Not sure exactly what is causing the issue, but portcls.sys is associated with audio devices. You can try downloading the sound card drivers for your model from Dell's site. Afterwards open up Device Manager by clicking on "Start"; and then "Run", and type in "devmgmt.msc"; (without the quotes). Device Manager will open and see if you have any conflicts with your devices (usually shown with an exclamation point) Also check to see if your BIOS is outdated. Though if it is and you choose to update it, make sure you use the safer method of flashing the BIOS (through floppy/CD/USB key)

Message Edited by MennoX on 03-02-2007 05:38 PM

Thanks MennoX, updating the audio driver fixed the problem, no more blue screens. But now i have new problems. My computer is so slow now and i cant fiqure out why. I did a dell pc checkup and it recommended me to update my intel/pro wireless card and so i did but when i go to device manager and look at the driver details it still says that im using the old(previous) driver version, including my sigmatel audio driver. And now i cant find my intel pro wireless icon that used to startup at boot in the taskbar and dont knoq how to get it back. I think i might reinstall windows again. Again,thanks

Though this advice is unrelated to your PC slowdown, the details in device manager (when it comes to driver release dates) tends to be a few months behind its actual release date, so I wouldn't worry so much about that. You can bring back Intel Pro Wireless icon on the taskbar by going to Start ---> All Programs --->Intel ProSet Wireless ---> and then click on Intel ProSet Wireless. Once Intel's Wireless software opens up, click on Tools, and then Application Settings. Under Taskbar you'll see a checkbox for "Show Application Icon on the Taskbar"; check that box and then Apply/Close, and it should now appear on your taskbar. As for the slowdown, that could be caused by a variety of factors (many processes running at startup, for example). Is your slowdown constant? Or a few minutes after you boot up? One cause could be a virus. Have you tried performing a virus scan?

Did the Blue Screen of Death return during/after using Dell PC Checkup? If it did, that could be the source of the problem. I last used Dell PC Checkup about 18 months ago on my old laptop, and it messed up one of my registry entries when it "modified" one of my driver settings, and I've never used it since. I personally would suggest not using it further, because the "fixes" it does provide tend to be very general and not really in the user's preference.

Also its a good idea to not download driver updates unless you're having a problem with your current ones. Drivers can fix an issue for one person, while for another computer it could cause them. First, re-download and install the sound drivers. But DO NOT use Dell's Checkup, and see if you get blue screens during normal computer usage. If not, and you experience hissing sounds, post back here and we'll go through your Audio Properties settings step-by-step to see if we can correct that issue.

As for the slowdown, one factor (though probably not the only one) is that you have two anti-virus programs installed. Its generally a bad idea to do so, because it causes conflicts and issues in its own right (especially when both are conducting real-time scanning); you can see how this would devour CPU usage. I'm assuming you have a subscription for Trend Micro's PC-cillin (or a free trial), so I'd keep that one for now and uninstall AVG; you can always reinstall it later since its free.

After that, let's see if we can correct the Blue Screen problem, removal of the hissing, and then from there we'll take a look at your processes and see what could be causing problems.

Message Edited by MennoX on 03-03-2007 09:14 PM

Just to make sure you don't suffer from any more blue screens, try playing some music files and/or videos and movies, just to see if your audio card and drivers can handle the casual stress.

Alright, let's see if we can now fix the hissing sound. I think I know what's causing it. It may be because your device volume and speaker volume is not calibrated correctly. What I'm going to do now is go through a step-by-step process and have you replicate my own (stable) settings. To do so, followed by each step is a screenshot so you can set the settings sliders to their positions.

To begin, click on "Start", and then click on "Control Panel". Click "Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices", and then "Sounds and Audio Devices". Your Audio Properties screen will appear.

Step 1: Move your Device Volume slider approximate to where mine is. Doesn't have to be exact, but close enough. Then click on the "Advanced" button.

Step 1 Screenshot:



Step 2: The Volume Control panel will appear. Again, move the sliders approximate to where mine are. Then close that box.

Step 2 Screenshot:



Step 3: The "Sounds and Audio Properties" window should still be open. Go down to "Speaker Settings" and click on "Speaker Volume"

Step 3 Screenshot:



Step 4: In the new window that appears, move your sliders approximate to where mine are. Click the checkbox next to "Move all slider indicators at the same time" so one speaker isn't louder than the other if the sliders aren't aligned properly. Click "Apply" when done, then click "OK".

Step 4 Screenshot:



Step 5: You should be back at the "Sounds and Audio Properties" window. Under Speaker Settings, click on "Advanced".

Step 5 Screenshot:



Step 6: In the new window, set the Speaker Setup to "Laptop Stereo Speakers", click on "Apply", and then click on the "Performance" tab along the top of the window.

Step 6 Screenshot:



Step 7: Set the sliders to where mine are, and then click "Apply" and then "OK"

Step 7 Screenshot:



Finally, in the "Sounds and Audio Properties" window, click on "Apply" (if you're able to), and then "Ok". Hopefully after all this, the hissing will be gone. If not, post back here and there's one more thing we could try, and if that still doesn't correct your issue I would suggest posting your hissing issue in the Audio forum. There are members there that know the Inspiron audio like the back of their hand.

If this does manage to correct your hissing, and you haven't gotten any blue screens, we'll then proceed to sort out the slowdown you're suffering from.

Well there's one more thing we could try, after that I'm out of ideas.

First just want to make sure you never downloaded the Creative Labs Integrated Sound Blaster Audigy ADVANCED HD Audio driver listed under the audio driver page for your model. If you didn't order that software, those drivers aren't for you and could cause instability.

If you haven't, one thing we could try is to uninstall your current Sigmatel Audio driver, and then reinstall an older (and hopefully working) version.

First create a Windows XP System Restore point, in case something goes wrong/you delete the wrong driver, etc. Copy and paste the following link into your browser:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/getstarted/ballew_03may19.mspx

Scroll down to "Create a Restore Point Manually" and follow the directions.

After that's all done, go to "Start" ---> "Control Panel" ----> and then click "Add/Remove Programs"

Scroll down until you see "SigmaTel Audio" and click on it, and then click "Remove". It should take you to an uninstall screen, and after you're done uninstalling the SigmaTel Audio drivers it should ask you to restart. Even if it doesn't ask you, still do so.

After your system finishes loading Windows, Windows may detect "new hardware" and load its own generic sound driver. See if you can play some music with tabs/software opened and listen for any popping sound. It doesn't matter if you do, but it may help isolate the issue further. After that, download this older SigmaTel Audio driver from Dell's site (copy and paste the link into your browser):

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?c=us&cs=19&l=en&s=dhs&releaseid=R114075&SystemID=InspironI6400/E1505&os=WW1&osl=en&deviceid=8907&devlib=0&typecnt=1&vercnt=2&formatcnt=1&libid=3&fileid=149852

Install it (it may ask you to restart when done, and even if it does not, still do so). Hopefully the popping will be gone, and no blue screen issues arise. If it still fails to correct the problem and/or the Blue Screen of Death returns, I would suggest calling Dell if you're still under warranty and have them replace the audio card/speakers.

Message Edited by MennoX on 03-05-2007 06:08 PM