and play it back, I find that it skips. The LP does not skip as I monitor the recording as it's playing.

I've used two different wave editor programs leaving me with the same results. I've defragged my hard drive and ran Memtest to confirm that my memory is fine. I've also used three different versions of the same wave editor program and also used the Real Time Recorder feature of that same wave editor program. Everything I've tried results in the same skipping wave file. I've had plenty of experience using the one wave editor program in the past on this same machine and it at one time worked well with no problems.

At this point, all I can think of is that there must be another application on the computer that is interfering with the wave editor program.

Has anyone experienced this problem? If so, what is the solution? Any feedback, solutions, or suggestions would be much appreciated!

Discussion is locked

ldr44 has chosen the best answer to their question. View answer

Best Answer

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Since this is XP, how did you handle/fix the XP DMA issue?
Feb 10, 2013 4:18AM PST
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Created wave file skips
Feb 14, 2013 1:51PM PST

To R. Proffitt,

Thanks for the suggestion and link! I checked my BIOS for DMA settings. I found nothing about the DMA. Is it called something other than DMA?

I also wanted to check to see if automatic device recognition was enabled. Again, I was unable to locate a reference to it in the BIOS.

I plan to check the IDE cable, the chip set , controller driver for updates, and the event log for repeated ATAPI errors.

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The link I supplied.
Feb 15, 2013 11:09PM PST

Supplied a procedure. Those that go looking will often come back with a lot of questions. My question is why not follow the noted procedure until you have time for more research?
Bob

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Created wave file skips
Feb 18, 2013 7:04AM PST

You're right! I should have started with the quick solution.

I tried the browser quick solution and found that I was unable to execute the resetdma.vbs file. I then went into the registry to manually reset the DMA. I then rebooted and success! The PIO was reset to DMA.

I was then able to successfully record a complete wave file minus any skipping!

Many thanks for the procedure, I really appreciated your help.

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Glad to hear it.
Feb 20, 2013 1:16AM PST

I know it's unacceptable to some to apply the quick or usual fix first before we dive into a deep technical discussion but this is one of those issues that keeps coming back.

I'm sure many wished Microsoft would fix this but at over a decade, we don't hold out much hope.
Bob

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Created wave file skips
Feb 27, 2013 5:59AM PST

I was mistaken! After closely listening to my finished wave file, I noticed that it is still skipping. The skips are, for the most part, subtle - but they're still there.

There has been a vast improvement since I corrected the DMA problem, as my computer runs much faster. But this problem still exists and I'm, at this point, very frustrated as to what to try next.

Sorry I was premature in thinking the problem was solved!

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Then you need to get off the IDE based PC.
Mar 1, 2013 2:14AM PST

As you know, it's a problem. We can't fix this one it seems.

You can try an old tech trick and power off, unplug all IDE things except the HDD, then boot up and reset the DMA for a last test.

If you have a sound card, another old tech trick is to move it to another slot.
Bob

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Answer
Have you used Task Manager to end running processes?
Feb 9, 2013 9:00AM PST

And are the skips always in the same place?

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Created wave file skips
Feb 14, 2013 1:38PM PST

To Ed Mead,

Thanks for your response. No, the skips are mostly noticeable toward the end of side 2 of the lp as far as I can tell. They then become more frequent. The total length of both sides of the lp is approximately 40 minutes and the recorded wave file is closer to 30.

I've tried closing the major programs that run at start up resulting with the same problem. I'm not aware of a method of closing all but the essential programs needed.

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Could you give us
Feb 28, 2013 9:23PM PST

step by step of how you're converting your lp's? Your turntable, how it's hooked up to your computer, soundcard, software, so on. Maybe a clue will be found.