Re speedstep, start a new thread on the Software board (don't just paste a copy again -- that really irks the forum oldtimers for some reason).

 

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About IRQ assignments, there had been a lot of speculation in the past that this was a big problem, especially with M-audio and other firewire products, but it turned out to be a red herring because it was actually Dell's firewire hardware that was incompatible. I have never heard of an audio problem in these laptops where IRQ assignments was the culprit and I doubt that it is with your usb interface, but if you want to try to change them here is a method that might or might not work on your model.

 

 

 

To change your IRQ assignments try to change the Computer button in Device Manager from ACPI-PC to normal PC.

In Device Manager, expand "Computer" and right click the expanded entry. Select Update Driver, then choose "Install from a list or Specific Location (Advanced)", click Next. Select "Don't Search, I will choose the driver to install.", click Next. If Standard PC is shown in the list, choose it, otherwise untick "show compatible hardware", then select Standard PC from the list. Click Next.

If this works, then after reboot XP will find some new Hardware and you can configure your IRQ assignments manually on some models. On some doing this just automatically scrambles the assignments. However changing from ACPI is not advised as the computer's  ACPI-compliant hardware may no longer function correctly.

 

Jim

 

Well I successfully switched to Standard PC. Now I'm trying to figure how to change the IRQs. I can see where the assignment is listed for each device both as a list running msinfo32, and in the hardware's properties under the resources tab.

 

The tech support for M-Audio suggested that since my wireless card and my USB controllers are on the same IRQ this could be causing switching errors. Thus, I want to change my wireless car, which is on IRQ 10, to another. Maybe you could also suggest how to choose a new IRQ... that is, if I can figure out how to change it?

 

Thanks!

Check the properties of Standard PC and see if changing the setting for IRQ steering make a difference when you go to resources. As I said it might not be possible for you to manually reassign IRQ's.

 

To test the tech's theory I would remove the wireless card and see if the blip ceases.

 

Jim

It is pre-set for IRQ steering. What do you mean by 'when you go to resources?'

 

Do I need to take off the IRQ steering to be able to modify the IRQs? And if so, where would I go to do that?

Listen, I'd still be interested in your help figuring how I might have to modify IRQs in the future (if it's possible). If you could let me know that would be great.

 

Otherwise... YOU'RE A GENIUS!!  Thanks so much for your help> I switched to Standard PC yesterday but didn't actually give it a try until today and... TADA! No blips!

 

I'm still a little fuzzy as to why it worked however.  Could you enlighten me? I believe Standard PC mode disables speedstep? Is that what happened?

Man, I feel like an idiot. It's a good thing I didn't click the 'SOLVED!' button yet! Counting chickens before they hatch :P

The clicking stopped after I switched to standard PC. But now I have a different problem :P

The recording gives out after about 10 seconds when I'm using my mic, something it didn't do when the clicking was happening (i.e. the mic is in good order).

Sometimes theres a muffled blip as if it's turning on and then again when it turns back on. It seems to be random but I'm almost positive it's a power issue with the power controllers going to the interface.

It's a condenser mic and i do have phantom power turned on. What can I try?

I don't have much in the way of answers ... this is an arcane topic for me and pretty much all I know I've already covered.

 

What do you mean by 'when you go to resources?'

 

 I wondered if unchecking "Use IRQ steeering" in Standard PC properties would unfreeze the "Use Automatic Setting" checkbox in the Sigmatel driver properties resources tab. Perhaps yours doesn't have those checkboxes.

 

Do I need to take off the IRQ steering to be able to modify the IRQs? And if so, where would I go to do that?

 

 Same answer as above. I could try it out on my computer but didn't really want to risk it because at the moment I am not fully backed up.

 

I believe Standard PC mode disables speedstep?

I know next to nothing about speedstep; that's why I suggesed you ask about it on the Software board. The Wikipedia article about it seems to tell how to turn it off.

 Is that what happened?

Maybe, or as I said on some models doing this automatically scrambles the IRQ assignments.

It's a condenser mic and i do have phantom power turned on.

I didn't realize that the device draws 48 volts from the usb port to power the mic. Have you tried a different usb port? On some models they don't all have the same power. Have you tried an unpowered dynamic mic?

 

Jim

Thanks for your attentiveness! The problem with the mic turn off seems unreliable so I have to figure out when and when it is not happening. At least it's not happening some of the time :)

 

The interface has its own AC adapter so I don't think it's the actual mic suffering from power issues but perhaps the USB port like you said. I'm gunna put my head to it and see what I can do. The last problem took me a month and a half before I thought it necesary to post on here but I figured since this post was already going I'd tack on this new question. Anyway, thanks again! I'll hit the resolved button real soon... just wanna get it working clear before I close the case... squeeky clean, ya know.

Thank you so much for your help jimco!

 

Turns out the little mic problem is actually a fault of the equipment. You've been worlds of help!