Luna2 crackles and errors!

hawk · Post by **hawk** » Tue Jun 12, 2001 2:55 pm

Hi!

I just bought the Luna2 card, and am having some seriopus trouble. Hope there is anyone that has any good advice!

When I use GSIF and a sequenser with say 50++ audiotracks, I get clicks and pops from the card. Also without the GSIF and only using sequencer, and They are also recorded.

Sometimes I loose the audio, and I need to turn off the PC comletely, or restart at least 2 times to get sound back.

I also get :

1. I get error messages in Windows:

nil reference or dispatch == NULL on left side of `.` MMsystem032

and

The specified format cannot be translated or supported. Use the Capabilities function to view supported formats.

I have:...

Abit BX 133raid motherboardIntel Socket FCPGA pentium III 1000Mhz PC 173
Vanlig SD ram PC133 256Mb (2 brikker = 512Mb Ram)
Western ATA 100 20Gb 7200Rpm (2 Disker)
Atapi CD 52X
Tekram DC-390F/U PCI SCSI Adapter
STB nVIDIA TNT 16Mb AGP graphicscard
3com Etherlink III ISA network card
Plug n Play monitor

IRQ settings:
00 system timer
01 Standard 101/102-key or microsoft natural keyboard
02 ProgrammableInterrupt Controller
03 Communications port (Com2)
04 Communications port (Com1)
05 3com Etherlink III ISA (3C509b-TPO) in pnp mode
06 Standard floppy controller
07 Printer port (LPT1)
08 System CMOS/real time clock
09 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
09 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
09 Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
09 STB nVIDIA TNT 16Mb
09 SCI IRQ used by ACPI bus
10 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
10 HPT370 UDMA/ATA100 RAID Controller
10 Luna
11 ACPI IRQ Holder for PCI IRQ Steering
11 Tekram DC-390F/U PCI SCSI Adapter
12 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port
13 Numeric data processor
14 Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Master IDE Controller
14 Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
15 Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Master IDE Controller
15 Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)

Thanks for any tips!

Hawk

MeloManiac · Post by **MeloManiac** » Tue Jun 12, 2001 3:45 pm

I don't think you can complain about not being able to run more than 50++ tracks:)) Anyway... you have IRQ sharing which I always eliminate. Luna is sharing, which is probably not good... Do you really need all those serial/parallel ports? If not, disable them and find a way to get Luna on its own IRQ.

MeloManiac · Post by **MeloManiac** » Tue Jun 12, 2001 3:49 pm

I can see you're sharing LUNA with your HD controller.. probably not the best. Also, why waste an IRQ on your SCSI controller when you have no SCSI disks? (I might even ask, why have a SCSI controller installed at all:))

subhuman · Post by **subhuman** » Tue Jun 12, 2001 4:09 pm

ISA cards also hog the PCI bus, you'll get more tracks once you ditch your 3com ISA for a PCI network card. The Linksys cards are a good bet for $15 and lots of good drivers.

Mo · Post by Mo » Wed Jun 13, 2001 3:49 am

hey. we need more serios problems to solve, this one was too simple...

(just nonsense, sorry

)

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Mo on 2001-06-13 04:50 ]</font>

hawk · Post by **hawk** » Wed Jun 13, 2001 5:52 am

Thanks for replies!

I have to say that if you are pulsar users and settle for about 50 audiotracks then you should wake up, and I'm very sorry if this is all that the creamware cards can offer. My old Event Gina from 1995 can handle 128tracks with effects, and I know for sure that it's only limitateed by my CPU. It's only fair that I expect the same from Luna.

Problem NOT solved as you may think.

I have disabled my two com ports. Other devices automapped themselves to these two IRQ settings, so they are not free even still. I have tried my system without the PCI card, and everythings the same then, I don't think this one is making problems than there are.

hawk · Post by **hawk** » Wed Jun 13, 2001 5:59 am

The support tech at the shop who sold me the motherboard tells me that that exact type is known for being a sucker for sharing IRQ's, and you can't change them in the BIOS. That's why it is also difficoult to get Luna with a seperate IRQ without sharing with anything. I install Luna in slot three, and get IRQ 10. In any other slot I get PCI BUFFER OVERFLOW ERROR message and audio stops. This is all without having installed any other card. Only AGP graphics card, and Luna.

I have SCSI because I have a SCSI CD-writer(Used to have a SCSI disc- and now only because it is much more stable to write with SCSI). I actually have managed without any broken cd's or crashes when burning this way.

Pheew, still in too deep.

Very thankful for more thoughts

All the best
hawk

subhuman · Post by **subhuman** » Wed Jun 13, 2001 8:19 am

"Event Gina from 1995 can handle 128tracks"

Off of what hard disk? Sorry but this statement really doesn't make any sense to me, an ATA33 interface only allows a theoretical maximum of 33mb/sec but can only maintain a sustained data rate of about 10mb/sec (at least in 1995, as of now that number is probably near 33mb/sec even with ATA100 interfaces and 7200RPM IDE drives), and assuming full 44.1khz, 16bit (mono) quality audio needs about 86kb/sec, the theoretical sustained peak performance (assuming nothing else was using the ATA33 interface at the same time) would be 116 tracks maximum. And this is assuming absolutely ideal conditions...

That said, I've had 40 unique audio tracks playing easily off my 7200RPM maxtor, and haven't needed more than that yet, but my machine wasn't even breaking a sweat. If you haven't already try <a href=http://planetz.ghostwheel.com/phpBB/vie ... weaking</a> your system more

Also, disable everything you can on your motherboard in the BIOS, especially USB on the BX chipset, as that can eat PCI bandwidth for lunch.

As far as clicks and pops, how low is your ULLI set to? If you're going for large numbers of tracks, you can't have your ULLI set too low, if you set it higher, you'll get more tracks without pops and clicks.

Are you using any digital interfacing (ADAT/SPDIF)? A sync problem can also cause this.

Screen savers and background tasks are the usual culprit. Also the ISA card should go, and ideally you'll not have a highpoint crappy controller on your motherboard, either (a source of LOTS!!! of headaches for me in the past)

hawk · Post by **hawk** » Wed Jun 13, 2001 2:20 pm

Thanks for reply!

I have two harddrives, both:
Western ATA 100 20Gb 7200Rpm

One seperate harddrive for audiofiles only, and this is giving better performance for audio playback. My ULLI settings is usually on 7Ms, and when I get clicks I turn to 13, but I still get clicks and pops.

My fast 512Mb ram also has alot to do with my ability to run as many tracks as this.

I was thinking that I should try to get my old Gina card installed, then I could use that on the softsampler.

Cheers

Hawk