Project Reality Forums

Type Gaming, Media
Operating System Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Centrino 2 @ 2.5 GHz
RAM 4 GB
Weight 7 lb
Screen Size 17 inches
Screen Size Type widescreen
Graphics Card nVidia GeForce 9600M GT
Storage Capacity (as Tested) 320 GB
Networking Options 802.11n
Primary Optical Drive DVD+/-RW DL with Blu-Ray
Bleutooth and WiFi off

Since about two days every nine, or so, minutes it stops whatever i'm doing (PR or DVD) momentarily (1sec) then it starts off again I hear a little buzz as the audio catches up.
When playing it just stutters (like lag spike) when watching a DVD it stutters then the buzz as the sound 'catches up' then its OK ... for about nine minutes.
As I get this when watching a DVD its obviously something in the computer, I haven't installed or DL'ed anything so it's a bit weird.
If anyone's met this let me know before I do a reinstall (after two years probably about time to open it up again clean it and do a fresh install).

Open it up and find out where the buzzzzz iz coming from.

It sounds like a hardware thing, not a software thing. Just a guess at this point.

Thanks but the 'Buzz' is the sound catching up from a little 1 second lag, if I'm in game or watching DVD it freezes then I hear a buzz of the compressed sounds 'catching up'.

You could..

1. Try using the TaskManager and ResourceMonitor to figure out whats going on when the buzzing happens.

2. Try scanning for malware.

3. Open it up and clean up.

4. Reinstall

or just send me a ticket and i come down and fix it for you in person

Don't forget to check the Event Viewer and/or Reliablitly Monitor for criticals and warnings.

Else: possibly a hardware issue, dedusting might already help. Check the capacitors for defects (leaking, rusting, bloating).

It should still be clean form the last time.

I looked in task manager and I think out of 70 processes running its hard to know what it could be.

And 32cap thx for the offer....but we do have computer shops down here.

I will try a fresh reinstall of everything - then if it persists could this be the excuse to build a new one?

Personally being a paranoid chap I wonder if the HD is dieing.

Have you tried using task manager to shut everything down and then just run PR or a video ?

I'm with snipingcoward on this one. A regular glitch like this points towards a capacitor, or similar, breaking down and discharging across a board. If the processes checks show nothing wrong then start to remove hardware one by one, i.e. soundcard, then video to narrow down the fault.

Why do you have 70 processes running?
I have Vista to and i only have 50 at the moment. This is to me an indication that something is not right with your software, not your harddrive.

Did you scan for malware?
I use SpyBot Search&Destroy. It is free and pretty good.

I remember you telling me you have two screens.
So just leave the ResourceMonitor running on one screen and play or watch movies on the other.
And when the buzzing sounds appears check what processes are using cpu power or is reading the harddrive etc..

[R-DEV]strima wrote:... start to remove hardware one by one, i.e. soundcard, then video to narrow down the fault.

Don't forget to unplug the USB devices as well. Use a PS2 mouse or keyboard since they are more fail-safe.

Thx seems to come from windows mail doing its autocheck on new mails as it only happens when mail is open.

Thx for your help.