Is Windows XP 64bit the best / most stable for audio work?

[asdfdsa]

I'm having issues with win 7 and am tired of dealing with it. I need to do a clean OS install, but am wondering if I'd just be better off getting XP 64bit for a drive I'm using strictly for audio stuff. DAW, interface drivers, plugs... project + music files on a separate drive.


Thanks

edit: don't want to deal with mac, but Im mainly having driver issues (with my zed r16)

[Joe Porto]

Sometimes just doing a fresh install can get things right. It's always good to get a solid disk image backup once you have everything back up.

As far as 32bit vs. 64bit, If you have more than 4GB of RAM, and all your drivers and programs can run at 64bit, then 64 bit would be the way to go. If for nothing else than to access over the 4GB limit of 32bit.

Just remember, it's not always the OS that's futzing things up....bad drivers, unneeded autoloading software, even virus protection can really slow things down on a DAW.

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

I don't know what problems you are having, but pretty much everybody I know is way happy with Win7/64. What are your issues,maybe they can be solved?

[asdfdsa]

Originally Posted by Bill@WelcomeHome

I don't know what problems you are having, but pretty much everybody I know is way happy with Win7/64. What are your issues,maybe they can be solved?

Thanks for the replies.

My system:

win7 64 ult
i7 2600k
16gb RAM
1TB seagate HD
2TB seagate HD
Nvidia GTX460

2TB external usb drive (for backup)
usb printer/scanner

A&H ZED r16 for interface
Cubase 5 for DAW

Issues:

At first the zed was running fine with win7 and cubase, recording and playback as expected...only one minor issue being that in 96k mode I didn't get channels 17/18 (main stereo out) as being available for the ZED, which it is supposed to be available... but I could still record 16channels of 96k then playback to channel 1/2 thats routed analog to the main outs, and get away with editing etc. One merry day I plugeed in my ipod to sync some music, and the very moment it was done and I unplugged it, windows dropped the ZED and has never seen it since - weird, this happened in the end of Nov. I think.

So, I start the typical trouble shooting. Check the zed to make sure the firewire card wasn't one with an issue (there was a bad batch), it checked out fine. Uninstall all other audio devices/drivers/ disable on-board audio through BIOS. Also uninstall all anti-virus and disable windows firewall and defender. Uninstall and re-install the ZED driver (I've done atleast a dozen times). Now typically, when you install the driver, windows will have an alert prompt saying ''do you wish to make change s to the system?" - meaning that windows recognizes you're installing a driver. This prompt never appears, and I can only assume windows doesn't see the driver. You can check Device Manager and see that no A&H driver is there. You can also check the Dice control panel (driver software for zed) and see that no driver is listed.

Later, I discover that windows won't update SP1. I built this computer in Aug. or Sept. sometime, and when checking the update history in widows update, I see that it has been trying to automatically update but has failed everytime since the computer was built. So I take all the manual ways of installing the update, but it continues to fail with error code 80073701 (unknown error). I follow the microsoft trouble-shooting steps, and none work. Did windows trouble shooter (said it fixed an update) but didn't work, tried direct download and install - fail, did a windows restore point, didn't work. Tried uninstalling all other language packs (other than english) as I heard that had some weird interference and after others did that it would work, but I can't get Russian to uninstall...I dont know why, I've tried it several times, but it wont uninstall so I don't know if the language packs are the issue. If there's anyone real tech-savvy here I can post a CheckSUR log, and you can see the packet fails for the update...I'm not good enough to know what to make of it.

Also, I have this thing with the video card driver. Sometimes when I start up, the resolution will be set to VGA setttings (the resolution is messed up, like half size) and the video card will be set to a VGA driver, so I'll put the driver back to the correct NVIDIA driver and restart and it's good again - but I noticed, that one time when the card was set to the vga driver, I tried to install the ZED driver again, then tried to set the card driver to the corrrect one, and it failed to do so, some kind of corruption with the install...so that tells me there could be some kind of conflict between the drivers, or win 7 messing with them...

I've also been through many restarts and cold starts (as you can imagine) and am getting the ''Check Disk'' on startup every now and then.


Pheww. Hope you're still here after reading that

[Masaaki]

As suggested above, reinstall OS from scratch.
Your system was working before the merry day, so reinstalling the OS should recover the condition. Then, make a disk image using a utility such as acronis true image.

If reinstalling OS doesn't work, there may be a hardware problem (controller chips are fried, etc) with your interface, motherboard, etc. In that case, you have to go through customer support of these manufactures (which is a bigger pain).

[Lights]

Agreed. Worth attempting a fresh re-install from the windows 7 DVD but since this is a home-built PC I'd guess hardware failure of some kind.

[Solar]

Most stable OS that i've experienced from MSoft ever is indeed Win 7 Ult x64 bit since Win Xp Pro. A breeze on my side(knock on wood).

If you can Restore point, try that otherwise, do a Fresh Install and when installing, go Step by Step, get the latest working Drivers for your soundcards etc... and you should be good to go. Good luck

[Joe Porto]

Just bite the bullet and install Windows 7 64bit. I prefer Pro, as is it allows for networking, but doesn't have all the media BS. You paid for 16Gb of ram and haven't used more than 4Gb anyway.

You may want to go to the computer (or motherboard) manufacturer and download all the latest system drivers, and flash the MBs bios if necessary. Best to get that all organized onto a thumb drive before you take the system down.

If you don't want to waist your time on this, get a disk imaging program (ghost?), and make images along the way...one with a fresh OS install. One with drivers installed, one with windows updates, one with software installed, etc. That way, if you run into a glitch, you can back up a step and not have to start from the beginning.

[manysounds]

Stop using hacks

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

You re having too many problems to point at any one thing as being the source. I don't know -anybody- that is having problems with update. (Which doesn't mean that there aren't any, but this is the first that I have heard of such a thing.)

So I need to ask... everything in the system is legal?
Is the system loaded with a lot of free stuff?
Do you go to porn sites, questionable sites, hacker sites?

It is not likely to help, but find the free download HijackThis!, download it and run it, see what it tells you.

I pretty much NEVER recommend this as it is usually a waste of time, but in your case, with all those problems, wipe the system, re-format the hard drive, and re-install from scratch. If you skip the 're-format' step, you will have wasted your time.

[Leechlife]

Originally Posted by asdfdsa

I'm having issues with win 7 and am tired of dealing with it. I need to do a clean OS install, but am wondering if I'd just be better off getting XP 64bit for a drive I'm using strictly for audio stuff. DAW, interface drivers, plugs... project + music files on a separate drive.


Thanks

edit: don't want to deal with mac, but Im mainly having driver issues (with my zed r16)

ok if can't be cured to go to mac, but don't go back to XP. Win 7 is first os of ms where they actually did a few things right.

Still a long way to go, will see what 8 brings.

a simple win7 64 bit install once set up and only used for daw (NOTHING ELSE, dual boot for anything else ) is quite stable,
(really don't do anything else, no IPODs , no iTunes, DAW only !! and u'll be fine)

[RonGherkins]

Fresh install and a careful program by program install solved the only actual win 7 program I ever had. Every other time it's been a bad driver or failing hardware.

Reinstall before trying to switch back to xp.

[cavern]

Originally Posted by Bill@WelcomeHome

You re having too many problems to point at any one thing as being the source. I don't know -anybody- that is having problems with update. (Which doesn't mean that there aren't any, but this is the first that I have heard of such a thing.)

So I need to ask... everything in the system is legal?
Is the system loaded with a lot of free stuff?
Do you go to porn sites, questionable sites, hacker sites?

It is not likely to help, but find the free download HijackThis!, download it and run it, see what it tells you.

I pretty much NEVER recommend this as it is usually a waste of time, but in your case, with all those problems, wipe the system, re-format the hard drive, and re-install from scratch. If you skip the 're-format' step, you will have wasted your time.

I told him to do that a month ago,maybe he'll listen to you.

[valis]

I presume you've tried to use the firewire port with other devices and confirmed that it still works? Are you using the 'legacy' emulated firewire driver, the 'new' one or the one for TI chipsets?

The ZED in relation to your iPod makes me wonder if it's Gearaspi related or related to some aspi layer or bridge layer affecting whatever driver kernel they're using for the ZED firewire transport. Rule out hardware failure first, but you can look up how to remove/clean the Gearaspi driver. Technically it should only affect disks though (especially burners)...

Failures for Win7 SP1 are typically due to some patch that failed to install previously, an unresolved driver issue (triangles in device manager even if that hardware is no longer present), incomplete installs that affect drivers or .NET packs etc, and overly aggressive registry 'cleaners' that removed too much for the Service Pack installer to finish its scripting.

[asdfdsa]

Originally Posted by valis

I presume you've tried to use the firewire port with other devices and confirmed that it still works? Are you using the 'legacy' emulated firewire driver, the 'new' one or the one for TI chipsets?

The ZED in relation to your iPod makes me wonder if it's Gearaspi related or related to some aspi layer or bridge layer affecting whatever driver kernel they're using for the ZED firewire transport. Rule out hardware failure first, but you can look up how to remove/clean the Gearaspi driver. Technically it should only affect disks though (especially burners)...

Failures for Win7 SP1 are typically due to some patch that failed to install previously, an unresolved driver issue (triangles in device manager even if that hardware is no longer present), incomplete installs that affect drivers or .NET packs etc, and overly aggressive registry 'cleaners' that removed too much for the Service Pack installer to finish its scripting.

Let me try to look into that.

I'm not the one who did the OS install, I had a friend do it, and I'm trying to find out if it was a hack or anything, because it seems to act like one... I don't a get any window is not genuine prompts or anything, and the code seems legit atleast (I've had an illegitamite windows computer I bought used...biggest headache).

Will touch back

Thanks everyone

[Finnish]

A clean Win 7 64bit install and after that do a system clone image e.g. with this: Reliable backup software for server backup & disaster recovery, data backup solutions in Windows Server/Workstation and PC - EaseUS

After that do program&driver install etc, if something goes wrong you can easily do a recovery. And after a succesfull setup do another system image. Bang, you're always safe

[alphaproject]

Maybe you don't need a fresh install, just a repair install.

[Bill@WelcomeHome]

Originally Posted by alphaproject

Maybe you don't need a fresh install, just a repair install.

Given the amount and spread of the problems he's having, I would not trust anything other than a complete wipe and reformat of the hard drive and a reinstall of all drivers and software. I'd also want to check the memory and maybe the power supply. It is a radical step, one I don't usually suggest. But there is just too much going on here. Get a clean registry, fresh drivers, latest BIOS, and go from there.

[Hobbs_Won]

I just installed Win XP-64 bit the other day.....and I have to say it is, for me, better than Win 7.

It's a little bit of a pain setting up with a SSD but nothing that would deter me from doing it everytime. I always use Intel motherboards and they have great support for XP64 drivers. So I gutted some unnecessary components using nLite and slipstreamed my drivers.

Then set the partition up with Win 7 and installed XP on the partition to align the SSD.

And now I have a super fast, super smooth OS with minimal bloat!!

Comparison....

My Win 7 install OPTIMIZED with hibernate turned off was 32.8 GB

My XP64?? 4.8 GB

[Rust Creep]

Sent from my DROIDX using Gearslutz.com

[alphaproject]

Win7 64 bit installed for me was only around 29 gigs and that's with programs installed like After FX 5, and drivers and stuff. By itself it was only 13+ gigs.

Although WinXP 64 for audio only sounds the way to go to be honest. Problem is....my serial port driver doesn't like 64 bit as far as I'm hearing. It wouldn't even install in Win7 at all. No way possible...just won't install. Not sure WinXP 64 would be much different.

I like me some DX11 gaming though...so WinXP 64-bit would not serve all purposes.

[00Void]

In my humble opinion using a 10 years old operative system is pointless. if your hardware is fully supported by windows 7 (64) I think that's the best choice!
You can consider a different partition optimized for audio purposes (aero disabled, internet turned off and so on)

[valis]

I agree, as WinXP 64bit is NOT WinXP, it uses the server 2003 kernel and subsystems and so drivers may or may not even work with it. Xp64 was just an interim release to get people by until Vista6 (and I actually kept it over Vista64 for graphics work until Win7 64bit).

[fastlanestoner]

XP 64bit is definitely a nice one to ride, I don't quite understand why you've had issues with 7 bc the machines I've built w/ 7 64bit have worked wonders.

try and test out the new OS w/ your choice interface if you can. The connection of the 2 is often where many problems lie

[asdfdsa]

Ok, I got word back from the guy who did the OS, he said it was a torrented copy, but a legitimate code. He also said he's never had any issues on other systems with it before... I suppose this to be the main source of these stupid problems, but I don't know the ins and outs of torrented files or hacks, or what-have-you. Figures, the one part of the build I didn't do is messed up.

So I guess buying a legit copy of 7 (idk about XP64) is on my list. Also, I now have in mind to partition my 'C' drive to keep the current OS and files on it as is, but put the new OS on the partition (how big should I make it? 100gb?) with strictly DAW, interface +audio drivers, vid+audio editing programs, plugs, and maybe a couple other small programs - and put all the music files + project files and any other files or programs on my second internal drive (2tb, with no OS on it). Is this a good plan?

Thanks everyone, all your responses so far have been useful.

[Lights]

Why would you need to torrent the image and use a legit code? That makes no sense at all. You're paying for the code, but you can use the same DVD to install Windows as many times as you want.

I think at this point you have to assume that you have at least one piece of malware on your system (if not more). It's possible that the malware is preventing you from taking the update. I would highly suggest blowing that system away completely.

Also, you can't repartition a drive and keep what's on part of it.

Buy a legit copy of Windows. Boot your PC, put the disc in. When it gets to the point about repairing or installing fresh, choose fresh and then select your HDD and blow away all of the partitions on it. Install in the unpartitioned space.

Start fresh.

[valis]

I also would ditch the current install entirely. Backup serial/registration info for your software, passwords and such (there are browser specific plugins that can help here) and any installers you may not already have backed up and move on. While it's possible to compare the checksum of a downloaded Win7 ISO against the retail/oem/msdn/technet etc copies, it's more likely he grabbed on that was pre-cracked and has who knows what else done to it and I see little reason to run even a minor risk of rootkit or etc.

Once backed up if there's any other partitions on that drive that contain data you can consider backing them up too. I prefer to start with GPT partition scheme on a new Win7 install, with AHCI enabled in bios & etc. GPT is the default if you completely wipe & start anew on a drive during Win7 install (delete all existing partitions) but I prep my drives on a 2nd computer as well using diskpart in an elevated cmd prompt & the disk management snap-in in the management console (MMC.exe).

Once it take me about 2 days to get to the point where even the lesser used but daily apps & tools are installed/configured etc (my productivity is back to normal). If you use a DVD it takes about 30 mins for the actual install for me, and usb keys can cut that time down to 7 mins but you'll want a clean machine to run the prep tool on. Main app install for me depends on the OS, I don't install a lot of library content on Win7 as I do on OSX, but I do install several apps (like Adobe's) that take their fair share of time to install. So it's usually at least a day before I'm back to my normal workflow...

Lastly you can find OEM/SB (System Builder) versions of the OS at decent prices, I just picked up Win7 Pro 64bit SP1 Integrated OEM from Newegg by catching their email rebate on it for $20 off for about $110 total. If you don't do a lot of networking (need XP compatible shares etc) and don't care about Media Center etc then Win7 Home Premium 64bit has been as low as $79 after rebate on several sites.

Lastly, I feel that a single Win7 install is enough if you're not going to be installing new 'toys' constantly. Don't install new software constantly, keep your gaming to a level that doesn't threaten work & stays within a budget and I don't think you'll have an issue. I actually have steam on a completely different drive/partition and it's been ages since DRM or directx components caused me any grief with music apps or ASIO etc. There are some minor niggles with specific versions of graphics drivers and DPC issues, but that seems to be mostly with single monitor users on the upper end Fermi cards. And none of those issues are related to having a game installed, so you'd still be facing them anyway.

Avoid cracks if you make a living with your machine imo. The money saved is just completely out of proportion with the income you need to survive, let alone thrive.

[rksguit]

Originally Posted by 00Void

In my humble opinion using a 10 years old operative system is pointless. if your hardware is fully supported by windows 7 (64) I think that's the best choice!

Ditto Although valis has the most knowledge and information on all things computer it seems to me.

[asdfdsa]

Thanks for all the replies everyone, very knowledgeable and helpful.

I just went ahead and dropped the $100 on the OEM win 7 home from Newegg, and am gonna go the easy/fast route of installing it to my brand new (second internal) drive. I really just need to get running again, man has this been an astounding waste of time...hopefully this will be the end-all solution.

Just to double check, once win7 is up on the new drive, I can go ahead and just copy files / programs from the original drive (with the bad ver. of 7 ultimate still on it) and put them directly on the new drive w/ the new windows and no problems right?

(I've also heard the OEM windows ''locks'' itself to the mobo so it can only be used by one computer, will this have any interference on the other drive w/ another win 7 version installed?)

[Lights]

I don't think I'd plug in a potentially infected hard disk into a brand new clean system. Are these files really worth the risk?