Help please - how to stop XP throttling the CPU

[MSIC]

I have a P3M based laptop, a Compaq Evo n410c, with a 1200Mhz P3.
Am trying to get a Creative Xmod external soundcard to run on it, and for ages have laid the blame at the USB, but now using an external (powered) usb hub, have the same isue.
What is happening is that sound plays fine for the first, approx 20 seconds, maybe up to even a minute, before it cuts out silent.

Looking at the specs for the Xmod, it says you need a 1000Mhz CPU - ok fine, but it's suddenly dawned on me - this laptop scales the CPU speed, and CPU-Z tells me that it runs most of the time at 800Mhz. (It does run at 1200Mhz when stretched).

I HAVE disabled the Intel Speedstep option in the BIOS, but no avail, the CPU continues to run at 800Mhz.

I now assume that Windows (XP SP2) itself is doing the job - i have gone into power saving options, but that is only about screen, hard drives etc etc.

Any ideas please?

[MSIC]

Ok my apologies, have realised that you can change this setting providing that Speedstep is ENABLED in the BIOS - have changed the profile to "Home/Office desk" and CPU is running at max now.

Unfortunately, the sound issue remains.

Maybe it still is USB, but maybe time for a new laptop

[streetster]

simple question, but are there any new drivers/updates for the external soundcard? looks like there was a new firmware released last month here

what else have you got running in the background when you try to play a sound

what is the CPU usage like - is it getting maxed out - if so the CPU should've been stepped up to 1200mhz anyway...

[MSIC]

All fair points - Creative makes a big noise about not needing any drivers at all for it, you should just plug it in and go, but this is just frustrating in my book. That said, i was unaware of a firmware update, so that could be really useful thank you. Although it only talks about monitoring inputs, at this stage i'll try anything. I also havent watched the CPU usage, and i agree that it should have auto-increased the speed, but in the end that turns out not to be the problem anyway.
This is very frustrating, and i wouldnt mind if it was just a general frustration, but am planning on using my laptop to DJ my wedding, and the date is just over 2 weeks from now.
Cheers

[this_is_gav]

Have you tried a USB hub, one which can take it's own power from a wall socket?

You might also try using the basic MS USB drivers if the Intel ones were installed (check in Device Manager who made the driver).

Bit of a weird one.

[MSIC]

Have you tried a USB hub, one which can take it's own power from a wall socket?

Yep, see post 1, sorry if that wasn't clear enough.

Bit of a weird one.

Certainly is.

Regarding the USB drivers, will give that a try. I assume that you manually tell it what to use instead of the 'best fit' option.

[this_is_gav]

Sorry, obviously skimmed rather than taking it all in. My bad.

Yeah, just go into Device Manager, go to the USB Controllers section, right-click one of the controllers (Intel 82801G etc or whatever yours is) hit Update Driver (No if the hardware wizard pops up), Next, Install from a list or specific location, Don't search, I will choose the driver..., and then choose Standard Universal PCI to USB Host Controller (or whatever the alternative is named, as my desktop differs to my laptop).

[MrP]

is the laptop USB 1 or USB2??

[MSIC]

It's USB 2 as far as i can tell (windows XP tells me it is in device manager).
Also got the following reply from Creative's tech support:

Thank you for reaching us at Creative Technical Support; we appreciate the opportunity to assist you.

If I understand your problem correctly, your Xmod produces popping sound on your laptop but works fine on your desktop.
If I have misunderstood your concern, please feel free to let me know.

I apologize for any inconvenience caused from this experience. Please allow me to assist you in resolving the issue.

I would require you to try the following:

1. Connect the Xmod to the BACK USB port of your laptop.

2. Disable the background applications.

- Click START. Go to RUN and type MSCONFIG. Then click OK.
- Click SELECTIVE STARTUP and then uncheck LOAD STARTUP GROUP ITEMS.
- Apply the changes and reboot the computer when prompted.
- Disconnect all other USB devices.

3. Disable the onboard soundcard of your laptop.

Here is some additional information from the knowledgebase articles which you might find useful in resolving your issue.

http://uk.europe.creative.com/suppor...?l=3&sid=24669
[X-Fi Sound Cards Crackling and Popping]

If you have tried the above and are still experiencing issue, please reply to this communication citing each of the troubleshooting steps
that you have taken and what the result were.

I sincerely apologize for any inconvenience that you have experienced and hope that I have provided you with enough information to resolve
your issue.

Thank you once again for contacting Creative Technical Support Services.

If you need further assistance, please respond with the original correspondence so that we can continue working with you.

Have a nice day.

I'll try out all the above, and should have a full idea of what's happening in about an hour

[MSIC]

Rats - still not there.
Things have changed a little - instead of now fully stopping (which appears to have been because the music application thought the external soundcard was no longer available and therefore paused the audio), we get a silence for approx 1 second every 30 or so seconds, before audio returns. The application no longer pauses. Still, a 1 second gap every so often doesnt cut the mustard.
I really appreciate the ideas, but i reckon i'm simply going to borrow someone elses laptop for the job and chalk this up to 'magic'.

[MSIC]

Have emailed creative again, and whilst their reply was certainly quick, i'm not absolutely sure that it was human generated....

Thanks for getting back with us; sorry that the suggestions previously provided didn?t resolve your issue. Let's see what we can do to get you taken care of.

>From the description you have provided, I can see that you are still having problems with yourXmod.

Please be informed that there has been no compatibility issues regarding the Xmod.

I would suggest that you try the Xmod on another Windows XP computer and check whether the same problem persists.

If you are still experiencing issues, then we may need to schedule your product in for repair/replacement.

Please respond to this thread and fill in the following information so that we can begin the RMA process.

Do you already have a CRS number?

- First/Last Name:
- Daytime Delivery Address (Weekdays, 9am to 5pm) where someone can sign
for the package:
- Contact Telephone Number (Could you please let me know if it is OK to
have this printed on the package as it aids the courier on delivery?):
- Brief Description of Problem:

Kindly get back to us as soon as possible so that we would be able to assist you further.

I sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused to you.

Thank you once again for contacting Creative Technical Support Services.

Shame really, but then again i shouldnt have expected too much. Time to borrow another laptop...