i've had this problem ever since i had this pc.. whether it's WMP 10 or 11, the songs keep skipping.. well not always.. usually, the first time i play a song in WMP, it would play fine, then a little later, it would skip a second or two.. like as if it were fast forwarded by a second.. it always happens and i don't know why.. it's not really that bad since the rest of the song plays fine afterwards, but i'm hoping for a solution anyhow.. i'm sure that it's not the song that's problematic, coz i played the same song in Winamp and it worked just fine.. same with all the other songs i've tried..

Windows XP Pro
3.0ghz Intel P4 CPU
ASUS P4GL-MX Mobo (w/ built-in sound - SoundMAX)
1Gb DDR400 Memory

Are you doing anything after you start the music? Going online, using
the modem? That can cause jerky, skippy, music.

DavyWavy -

not at all.. it skips even if i'm not running any other program.. whether it's wma file or an mp3 file, it skips just the same.. even the songs that play on websites and require a windows media player plugin skip..

Have a look at the properties of your IDE channels in Device Manager - are your hardrives showing as using UDMA or PIO mode?

UDMA, sir

One thought - check the audio device in the Control Panel. I had a system that was set to use the modem instead of the audio chipset for playback. Setting it back to the chipset solved audio hesitations.

Try turning off hardware acceleration for your soundcard (Control Panel, Sound and Audio Devices, Audio Tab, Sound Playback Default Device "Advanced" button).

Are you running the latest driver?

i didn't completely disable hardware acceleration.. instead i set it at Basic acceleration and that seemed to solve the problem.. i'm still monitoring though.. thanks you very much although, i'd like to ask, what may be causing the problem? is it the built-in sound card?

Hard to say really - could be hardware, driver or software. Make sure your running the latest drivers for your OS. Are you running the latest DirectX? DxDiag may be able to give you some insight - Start, Run, dxdiag.exe. Check out the tabs for any problems in the sound department. If you game you'll probably want it sorted so you can use acceleration - does sound in games work? If you're not a gamer you'll probably get away without using acceleration without noticing it.

The fact that WinAmp plays the songs correctly indicates to me a software problem. Check for updated Codecs from Microsoft.

Easy solution is just to use WinAmp for playing Audio. I find it a superior player over WMP in any case. Sound quality is superior and equalizer is better.

Hmmm....one thing WMP 10 " might" be doing at the beginning of the songs is trying to "update" song information, particularily with MP3's( Song title, Artist, Licensing info etc ) . If you are running a firewall such as ZA, WMP10 requires full server status in ZA to do this. IE: 4 check marks.

If blocked by firewall, WMP might have a little " hiccup" and that is why you get the stumble only with certain songs ( incomplete song info ) and only at the beginning.

You can disable this feature in WMP\Tools\Options\Library tab. Under the Libary tab I have nothing checked.
Under WMP\Tools\Options\Player make sure that " Download Codecs Automatically" is checked and " Connect to the Internet" is checked.

See if that helps.

okay i did those things too.. i'll see if there's any progress.. thanks

>okay i did those things too.. i'll see if there's any
>progress.. thanks

PS: Additionally, I suspect that your NIC card may be sharing an IRQ with your sound card. That is why you get the "skip" when you use WMP 10. It's trying to connect to the Internet, using your NIC card. Resource usage goes up while it's trying to connect. You're getting IRQ calls from both the Audio card and the NIC card....and you get your little "skip".

You can check IRQ assingments various ways. Everest will show them, as will XP's Device Manager. In "ControlPanel\System\Hardware\Device Manager", simply go to the Tool Bar and choose View\Resources by Connection\IRQ.

Post the IRQ listing here.

You can still get Everest at:

http://www.oldversion.com/program.php?n=everesthome

here's my IRQ listing... oh and btw, it's still skipping even if i set it at Basic Acceleration i don't really wana lower the acceleration.. im hoping there's another way..

Attachment #1, (gif file)

Your video card and soundcard share an IRQ which is never ideal but I'm not sure it would cause the problem you see.

in that case, how may i remedy that problem between my graphics card and sound card?

PCI steering prevents IRA conflicts these days when IRQs are shared, so I don't think that is the problem. The fact that the music files play just fine using some other software indicates a problem with the Windows Media Player software itself.

One thing that I have seen cause playback issues is when the processor is running at 100% CPU cycles with a high kernal load.

yes, probably, but i'm wondering what could be wrong with Windows Media Player? i mean, isn't it quite odd that both WMP10 and 11 are giving me the same problem? i'd understand if it was jsut WMP 11 giving me the problem, but even since WMP 10, i've already had this issue

>PCI steering prevents IRA conflicts these days when IRQs are
>shared, so I don't think that is the problem.

That only applies if you're talking about an IRQ that is is open or one that can be shared. There are certain IRQs that cannot be changed nor should you attempt to share with multiple devices.

Hello.

It should not be IRQ conflict of soundcard and video card, I believe, since Winamp plays perfectly on the same PC. Doesn't it ?

You should look for the problem elsewhere.

Regards

suatcini

>Hello.
>
>It should not be IRQ conflict of soundcard and video card, I
>believe, since Winamp plays perfectly on the same PC. Doesn't
>it ?
>
>You should look for the problem elsewhere.
>
>Regards

Re-read my post #11 and you'll see why WMP10 and 11 cause the problem and not WinAmp.

His audio card is sharing an IRQ with the NIC card. WMP calls up the Internet when it's connected, through several different services. WinAmp does not. So when you play an Audio file ( particularily MP3's ) with WMP 10, both the Audio Card and NIC card are calling for an IRQ interrupt. As stated in my above posts, IRQ sharing is nice in theory....but in REALITY it does not always work......at least not properly.

Hello.

It is easy to test if IRQ sharing is the problem when WMP tries to connect to internet. In WMP options, untick " Connect to internet " checkbox and see if the problem recurs.

Regards

suatcini

>Hello.
>
>It is easy to test if IRQ sharing is the problem when WMP
>tries to connect to internet. In WMP options, untick " Connect
>to internet " checkbox and see if the problem recurs.
>
>Regards

Not so easy. WMP connects through various services. Already covered this in Post #11. Regardless. Having an Audio card, Video card and possibly the onboard LAN all sharing IRQ 16 is just asking for trouble.

the current BIOS version of my ASUS P5GL-MX mobo is 0501.. the lastest version according to ASUS is 0804.. i've already downloaded the update file, but according to the BIOS Update instructions in the ASUS website, I have to insert the cd that came bundled with my mobo, which I don't have because this pc was pre-built.. can i still update the bios even with the Update file alone?

also, i am not using my onboard LAN because i'm using a USB Wifi Device to connect to the internet..

>the current BIOS version of my ASUS P5GL-MX mobo is 0501..
>the lastest version according to ASUS is 0804.. i've already
>downloaded the update file, but according to the BIOS Update
>instructions in the ASUS website, I have to insert the cd that
>came bundled with my mobo, which I don't have because this pc
>was pre-built.. can i still update the bios even with the
>Update file alone?
>
>also, i am not using my onboard LAN because i'm using a USB
>Wifi Device to connect to the internet..

Had a fairly long reply typed out this afternoon...then I back browsed and lost the whole frickin' thing!!!! Grrrrr. Don't ya hate it when that happens.

Ok so....not connecting through Lan. Using USB WiFI. That explains a lot. Now I notice you have several USB Host controllers.....and of course 1 of them is sharing IRQ 16....along with your Video card and your audio card. I'm not a big fan of USB WiFi devices...they can be a bit "laggy" at times. Be that as it may... you have what you have.

Looks like your USB 2.0 host controller is on IRQ 23 though. Do you happen to know which USB Port your WiFi is plugged into? The USB 1.0 ports or the USB 2.0 port? Try changing the USB port that the WiFi is plugged into. If you can find the USB port that is using IRQ 23 this might be an easy fix ( or diagnostic).

Before we go to much further....can you tell me if you applied the changes to WMP configuration that I mentioned waaaaayyy back in Post #11....You replied back...but I'm not 100% sure if you had applied all the settings. Also, are you using a Firewall. And if so, which one?

Edit: Also not 100% sure if you have a Recovery CD? If not the usually a mfg will hide a folder away in the C:drive with all the drivers. System folders have to be viewable though. Usual default with a prebuilt is to hide them. I'll post back with intsructions in next post.

Once that is answered I think we can start getting our hands dirty.

1: Yes, you can update the Bios with out using the MB CD. Instructions at Asus site. IMHO, I would leave the Bios flash until the absolute last . Bios Flashing can be a bit risky...particularily if you haven't doen it before. And I really don't think it's the problem.


2: You can also download all of the MB drivers from the Asus site.( Go to: http://support.asus.com/download/download.aspx?SLanguage=en-us

Input your Model and select from columns.

Save them into a separate folder. I call mine Updated Applications. Then create separate sub-folders under the main one for your Chipset Drivers, Lan drivers, Audio drivers etc.

However, if the system was built with this particular MB already installed, then the Recovery CD should have the necessary files " somewhere" on it. Browse the Recovery CD with Windows Explorer and see if you can find a section called drivers. Bios won't be in there, but things like Chipset drivers, Audio, Video and Lan drivers will be.

Best to get the latest drivers from Asus though.

3: Update your Chipset Drivers first. Sometimes Updated Chipset drivers will switch the IRQ routing around. WinXP may be operating with it's own generic chipset drivers. While OK, usually the manufactures Chipset drivers are more " up to date", and may use a different IRQ table.

I would install the V7.2.1.1003 Intel(R) Grantsdale-G Chipset software Installation Utility V7.2.1.1003 WHQL for Windows 2000/XP/2003 & 64bit XP/2003.

http://dlsvr03.asus.com/pub/ASUS/mb/socket775/P5GL-MX/INTEL.zip

Save drivers to your Chipset Folder that you created. Then install and reboot 'putor. On reboot check to see if any IRQ's have been reassigned.

4: You may want to download and save the Lan driver, in case you want to use the on board LAN sometime down the road. Plaese check to make sure that the on board LAN is set to disabled in the Bios.

5: Do you have a manual for the MB? If not you can downlaod the complete MB manual in .PDF format ( PDF reader such as Adobe Acrobat needed ). Have a good peruse through the manual. Get familiar with how to get into the Bios and particularily read the sections on PCI slot IRQ assignnments and Plug and Play setting.

We're going to probably have to switch the Plug and Play assignment to "No"....so that the Bios will handle IRQ assignments and not WinXP. This is so we can manually assign IRQ's for the Video, Audio and USB controllers.

Enough for now. You've got homework to do. Post back when you have completed the above steps and post with results....if any. Don't be expecting miracles yet. we've got to do things one step at a time.

To view " Hidden System files". Left click "My Computer". Go to the Toll Bar and select Tools\Folder Options\View.

Make sure the following are checked:

1: Display the contents of System folders
2: Display the full path in the address bar
3: Display the full path in the Title Bar
4: Show hidden files and folders

Make sure the following are unchecked:

5: Hide extensions fo known file types
6: Hide protected operating suystem files ( Recommended )

Note: When you uncheck #6, Windows will start screaming " The Sky is fallling, the sky is falling!!! " Or words to that effect. tell it to P**s Off and continue on your merry way.

Now open Windows Explorer and you should be able to find " Hidden System Files"....which hopefully will contain all of your Recovery files and other info. Might even be a saved version of XP Tip: If and when you do find this....BURN IT TO A CD ASAP!!!!

If you don't find the files, Contact the mfg of your pre-built system and ask for a Recovery CD. BTW, was this a major MFG who pre-built it or what?

i already set the Plug n Play OS to "No".. i doubt that the USB Wifi has anything to do with the problem because i've used the onboard LAN and my D-Link WiFi PCI Adapter before, and currently my USB Wifi Device and I've had the same problem with WMP.. i've successfully flashed the BIOS of my previous mobo (an ASUS CUSL2-C), so i have a little experience in that part, but i won't flash it just yet.. but are you sure that i can flash it without the Mobo CD? so i can just boot from DOS and use the floppy with the BIOS Update File that ASUS told me to make?.. I'll be installing the Chipset update in a while, so I'll just update you on that later on.. I'm getting confused about the recovery CD part.. i couldn't find it even if i followed all those Check and Uncheck stuff in Folder options.. what exactly am i looking for and what's that for? oh yeah, i found the latest SoundMAX drivers on the ASUS website for my mobo, but they're in Beta.. should i install them? how do i determine the version of my SoundMax? whenever i double-click on the soundmax icon in Control Panel, nothing happens. my firewall btw is ZoneAlarm. thanks for helping me

>i already set the Plug n Play OS to "No".. i doubt that the
>USB Wifi has anything to do with the problem because i've used
>the onboard LAN and my D-Link WiFi PCI Adapter before, and
>currently my USB Wifi Device and I've had the same problem
>with WMP.. i've successfully flashed the BIOS of my previous
>mobo (an ASUS CUSL2-C), so i have a little experience in that
>part, but i won't flash it just yet.. but are you sure that i
>can flash it without the Mobo CD? so i can just boot from DOS
>and use the floppy with the BIOS Update File that ASUS told me
>to make?.. I'll be installing the Chipset update in a while,
>so I'll just update you on that later on.. I'm getting
>confused about the recovery CD part.. i couldn't find it even
>if i followed all those Check and Uncheck stuff in Folder
>options.. what exactly am i looking for and what's that for?
>oh yeah, i found the latest SoundMAX drivers on the ASUS
>website for my mobo, but they're in Beta.. should i install
>them? how do i determine the version of my SoundMax? whenever
>i double-click on the soundmax icon in Control Panel, nothing
>happens. my firewall btw is ZoneAlarm. thanks for helping me
>

Ok thanks for the extra info regarding the use of your onboard Lan and the DLink WiFi.

However, in Post #4 you stated:

yes, i reverted to No from Yes in the Plug and Play OS option.. it did not change the IRQs coz according to Everest, it's still the same as before.. my video and audio are still sharing IRQ 16.. so far i've already installed the chipset update from the link you gave me and updated the mobo BIOS to the latest (0501 to 0804).. still having the occasional skipping problem though.. how exactly do I reassign IRQs? is that done through the BIOS Menu? if so, does it matter what IRQ i assign to this device and that, as long as they're using separate ones?

>yes, i reverted to No from Yes in the Plug and Play OS
>option.. it did not change the IRQs coz according to Everest,
>it's still the same as before.. my video and audio are still
>sharing IRQ 16.. so far i've already installed the chipset
>update from the link you gave me and updated the mobo BIOS to
>the latest (0501 to 0804).. still having the occasional
>skipping problem though.. how exactly do I reassign IRQs? is
>that done through the BIOS Menu? if so, does it matter what
>IRQ i assign to this device and that, as long as they're using
>separate ones?

No IRQ number really doesn't matter. Certain ones are reserved for system use...but you won't be able to change those.

Couple of questions.

Do you know if your P4 CPU is a Dual core model? Everest should be able to tell you this if you're not sure.

Can you go to Device manager and Click on the Computer Icon? Need to know if the Computer is configured as an ACPI compatible with Uni-Code Processor or ACPI compatible with Multi-Code Processor ( or words to that effect ). Pretty sure I know why the IRQ's did not change when they should have....but I need to confirm something.

Any improvements or changes since installing the newer Chipset drivers and new SoundMax drivers?

i'm not sure if it's Dual Core, but my Device Manager does display two processors of exactly the same type, like below:

Processors
>Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00Ghz
>Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00Ghz

It also tells me that i have an ACPI Multiprocessor PC.

What's weird though is that under my System Devices, there's a yellow exclamation mark next to "PnP BIOS Extension". I don't know if the chipset update or the BIOS update was the culprit, and i'm reluctant to uninstall it because i read about the experiences of some users regarding this particular problem. When they tried uninstalling the Pnp BIOS Extension driver so that they may reinstall it again after reboot, they weren't able to start Windows anymore. Is it safe to rollback the driver instead of choosing the Uninstall option?

So far, i haven't heard skipping in WMP 10, but lately, it keeps crashing. Always. In the middle of the first song I play, it would crash. I really hope that the final WMP 11 fixes a lot of bugs in WMP 10.

>i'm not sure if it's Dual Core, but my Device Manager does
>display two processors of exactly the same type, like below:
>
>Processors
>>Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00Ghz
>>Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00Ghz
>
>It also tells me that i have an ACPI Multiprocessor PC.
>
>What's weird though is that under my System Devices, there's a
>yellow exclamation mark next to "PnP BIOS Extension". I don't
>know if the chipset update or the BIOS update was the culprit,
>and i'm reluctant to uninstall it because i read about the
>experiences of some users regarding this particular problem.
>When they tried uninstalling the Pnp BIOS Extension driver so
>that they may reinstall it again after reboot, they weren't
>able to start Windows anymore. Is it safe to rollback the
>driver instead of choosing the Uninstall option?
>
>So far, i haven't heard skipping in WMP 10, but lately, it
>keeps crashing. Always. In the middle of the first song I
>play, it would crash. I really hope that the final WMP 11
>fixes a lot of bugs in WMP 10.

If you right click on PNP Bios extension and choose Properties it should tell you what the error is.

Go back into the Bios and set " Plug and Play" to Yes ( don't forget to save changes). See if Yellow exclamation goes away.

Sounds like you do have a Dual core Pentium. What does Everest CPU info say?

i set the Plug n Play OS to Yes already but it still didn't fix the PnP BIOS Extension problem. This is the problem accdg to Device manager:

"Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this hardware. (Code 37)"

I also set Onboard LAN from enabled to disabled in the BIOS settings since i don't use the onboard LAN anyway.

So far, i haven't noticed any skipping, but Windows Media Player 10 constantly crashes though. Frankly, i'd rather hear my songs skip than have to deal with WMP crashing all the time

Everest doesn't explicitly say Dual Core, but it does mention Multi CPU and it displays two of the same CPUs like Device manager does.

>i set the Plug n Play OS to Yes already but it still didn't
>fix the PnP BIOS Extension problem. This is the problem accdg
>to Device manager:
>
>"Windows cannot initialize the device driver for this
>hardware. (Code 37)"
>
>I also set Onboard LAN from enabled to disabled in the BIOS
>settings since i don't use the onboard LAN anyway.
>
>So far, i haven't noticed any skipping, but Windows Media
>Player 10 constantly crashes though. Frankly, i'd rather hear
>my songs skip than have to deal with WMP crashing all the time
>
>
>Everest doesn't explicitly say Dual Core, but it does mention
>Multi CPU and it displays two of the same CPUs like Device
>manager does.

Did Windows Media Player just start crashing or was it doing that before? I don't remember you mentioning the crashing before.

If it did just start, then indeed, Roll back the Chipset drivers.

Have you tried uninstalling WMP 10 and reverting to WMP 9? WMP 9 is the default player and all necessary files should be backed up on your System. Note: You have to have " Show updates" ticked in Add\Remove programs to uninstall WMP 10. It's in Windows Updates.

Sounds like you do have a Dual core Processor.

When i clicked on Roll Back Driver, it told me that: "No driver files have been backed up for this device" so i can't perform the rollback

i think the crashing occured only recently.. when i was using WMP 11 Beta, it wasn't crashing at all.. i'll try uninstalling WMP 10 and sees if it still does crash..

what is the significance of my Processor possibly being Dual Core, sir?

i couldn't uninstall WMP 10.. i tried uninstalling it from Add/Remove Programs but it's still there.. i tried uninstalling it through its registry uninstall key, but it's still there.. im getting desperate.. i just hope that WMP 11 Final Release will fix all these problems

>i couldn't uninstall WMP 10.. i tried uninstalling it from
>Add/Remove Programs but it's still there.. i tried
>uninstalling it through its registry uninstall key, but it's
>still there.. im getting desperate.. i just hope that WMP 11
>Final Release will fix all these problems

Silly question, but are you sure it didn't uninstall and revert back to WMP 9? Check the version number in WMP's Toolbar. Under the Help Tool ( About Windows Media Player). ( Sorry to ask something so basic....but I'm not there and am trying to cover all bases )

Sometimes the installer key will remain behind in Add\Remove Programs.

BTW, what exactly did you do by trying to " Uninstall by it's Registry uninstall key"? I don't quite understand that.

Edit: PS...still haven't given up on IRQ issue. It can be forced to change, but I think we need to clear up WMP 10 with perhaps a fresh install or revert back to WMP 9. We also need to take care of that Chipset Bios Extension issue.

Have you tried a fresh download of WMP10?
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/mp10/default.aspx

Save to a permanent folder and run setup. Should re-install over top of itself and replace any missing or corrupted files. If it gives a message that "WMP10 is already installed" or that a newer version is already installed....let us know and there is a registry mod that will let it re-install ( just gotta find the thing. Think it's at Kelly's corner ).

Another question...have you been installing any extra third party Codec packages?

Hello.

After fiddling around with both hardware and software in your PC, it is very difficult to get good results.

But I assure you, this is the best but hardest way to learn into PC hardware-wise and software-wise.

At this point what I can suggest is, restore your PC, if possible, to a point where you were having mp3 files skipping. I hope you have enough restore points.

After that shut down or disconnect your internet connection and restart your PC.

As an additional step, open wmp11 options and check for updates once a month and untick Connect to Internet checkbox.

If your mp3 playback becomes fine, this clarifies the situation. NIC sharing IRQ with Soundcard creates the problem.

Otherwise, we should look for the problem elsewhere.

Please post back your findings if you do the above.

Regards

suatcini

Attachment #1, (jpg file)

Hello.

Sometimes, a file is written on a bad sector during installation of the program such that it creates various problems. It is possible that one of the files in Windows Media Player folder is on such a bad sector.

Either rename the windows media folder in Program Files directory and try to reinstall WMP 11 or earlier, if you can. For this you may have to erase some registry keys that prevent wmp from reinstalling.

Or do a " CHKDSK.EXE /R " from a command prompt, without the quotes. This repairs the bad sectors on your hdd.

Then try to play your favorite mp3 and see if anything id improved by the above process.

Please be advised.

Regards

suatcini

Any updates Agent J. Have you tried re-installing WMP 10 over the top of itself?

Been very busy the last few days so haven't been able to follow up on things. Sorry....

>When i clicked on Roll Back Driver, it told me that: "No
>driver files have been backed up for this device" so i can't
>perform the rollback
>
>i think the crashing occured only recently.. when i was using
>WMP 11 Beta, it wasn't crashing at all.. i'll try uninstalling
>WMP 10 and sees if it still does crash..
>
>what is the significance of my Processor possibly being Dual
>Core, sir?

Which Chipset driver version did you actually install? Make sure that System Restore is turned for your C: drive.

Dual Core Proccessor's are basically two separate CPU's all rolled up into one. This is a good thing....very good.

Hello.

I have a notebook in which soundcard, display adapter, and ethernet adapter all share the same IRQ, IRQ 9, and I have no problem playing mp3 nor wma, although my notebook has a CPU of PIII 850 MHz, display adapter with 8 MB of memeory, and 256 MB of RAM.( Pls see the attached picture, if ever I am able to attach it ! )

Therefore, I am not able to accept your argument that IRQ sharing is to blame for media files skipping.

Please be advised.

Best regards

suatcini

Attachment #1, (jpg file)

>Hello.
>
>I have a notebook in which soundcard, display adapter, and
>ethernet adapter all share the same IRQ, IRQ 9, and I have no
>problem playing mp3 nor wma, although my notebook has a CPU of
>PIII 850 MHz, display adapter with 8 MB of memeory, and 256 MB
>of RAM.( Pls see the attached picture, if ever I am able to
>attach it ! )
>
>Therefore, I am not able to accept your argument that IRQ
>sharing is to blame for media files skipping.
>
>Please be advised.
>
>Best regards

Whatever....lots of people have had problems with IRQ sharing. That's a fact. Spend five minutes on Google seaching for IRQ problems.

Just because YOU don't have a problem with YOUR system ( which is completely different from Agent J's )doesn't mean a Hill of Beans. Now, if every one owned your notebook with the exact same programs installed and the exact same specifications, then maybe you could conclude something meaningfull.

Unfortunately the world is not that simple. Just because you don't have problems with YOUR particular piece of equipment doesn't mean that other people don't have problems. You are trying to compare Apples to Oranges.

Not trying to be a smart-alec...but IRQ sharing DOES cause a lot of issues. That has been my experience, from a lot of cases. Go to some Gaming Forums or Multi Media forums. They are full of issues that have been solved by isolating the IRQ's for Video cards, Audio cards and Nics or on board LAN's.

Now, I may be completely wrong in my assessment of the situation. Hey...I'm not perfect. Trying to diagnose a problem over the Internet has to be one of the more difficult challenges. But until you adopt a step by step, logical diagnostic program.....eliminating the most likely variables one by one, all you will be doing is taking a WAG.

Correcting IRQ issues will eliminate 1 MAJOR variable, and as noted earlier, it is easier to correct IRQ sharing conflicts than to hunt down obscure hardware bugs.

I'm just trying to help Agent J. He's got the problem...not you.

If you have some better soulutions then speak up.

Edit: Note to Agent J....it certainly couldn't hurt to try what " suatcnini" suggested in Post #27.

I take it from reading your posts that you have uninstalled and re-installed WMP 10?

Hello.

Thanks for your comments.

This is an open forum. Everybody is trying to help, not only you. And I got a lot of help from this forum, as well.

But I must also add that I resented your post pretending to scold me.

Have a nice day.

Best regards

suatcini

>here's my IRQ listing... oh and btw, it's still skipping even
>if i set it at Basic Acceleration i don't really wana lower
>the acceleration.. im hoping there's another way..

There is another way, trust me on this. Note that you are sharing your ATI Video card and the sound card. that is really bad. For some reason I can't see your NIC card listed in the IRQ list....am I blind? You are using a Nic card aren't you? Or does the board have on-board LAN? BTW, is this a ASUS P4BGL-MX Mobo....asus USA doesn't list a P4GL-MX.

Can you do me a favor and download Everest at OldVersion.com. Post the IRQ listing from that. I need the board revion number as well. Everest will tell you that.

What I think may solve the problem, is to go into the Bios and change Plug and Play OS suystem to NO. This will let the Bios assign IRQ's and not the Operating system. Bios assignment allows you to manipulate IRQ assignements easier. Bios IRQ assignment also (usually) relies less on IRQ sharing than OS IRQ assignement, particualrily with W2K and WinXP.

For a quick check, if you have a plug in Nic card. Power down, physiaclly remove the NIC card and retest WMP 10. If an on-board LAN, disable it in the Bios, reboot and test WMP 10 again. If skipping has gone away then you've isolated the problem.

BTW, you do have all the correct drivers installed from your MB disc? No yellow or red excalamtiom marks for devices in Device Manager?

Edit: I'm gone for most of the day now....but I'll get back later in the evening. Plaese post your results back here. I'd really like to see that Everest IRQ report and MB specification report as well. ( Makes troubleshhoting over the net a bit easier). Good Luck.

my apologies, it's a P5GL-MX Motherboard and not a P4GL-MX.. the BIOS version is 8.00.10. I don't have an NIC plugged in. this new pc came to me with pre-installed software, so i don't have the cd that comes with the mobo. My IRQs according to Everest are listed below. Btw the link you gave me is broken. I downloaded Everest Free Edition 2.20.405. when i first run it, it said that it didn't fully support my mobo's chipset. Anyhow, i will be awaiting your reply sir. thank you very much for assisting me on this. i think my OS is currently set as Plug n Play, but i won't touch that until further notice. thank you

http://www.pcqanda.com/dc/user_files2/17503.txt

Attachment #1, (txt file)

There's nothing that I can see in your IRQ settings that suggest something is wrong. The only suspcious setting per your log is the PCI-express root memory. I wonder why it is "undetermined" while everything else in that list is either Exclusive or Shared?



Furthermore, Chickenman is right. If there is a separate sound card and video card installed, they should be on separate IRQs to avoid any conflicts. Typically on a standard ATX system, you would have IRQs 0-15. I don't know why you have 16, 18 & 23 showing. Is this a home built system or an OEM box?

The problem could be caused by a DMA (direct memory access) issue.

Attachment #1, (jpg file)

Hello.

In new M/B, the IRQs come between 0 and 23 and not between 0 and 15. I do not know if some of the IRQs above 15 are pseudo IRQs.

Regards

suatcini

Any chance that motherboard drivers need to be installed or upgraded?

What file format is the song that's skipping? Last week I had music skipping from CDs, which turned out to be a problem with the DVD drive that I was playing it in.

I've never like WMP for similar reasons. I have a Pentium 4 machine with one gig of ram and WMP always freezes on me or crashes. I prefer Winamp and lately have been playing around with Media Monkey which is awesome!
http://www.mediamonkey.com/