Help/Advice needed - T61 audio problems in Vista, warranty repair?

Hi,

I feel there may be a hardware problem that is causing my audio to "glitch" when I do a simple task.

For example, listening to an mp3 through winamp or foobar (too very common programs) I will browse a forum with Firefox or open a link and I will get an audio glitch. It doesn't always happen and it's just for a quick second. But the audio will do that and then continue fine again but it's doing this under casual usage! My old centrino in XP never had this issue

I have tried repeated formats and driver installs. I'm almost confident it's not a software/driver issue.
Running Vista 32-bit Ultimate.


So basically I have to send this on it's way through warranty. I called them and they sent me an empty box and said it will take 5-7 days to get it out to me. It's a new T61 and I spent a grip on it so it's kinda irritating
Any thoughts on this

 

It could be a software issue. Have you tried some other software.

 

Maybe but that would be strange I would think

Right now i'm watching Top Gear (DIVX) in Windows Media Player and I've had absolutely no audio glitches.
But of course I'm not doing anything but watching the video.

 

I got my T61 back from repair..
they replaced the "planar card" which I guess is the whole system board.

It did not resolve the issue though. Although audio works perfectly most of the time, occasionally under normal usage (opening firefox, clicking a link, minimizing a page) I get the audio glitch. It happens playing mp3's in winamp or even videos in youtube.

I'm debating whether to send it in to repair again or maybe try one more clean install. Although I doubt that will fix it because I've done that like 4 times already.

 

anyone...?

 

Have you tried doing a clean install of vista?

 

Well, as soon as I opened the new package (thinkpad box) I saved some folders and burned them to a CD
but I formated and did a fresh Vista install.

I've even tried being very careful and using only Lenovo supported drivers and restarting after each install. I don't install any special codecs or anything weird like that. As soon as I have Vista up and ready I install Firefox, Flash, and go on Youtube and eventually encounter this audio glitch problem

 

I don't even experience this on my crappy dell on XP SP2

the thing is...I have to be doing something on the thinkpad to make it do this. Scrolling down, entering login info on page, minimizing, etc.

 

I think this may be more closely related to your choice of player. This is subject to happen anytime you tax the processor while playing an mp3 or something else. My advice is to try iTunes, WMP, and Realplayer, and maybe you can find one that works with a small footprint. BTW: How much ram do you have in the computer? I ask because that may contribute as well. I have 1GB and while running FF and Outlook my ram is 82% reserved. This a fresh Vista install as well. I haven't listened to any mp3s or anything yet because they have not been transferred to the T61p yet. I am ordering a 4GB kit to remedy this, of course.

 

there is no reason this T61 can't handle what I have open

2GB DDR2 and I use the "Multi Meter" widget and both my CPU cores and RAM usage is low so it's not like i'm burdening it

It happens under casual usage is what's so bothering

 

Oh well, there goes that idea.... I have not experienced it personally but with that beefy configuration under casual use you should be fine. Have you looked at other players and seen the same hiccups?

 

what do you mean?

 

Hi unr1,

I have the exact same problems you describe, clean Vi$ta 32 Ultimate, all latest drivers, etc. Only thing non-lenovo is WLAN driver. I was hoping, amongst other things which this machine does admirably, that I might be able to DJ at some parties with it - hardly possible with this clicking and popping going on!

Dan

 

I can say that it doesn't appear to do it using Media Player Classic though - Maybe it's a Winamp prob?