Precision M4400 Audio Stuttering

I've searched and found a lot of info on audio crackling, but I'm not quite sure if that is the issue I am having.

The best way I can describe the audio problem is that, it on occasion, once ever 30 seconds or so, music, or audio that is continuously playing will stutter and skip for a moment, like the computer is under heavy load.

I've tried things like disabling the E-SATA, installing the Intel Matrix drivers, but to no avail.

Is there a quick solution for this? The computer just got up and running again after the motherboard died on its very first day. I'd rather not have to deal with support again.

Thanks!

 

dell has a troubleshooting fix for this, call them up and they'll guide you through. i really cant remember the steps ...it worked for me

 

Try and read all the threads about this! Do a search in the top-right corner of your screen. We REALLY don't need another new thread about this i think, everything is already covered extensively

 

Thank. I actually reverted to Bios A02 and it seems to have solved the problem along with the down clocking.

 

no when i said fix i meant a proper fix, mines working properly under the latest bios rev now.

if you have prosupport its well worth calling

 

Here is a possible workaround for Dell Precision M4400 owners who are having problems getting external firewire soundcards to work. The onboard audio on the M4400 is a great let-down and anyone doing serious audio work will want to use their external gear. I had terrible trouble with constant, glitchy audio with my MOTU Traveler, under both Vista64 and XP32. In both cases I installed all the recommended Dell drivers first, in their recommended order, then my audio stuff (with awful results). So far, my system sounds fine after doing the following:

- Formatted C: drive and reinstalled XP32.

- Ran "DPC Latency Checker" which tests the system for audio suitability. (Download this, it is invaluable for audio). All OK, but noticed that flicking the laptop's wireless switch on/off caused a problem spike in DPC.

- Installed nVidia graphics drivers. All OK on DPC.

- Installed MOTU Traveler firewire soundcard drivers. All OK.

- Installed VLC media player and checked audio playback of CDs, movies, etc. All OK. (slight audio glitch when visualisation enabled in VLC, but this function is just for show)

- Adjusted XP32 as follows: "Adjust for Best Performance", "Processor For Background Services" (standard tweaks for audio work).

- Installed FL Studio 8.01 and selected MOTU ASIO driver: no glitches!! (sounded terrible before).

- Installed Cubase 4, Synchrosoft USB dongle.

- Installed Wavelab 6

- Installed Dell Touchpad driver. All progs played 24/96 audio with no glitches, all with ASIO driver. (Note: getting 300-400uS spikes in DPC here).

- Enabled NIC in BIOS, rebooted and installed R211478 Dell NIC driver to reveal the "Intel 82567LM Gigabit Network Connection".

- Checked DPC: still registering OK - all green, even when using audio progs.

- Plugged in blue network cable. Installed Norton Internet Security 2009.

- Enabled Wireless function in BIOS. Rebooted & installed Dell R194581 for Intel 5300 wireless function. All OK.



Everything audio has worked fine for two weeks now, on bios A14. I haven't installed any of the other Dell drivers. As you can see, the mini-firewire input (Ricoh chipset) on the M4400 is working fine. (I did not need to purchase an add-on firewire card based on the Texas Instrument chipset). Just remember to monitor how new progs / drivers affect your particular system by using DPC Latency Checker at every stage, then you can backtrack if necessary. My onboard audio remains disabled... Good luck!

 

I have this problem too but I want to replace the soundcard, is that possible?