Audio degradation

[Louise]

Hi!

When I connect to someone using voice chat, I can hear them OK for the first
5 seconds or so, and then their signal just breaks up and all I get is
static. Has anyone run into this and/or know how to fix it? They can hear me
fine the whole time, but I can't hear them.

I used to have the opposite problem so I've unchecked the QoS box, and the
Audio Wizard shows no problems. Enabling or disabling the firewall doesn't
make a difference, and I've also bumped the audio quality down in the sound
options in case that changes things (nope). MSN 6.0 and Windows Messenger
both have the same problem.

Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,

Louise

[Quaoar]

Louise wrote:
> Hi!
>
> When I connect to someone using voice chat, I can hear them OK for
> the first 5 seconds or so, and then their signal just breaks up and
> all I get is static. Has anyone run into this and/or know how to fix
> it? They can hear me fine the whole time, but I can't hear them.
>
> I used to have the opposite problem so I've unchecked the QoS box,
> and the Audio Wizard shows no problems. Enabling or disabling the
> firewall doesn't make a difference, and I've also bumped the audio
> quality down in the sound options in case that changes things (nope).
> MSN 6.0 and Windows Messenger both have the same problem.
>
> Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
>
> Louise

Here are the things I do when stuff like this happens: Run Disk Cleanup
Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Cleanup, then
Start/Run/type in: msconfig [ok]/Select the Startup Tab. This is a list
of the programs that are loaded at startup. They include things like
needed virus, firewall, keyboard apps. They might include programs you
really don't need that are taking up processor power. Use this site to
determine what each of these do, and uncheck those that are not
required:
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.htm#Select

Next, defragment your HD. Start/All Programs/Accessories/System
Tools/Disk Defragmentor. If defrag says it's not necessary, do it
anyway.

These three items will help with processor and HD performance which
might be contributing to poor audio processing in Messenger. If the
problem persists, then you might need additional RAM: 128MB is really
not enough RAM for audio/video - 256MB is the "sweet spot" for XP
performance.

Q

[Louise]

Hi Quaoar,

Thanks for taking the time to give me some tips. I guess I should have
initially put my system specs as well. My computer is about a week old, 2.4
G P4 processor, 80 GB hard drive, 512MB RAM, so I can't see memory being a
problem (though you're right, it does smell like that sort of thing at first
glance). Also, I am confused as to why the outgoing audio would be fine
while incoming would be so hopelessly messed up. I'm wondering if it might
be the virus checker? (I've got McAfee Security Center)

Thanks,

Louise


"Quaoar" > wrote in message
...
> Louise wrote:
> > Hi!
> >
> > When I connect to someone using voice chat, I can hear them OK for
> > the first 5 seconds or so, and then their signal just breaks up and
> > all I get is static. Has anyone run into this and/or know how to fix
> > it? They can hear me fine the whole time, but I can't hear them.
> >
> > I used to have the opposite problem so I've unchecked the QoS box,
> > and the Audio Wizard shows no problems. Enabling or disabling the
> > firewall doesn't make a difference, and I've also bumped the audio
> > quality down in the sound options in case that changes things (nope).
> > MSN 6.0 and Windows Messenger both have the same problem.
> >
> > Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
> >
> > Louise
>
> Here are the things I do when stuff like this happens: Run Disk Cleanup
> Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Cleanup, then
> Start/Run/type in: msconfig [ok]/Select the Startup Tab. This is a list
> of the programs that are loaded at startup. They include things like
> needed virus, firewall, keyboard apps. They might include programs you
> really don't need that are taking up processor power. Use this site to
> determine what each of these do, and uncheck those that are not
> required:
> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.htm#Select
>
> Next, defragment your HD. Start/All Programs/Accessories/System
> Tools/Disk Defragmentor. If defrag says it's not necessary, do it
> anyway.
>
> These three items will help with processor and HD performance which
> might be contributing to poor audio processing in Messenger. If the
> problem persists, then you might need additional RAM: 128MB is really
> not enough RAM for audio/video - 256MB is the "sweet spot" for XP
> performance.
>
> Q
>
>

[Jonathan Kay [MVP]]

Greetings Louise,

Also make sure that your contact has unchecked the QoS option as well.
____________________________________________
Jonathan Kay
Windows MVP, Messenger
Associate Expert
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/
Messenger Resources - http://messenger.jonathankay.com

"Louise" > wrote in message ...
> Hi!
>
> When I connect to someone using voice chat, I can hear them OK for the first
> 5 seconds or so, and then their signal just breaks up and all I get is
> static. Has anyone run into this and/or know how to fix it? They can hear me
> fine the whole time, but I can't hear them.
>
> I used to have the opposite problem so I've unchecked the QoS box, and the
> Audio Wizard shows no problems. Enabling or disabling the firewall doesn't
> make a difference, and I've also bumped the audio quality down in the sound
> options in case that changes things (nope). MSN 6.0 and Windows Messenger
> both have the same problem.
>
> Any help or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thanks,
>
> Louise
>
>