Audio stuttering in Media Player

gonlaz · 05-28-2006, 09:51 PM

I have an old system with 128 MB RAM, maybe a dumb question, but I really didn't know that I couldn't play music on my 'puter with 128, or is that it?

Anyway, I can't seem to play any music file on this thing without it stuttering all over the place. I have no other applications, etc running. Any thoughts I will thank you in advance :)

steelman2202 · 05-28-2006, 10:17 PM

Try winamp. I believe it uses a lot less resources than Windows Media Player. If that fails try Media Player Classic.

If those do not work, it can be a driver/hardware/not enough ram problem and we can look at it from there.

gonlaz · 05-29-2006, 08:00 AM

That didn't work, here's something I forgot to mention last night. I CAN play CD's and there is no issue, only on downloaded music files

**Terrister** · 05-29-2006, 09:37 AM

What programs are running at startup? What antivirus are you using?

gonlaz · 05-29-2006, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrister

What programs are running at startup? What antivirus are you using?

I am so glad you asked that because I cannot remember how to find the screen that tells me what's running at startup. I had been using Norton, but it's currently disabled to allow for faster processing.

Can you step by step me to find out what's running at startup?

**Terrister** · 05-29-2006, 10:26 AM

Go to start,run and type msconfig and click on ok.
Go to the startup tab and uncheck unwanted programs.
You need to run some sort of Anti Virus if this computer is used on the internet.

gonlaz · 05-29-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrister

Go to start,run and type msconfig and click on ok.
Go to the startup tab and uncheck unwanted programs.
You need to run some sort of Anti Virus if this computer is used on the internet.

I got a "cannot find msconfig" error

gonlaz · 05-29-2006, 10:30 AM

I know it may not matter at this second but I did regularly run a full scan weekly until last week.

I did a search for 'starup' and found a file labeled 'startup' then I opened it and only webshots was in there, would that be accurate? I know that whenever I boot up I only have that program down in the task bar and nothing else

**TheMatt** · 05-29-2006, 10:56 AM

Check the spelling. if you still cannot find it, then there is a problem. But I do not recomend that for startup items, instead I recomend Startup CP.

gonlaz · 05-29-2006, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMatt

Check the spelling. if you still cannot find it, then there is a problem. But I do not recomend that for startup items, instead I recomend Startup CP.

I wasn't able to find msconfig months ago but "I didn't think it was a problem" but I have been running full scans and updating the norton, still nothing was found - I know it's not 100% and all.

What likely other issues could that be, what can I do to find it?

gonlaz · 05-29-2006, 11:13 AM

Okay, according to that control panel I downloaded from that link, only Webshots is running at startup.

gonlaz · 05-29-2006, 04:11 PM

I can't even watch streaming video or listen to streaming audio, which is weird. Before getting this cable modem/connection, when I had dial up, I could -

I regularly watch video from espn, cnn and other websites. Just as added information, any ideas out there???

**Terrister** · 05-29-2006, 04:53 PM

Is updating your RAM an option?
Sorry about the msconfig. It was left out of Windows 2000.
I would also try running defrag on the hard drive.

gonlaz · 05-29-2006, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrister

Is updating your RAM an option?
Sorry about the msconfig. It was left out of Windows 2000.
I would also try running defrag on the hard drive.

Sure, I can buy another memory stick, do you think that's what is going on, a memory problem?

**Terrister** · 05-29-2006, 07:05 PM

That is most likely the problem. Another 128 MB should not be to much if you have an open slot.

**TheMatt** · 05-29-2006, 08:11 PM

If there is only studering with meduim to large files, then its definatley the memory.

gonlaz · 05-30-2006, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMatt

If there is only studering with meduim to large files, then its definatley the memory.

Well, I have only tried listening to a few songs and none of them work, in any player/format. I tried streaming video and it is bad as well.

However, P put in my music CD and it plays fine, anything I download or try to watch/listen THROUGH the internet, as a result of doanload from email, cnn fox, etc - doesn't work.

**TheMatt** · 05-30-2006, 01:10 PM

If you rip files from the CD and put them on your hard disk does it do the same thing? Also, try pinging one of the sites that you download music from by typing "ping www.[whatever the site is].com into the command prompt. and post the results

gonlaz · 05-30-2006, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMatt

If you rip files from the CD and put them on your hard disk does it do the same thing? Also, try pinging one of the sites that you download music from by typing "ping www.[whatever the site is].com into the command prompt. and post the results

Thanks for the suggestion:

I did rip a tune of of the CD to my hard drive and yes, it too stuttered badly. So, is this RAM related?

ebackhus · 05-30-2006, 04:23 PM

I've ripped CDs on a Celeron 366 with only 64MB of RAM so I can't see that as as issue. If the RAM was bad you'd have more problems that stuttering audio. I rip with Easy CD-DA Audio Extractor and playback with WinAmp. I've played MP3s on Pentium I's without a problem.

05-28-2006, 09:51 PM	#1 (permalink)
gonlaz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I live in Texas Posts: 66 OS: Windows XP Professional	Audio stuttering in Media Player I have an old system with 128 MB RAM, maybe a dumb question, but I really didn't know that I couldn't play music on my 'puter with 128, or is that it? Anyway, I can't seem to play any music file on this thing without it stuttering all over the place. I have no other applications, etc running. Any thoughts I will thank you in advance :)

05-28-2006, 10:17 PM	#2 (permalink)
steelman2202 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Missouri, USA Posts: 381 OS: WinXP Pro SP2 My System	Try winamp. I believe it uses a lot less resources than Windows Media Player. If that fails try Media Player Classic. If those do not work, it can be a driver/hardware/not enough ram problem and we can look at it from there. __________________ Speedfan * Memtest * CPU-Z * Thermal Paste Application

05-29-2006, 09:37 AM	#4 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	What programs are running at startup? What antivirus are you using? __________________

05-29-2006, 10:26 AM	#6 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	Go to start,run and type msconfig and click on ok. Go to the startup tab and uncheck unwanted programs. You need to run some sort of Anti Virus if this computer is used on the internet. __________________

05-29-2006, 10:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
gonlaz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I live in Texas Posts: 66 OS: Windows XP Professional	I know it may not matter at this second but I did regularly run a full scan weekly until last week. I did a search for 'starup' and found a file labeled 'startup' then I opened it and only webshots was in there, would that be accurate? I know that whenever I boot up I only have that program down in the task bar and nothing else __________________ MSI K8MM-V (MS-7142) AMD Sempron, 1600 MHz (8 x 200) 2800+ 1 GB DDR PC3200 SDRAM Last edited by gonlaz; 05-29-2006 at 10:33 AM.

05-29-2006, 08:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
gonlaz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I live in Texas Posts: 66 OS: Windows XP Professional	That didn't work, here's something I forgot to mention last night. I CAN play CD's and there is no issue, only on downloaded music files

05-29-2006, 10:56 AM	#9 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Check the spelling. if you still cannot find it, then there is a problem. But I do not recomend that for startup items, instead I recomend Startup CP. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

05-29-2006, 11:13 AM	#11 (permalink)
gonlaz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I live in Texas Posts: 66 OS: Windows XP Professional	Okay, according to that control panel I downloaded from that link, only Webshots is running at startup. __________________ MSI K8MM-V (MS-7142) AMD Sempron, 1600 MHz (8 x 200) 2800+ 1 GB DDR PC3200 SDRAM

05-29-2006, 04:11 PM	#12 (permalink)
gonlaz Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: I live in Texas Posts: 66 OS: Windows XP Professional	I can't even watch streaming video or listen to streaming audio, which is weird. Before getting this cable modem/connection, when I had dial up, I could - I regularly watch video from espn, cnn and other websites. Just as added information, any ideas out there??? __________________ MSI K8MM-V (MS-7142) AMD Sempron, 1600 MHz (8 x 200) 2800+ 1 GB DDR PC3200 SDRAM

05-29-2006, 04:53 PM	#13 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	Is updating your RAM an option? Sorry about the msconfig. It was left out of Windows 2000. I would also try running defrag on the hard drive. __________________

05-29-2006, 07:05 PM	#15 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	That is most likely the problem. Another 128 MB should not be to much if you have an open slot. __________________

05-29-2006, 08:11 PM	#16 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	If there is only studering with meduim to large files, then its definatley the memory. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

05-30-2006, 01:10 PM	#18 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	If you rip files from the CD and put them on your hard disk does it do the same thing? Also, try pinging one of the sites that you download music from by typing "ping www.[whatever the site is].com into the command prompt. and post the results __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

05-30-2006, 04:23 PM	#20 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,249 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	I've ripped CDs on a Celeron 366 with only 64MB of RAM so I can't see that as as issue. If the RAM was bad you'd have more problems that stuttering audio. I rip with Easy CD-DA Audio Extractor and playback with WinAmp. I've played MP3s on Pentium I's without a problem. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.