Hello Forum people! I am having the same audio problem described in this thread:
Sound skipping/stuttering

I thought upgrading to Win 7 and or a RAM upgrade would fix it, but after some pertinent research, I'm not sure that will solve it at all. I haven't done it.

Before I play a DVD, for example, I disable or 'end process' on almost anything using RAM, and it still happens.



I did a factory-fresh re-install, and it still happens. I don't expect to solve it, now, just want to understand it. Is this a known issue with Vista?

I have a Dell Inspiron 1545 with Vista Home Prem x32, 4 GB RAM, and the audio is IDT HD Codecs.

Whatever other info you need, let me know! Thanks!

Sorry - it's been so long since I posted in a forum looking for help. I should have given more info.

I updated the driver for the IDT HD Audio CODEC yesterday to 6.10.0.6124, although the system told me the most updated were installed. I found a more recent one, and manhandled it into place. So, yes, I have the latest, although there was nothing indicating a problem.

I'll run Speccy and re-post.

Ok, for Audio, I was on the right track:

Audio
Sound Card
IDT High Definition Audio CODEC
Playback Devices
Speakers / Headphones (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC) (default)
Independent (R.T.C.) Headphones (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Recording Devices
Internal Mic (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC) (default)
Microphone / Line In (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)
Rec. Playback (IDT High Definition Audio CODEC)

Ok - Wow. Their audio driver is much more recent. I can update it, but I feel confused: Why is this stuttering now? I've had the system since 2008, and it just started stuttering this year.

Ok, that doesn't matter - I'll update the audio and see if it works. I have a much bigger question. Should I be updating everything? I mean, I'm not having other trouble. Like I mentioned, I re-loaded a factory installation because of the audio issue, alone. (But, it was back immediately - imagine my joy!) When I first started playing around with computers, the philosophy was more like 'don't fix it if it ain't broke' - We didn't flash BIOS or do anything except for trouble-shooting. So - my BIOS right now is A05, and this Dell page shows A14, for example. Should I just wave everything over and see how things run? I do routine backups, so I'm not worried about f-ing it all up - if I have to, I have a Vista image.

I appreciate the help. I think I'll do the audio driver asap, and see if it works. A DVD skipped today, so the 'latest' one I got yesterday didn't fix it. I play DVDs with VLC, usually, btw.

Thanks again for the help as this goes - just trying to understand, and save $ by avoiding upgrading. I like Vista, and it seems like it should be able to run on 4 gigs of RAM. The only reason I was considering Win 7 was to go 64 bit, to add RAM in the hopes this was a RAM issue, but I increasingly doubt that.

Yyyy-ok. Welcome back to my issue!

Here's what's happened so far: Almost nothing! I am a college prof and I had to read papers and submit grades for 40 students. That's all finished now, and I am ready for a summer full of clean audio!

I had downloaded all the updates from Dell, but some wouldn't go. I mean, they'd unpack but then nothing would happen. There doesn't seem to be any 'setup.exe' to run, nor any way to know how to start things going. Some installed just fine, and nothing has crashed. I am still stuttering.

My plan is to do a new factory install - I'm the champion of backups - and update everything all at once, finding a way to run the ones I have no idea how to run. (Might ask for help with that.) This will also mean Vista SPs, bios, drivers and all utilities.

Then, if I can find this thread again (j/k!) I'll come back asking for/begging for help.

This update was more for the bump. See you soon!