NI Windows XP audio dropout problems assistance

To all - I have seen many posts on the web and threads here regarding issues with folks having audio crackles and dropouts in Windows XP. I also had those problems, and since others have graciously posted ideas on limiting the effects of unneeded Windows Services (that helped my issues), I thought I should do the same for anyone else out there having these issues.

So, since I am a programmer by trade, I am just finishing a program (don't worry it's free I'm just trying to help) that allows the creation of profiles that contain lists of Windows Services that you want to turn off prior to using your computer for music performance, and then you can use the same profile to turn those Windows Services back on when you want to use your computer for something else.

What the program does is to present a list of all Windows Services on your PC, allowing you to check off which services you want to manage. Then it saves the profile. (You can also edit, delete, and create additional profiles).

So, now when you are ready to do music performance, you start up the program, select the profile you created, then click on the Stop Services button to cause all of the selected services to be stopped. (This is far easier than doing them one at a time using the Windows Services management utility). After you stop the services, you can either minimize the program (it's really tiny) or you can terminate it.

Once you are through with your music performance, you get the program back up (if it was only minimized it still has the profile you selected earlier) or if you restarted the program you re-select the same profile you had before. Once a profile is selected, you simply click on the Start Services button, and the program restarts all of the services in the profile.

I use this program all the time in live performance and in recording and it works great.

If anyone is interested in using this program, I will happily send it in an email. Just send an email to me at robert_e_bone@yahoo.com and I will happily send it along, and will answer all questions on its use.

Please do note that you will be responsible for determining which services you want to turn off and on. There is all kinds of info on that out there, and it should be consulted. Each person's configuration and needs are different so I leave that to you. I will supply in my response email with a list of which Windows Services I turn off and on.

I hope this helps - again my help is freely offered on this, as others have done the same for me in the past.

Bob Bone
robert_e_bone@yahoo.com

 

It Works! Many Thanks!

Hi Bob,

I must thank you not only to have provided me with your great (and FREE) utility program for stopping and starting vital services, to aid better audio recording and live performaces but also for guiding me and dedicating more of your valuable time and effort in helping me solving the pops, crackles and dropouts that I was experiencing on my laptop.

The culprits were the AMD processors's drivers which I have now updated.

I found your program very easy to use and with definite running improvement. I know that the program is not totally finalized but it works well for me. I am looking to be using it on a daily basis with great pleasure.

It is nice to be able to:
- Switch off my wireless connection (through external switch).
- Start your Utility Program.
- Select a saved profile of the services to be stopped.
- Stop the services.
- Start to create or play music.

When finishing using the laptop for music making:
- Start the services back on by clicking the button.
- Switch the wireless back on and enjoy normal operation.

Simple!

Thanks again Bob!
Frank