Audio skipping on new Core Duo laptop

So I just got a new Acer 8200. It has the Intel Core Duo T2500 processor in it. So lots of compute cycles to spare. However about a week after I got it, audio playback started skipping something fierce. The audio system appears to be "Realtek High Definition Audio". After a little bit of googling, I managed to find an updated driver on the Realtek site, but installing that didn't help. Anyone have other ideas?

The skipping problem does appear to get better when the CPU is close to idle, but the skipping comes back when I try to start another program or something, despite the fact that one of the cores is completely idle.

 

i had the same problem but with a Dell. I had to reinstall the cd/dvd drive b/c it was causing major interference with the sound..if ur having audio problems all over the place (and not just from a CD conflict), then I'm not sure...let me know

 

Could be buffer setting of the player? Try increasing it.

 

Give some examples of the specific "audio playback" that's being problematic.

 

It seems that the problem is not localized to one program or software subsystem. Here are some examples of things that skip:

* Windows startup sound
* CD playing on Windows Media Player
* MP3 playing on Windows Media Player
* MP3 playing on VLC
* Audio over skype (though not as often)

As I mentioned before I think I'm running the latest driver on my audio system (Realtek High Definition Audio v. 5.10.0.5221).

So now that I'm writing this, it's starting to seem like a hardware problem. If that's what it is, is there any way to confirm that before I call in warranty support help?

Thanks!

 

same thing happens to my HP.
it happens if;
I play a mp3 in winamp(or others), and I'm using the CD drive (browsing, copying...)
also if I'm only listening audio files from CD.

the problem is avoided if I use WinDVD player...
but that's not a solution.

one core is at 100% usage, and the other is at 5%...
who's to blame....
this is really annoying.

 

What OS are you guys using? Maybe it's something like Readyboost?

 

If you are using Vista, try:

Sound>Playback Tab>Double-click Speakers/Headphones>Enhancements Tab>Check "disable all enhancements"

 

^ Also if on Vista - latest driver doesn't always help. I've installed the latest SigmaTel thingy driver for my SZ and it stopped all audio playback - so I had to rollback to the previous one to get my sound back. Oh and that "disable all enhancement" was the one who slowed down my audio majorly as well!!

 

I'm still on XP.

 

This may be unrelated, but this thread might be worth checking out.

 

That sentence certainly speaks for the XP multicore fix.

 

are you using built in speakers or external ones?

regards.

John.

 

I'm using built in speakers, but I dont think thats where the problem is, since the overall PC performance drops (mouse pointer starts dragging it's feet, and the whole thing seems like super slow motion).

I'll try downloading the latest fixes as soon as possible (currently @ v90)...
but one would think HP would bother to test their products before putting it out there.

(and I hate all the bs that comes pre-installed with the pc)