Aardvark & XP - Please Check

[Aardvark Audio]

We've found some customers have a wrong setting in XP that will cause a lot of weird problems (slow boot times, slow mouse, Media Player patch not working, random crashes, etc).

In Windows XP go to:
ControlPanel->System->Advanced->PerformanceSettings->Advanced. Then make sure BOTH the Processor Scheduling & Memory Usage are set to PROGRAMS.

Let us know if it helps anyone.

Erik

[joemix]

This definitely cleaned up the Windows Media Player problem I was having. Now the mouse doesn't hang when I try to play a track, and the delay time is better (3 seconds), not quite as fast as my other cards but acceptable.

That said, the mouse still hangs during boot (this is caused by the CPU bottoming out). Also, the enabled driver still results in the computer taking a %20 performance hit. compare your memory benchmarks with the Aark driver enabled/disabled.

System specs:

GigaByte 8IHXP mb, F7 BIOS
PIV 2.26b 533 CPU
512mb PC 1066 Non-ECC RDRAM
Segate barracuda IV 80gig HDD
DP Q10


Thanks for researching this Erik!



[This message has been edited by joemix (edited 10-29-2002).]

[ALBERTPIKE]

At least one "tweak" article found in this forum directs you to set processor scheduling to "background" instead of "programs." So that's what I did. I wonder how many other "tweaks" can be counterproductive? More specific info from manufacturers on configuring for audio would be appreciated. Thanks for the post!

[Mr. Moon]

Joemix:

Question for you: Are you using a USB mouse or standard PS/2 mouse?

I had some of the same glitches you are reporting that were caused by the MicroSoft USB mouse I had installed on my system.

I hope this helps.

Erik: Thanks for the info! All the WinXP tweak guides I've read also report to set the processor scheduling to "background,"
...it figures.

-Mr. M

[dannyc]

I never had any problems with my Q10 in XP, but I went and checked this setting anyway and it seems my computer came with it already set to PROGRAMS.

[joemix]

Originally posted by ALBERTPIKE:
At least one "tweak" article found in this forum directs you to set processor scheduling to "background" instead of "programs." So that's what I did. I wonder how many other "tweaks" can be counterproductive? More specific info from manufacturers on configuring for audio would be appreciated. Thanks for the post!

The Cubase SX manual also recommends setting processor scheduling to background services for best performance, which is why I had it there.

[joemix]

Mr. Moon, I'm using PS/2 mouse and keyboard.

[joemix]

Hey Erik, take a look at these memory benchmarks with the Aark driver enabled/disabled - http://joemix.tripod.com Can you explain the performance loss? Also, why is it that when I restart the Aardvark from the Services Manager the CPU maxes out for 30 seconds?

I have only the essentials enabled in the BIOS, only 1 PCI card installed, and a single usb device (which I have previously removed). Thanks!

[This message has been edited by joemix (edited 10-31-2002).]

[Rv-Sound]

The thing is, steinberg recomends the background switch because ASIO is a background service itself, or so I read somewhere. Turning the processor scheduling to background allows lower latencies in ASIO.
However, I've never heard of turning background for memory usage.

I think this is still an issue, because If I remember correctly, even RME reccomends doing this with their cards.

What about win2k anyway...does this apply also?

[apropos of nothing]

I'd kind of imagine so, since XP and 2k have very similar kernels.

Haven't checked for performance improvement since though since my studio is in pieces, pending remodelling.

-Jj
http://www.dogma.org/jjvsworld

[Robertibi1]

Am I the only one that didn't know this?

***NOTICE***

"PCI buss efficiency" is in the Q10 control panel. Click on Advanced, and, where there would be a 4th tab (there should be 3 displayed), double-right-click in the blank space as if there is a tab there. You may need to alternate right-right-left-right also. That should pop up a very detailed PCI statistics window. This simply reflects the consistency of the data going from the CPU to the Aardvark card. On an Intel chipset, it should run about 98% while idle, and 90-95% when in use. If it is below 50%, it will be flaky or not work at all, and there is some other problem in the system.

This gives some interesting info. I'm still trying to get my Q10 running properly on my 'kick-ass' DAW.

[BlueWest]

I tried changing the performance settings, as suggested by Aardvark Audio, and it made absolutely no difference: the system still hangs intermittently during bootup, the mouse is still sluggish during bootup, and Media Player still takes forever to initiate a track.

[Rv-Sound]

That trick is actually intentional. The PCI efficency reading was included on older drivers but people started to interpret it wrong so aardvark made it "secret". http://www.audioforums.com/forums/wink.gif I got that tip from Bob.

[joemix]

Originally posted by Robertibi1:
Am I the only one that didn't know this?

***NOTICE***

"PCI buss efficiency" is in the Q10 control panel. Click on Advanced, and, where there would be a 4th tab (there should be 3 displayed), double-right-click in the blank space as if there is a tab there. You may need to alternate right-right-left-right also. That should pop up a very detailed PCI statistics window. This simply reflects the consistency of the data going from the CPU to the Aardvark card. On an Intel chipset, it should run about 98% while idle, and 90-95% when in use. If it is below 50%, it will be flaky or not work at all, and there is some other problem in the system.

This gives some interesting info. I'm still trying to get my Q10 running properly on my 'kick-ass' DAW.

I guess they don't want you to know that your PCI buss is only %70 efficient with their driver enabled (at least in my case). I remember when it was %98 efficient, before they started with the AWDM and 96kHz disabled-DSP driver model.

[Robertibi1]

I think you are correct. I only get 72% efficiency no matter my configuration, ACPI or Standard Pc, Performance settings, etc.

[1eyedbitch]

my case exactly, 72% with DP24/96 on:
winXP
AMD1900
ASUS A7N266
512 DDR

it's new, so i didn't ever get the chance to check it with the old drivers

[Rv-Sound]

Interesting, I get 99% with my tweaked via kt133a Iwill mobo.

[joemix]

Robertibi1,

I just read your Q10 post over at the Cubase forums. I'm sorry to say that there is nothing you can do with the current driver to fix your problem (including disabling RAID and on-board sound, or anything for that matter, in the BIOS).

Here is a list of motherboards I have tried that have the exact same problem you described(control panel dropouts, system dumps/swap file instantiation, poor benchmarks):

Gigabyte 8IHXP - Intel i850e/RDRAM (*RAID*)
Gigabyte 8IHXP2 - Intel i850e/RDRAM (*RAID*)
Gigabyte 7VRXP - AMD KT333 VIA/DDR (*RAID*)
Abit TH7II - Intel i850/RDRAM (*RAID*)

Add the P4B533-E (*RAID*) you're using to the list.

Moral of the story is if you have a more recent MB with RAID, or RDRAM, you just might be SOL. ACPI - APIC - PIC - Standard PC, or not!

Of course, there is absolutely NO problem according to Aardvark, and all of these mainboards are %100 compatable.



[This message has been edited by joemix (edited 11-03-2002).]

[joemix]

Where can I get that v7.5 Q10 beta driver?

[Robertibi1]

Yea, another weekend with no positive results. I removed the SBLive and even did a mobo jumper to 'physically' disable the RAID controller and no luck. Tried XP ACPI and could not get the Aardvark to sync with Cubase. Went to Standard PC mode and I'm right back to where I was before. The performance of the Q10 is not there. My PCI buss effeciency is still at 72% at idle. It drops to around 68% in Cubase SX. I am at a lose at this point.

The beta driver is actually 7.03 and there was no performance enhancements in the new driver. I will be happy to email this zip file to any interested people.

[joemix]

Do you still get control panel dropouts with the new driver? I don't think my email account supports over 4 meg attachments unfortunately.

[apropos of nothing]

RobertB,
Have you tried physically moving y'r PCI card?

-Jj
http://www.dogma.org/jjvsworld

[Robertibi1]

apropos -

Not sure I understand?? I uninstalled the SB drivers, shut down and then physically removed the SB card. The only PCI card is the Q10 in slot 5, the video card is on the AGP slot.

I also disabled the RAID controller via the mobo jumper. I'm still not getting the performance I think I should.

I even did a clean install with only the Q10 card and no RAID in WinXP ACPI mode but ended up back in Standard PC mode and the same performance problems.

[joemix]

You'll get the same results with Win 2000, in case you were thinking about trying it. Don't waste your time. Not sure about 98, though Cubase SX wont run on it anyway.

I'm fairly convinced it's the onboard RAID controller.

[apropos of nothing]

I meant moving the PCI card to different PCI slots. There are certain PCI slots my Aardvark won't work in, certain ones it works poorly in, and the one I have it in now, while its still not great, it works better than any of the others.

I agree that its conflicting with y'r raid controller. I'd still say trying it in different PCI slots is worth a shot. Its working (okay) for me. (I boot off a motherboard based highpoint controller.)

-Jj
http://www.dogma.org/jjvsworld

[Robertibi1]

I have moved the Q10 around but not lately. I found that slot 5 had no IRQ sharing, 'naturally'. I.e. I didn't have to force any IRQ change for the slot the Q10 was in to avoid conflicts. Does that make sense? Any other slot would require me to force an IRQ number in the BIOS to avoid other conflicts. But hey, I can certainly move it around since I'm still not getting the performance. I've heard to avoid slot 1 because of the AGP video card and avoid slot 6 for some reason I can't think of right now.

I'll keep you posted and thanks,
Robert

[apropos of nothing]

If you have tried the old "Hmm, maybe this PCI card slot works better" trick, then its pr'y not worth repeating. Thought I'd mention it though.

Hopefully the upcoming driver won't suck so much.

-Jj
http://www.dogma.org/jjvsworld

[oops]

Problem solved... Nforce2 a7n8x deluxe and new Aardvark 7.04 drivers.

I've been using a 2496 for about 3 yrs now. I'm still running win98se because that's what works for me right now. I've been looking at what you guys are trying to do to get a bit more effiency out of your cards. If your using Via and only Via chipsets.Do a search on Google for George Breese. He's written a couple of drivers for via chipsets that lower pci latency to 0 and another that sets the interleave to where it should be for better all around throughput. These drivers are beta on site, but have had no problems with them on my machine. They brought the pci throughput on my machine(according to the meter in my aardvark mixer module) up from 78% to 98% at rest. Hope this helps.
I've had different problems. Can't record in xp at 96khz without background noise. But I'll stick with this card (2496X2) until a better driver comes out. I have an Nforce2 and xp2600+ 333fsb with pc3200 coming in a couple of days. Hopefully a new driver from aardvark soon that works a bit better in XP.
IMHO Take care
Wayne Dupuis http://www.rightwingproductions.com

[This message has been edited by oops (edited 02-10-2003).]