I've tried not asking, realising just how many types of these problems you see but it seems like I've tried everything and yet still Avid is not starting up. So I hope you don't mind me offering my problem as well.

It get's to 'Initializing Audio' and then just does nothing. When I go to 'Windows Task Manager' it says it's not responding. So after coming on here reading that I wasn't alone in this I went and baught a Soundbalster card to no avail, changed the drivers did everything that was suggested and it didn't work. So then I tried buying more RAM reading that sometimes it gives up looking for the Audio if it can't handle it, but it's still not working.

It started about a month ago with Avid Xpress, so I upgraded it to Media Composer and after it worked once it hasn't worked since.

Any idea's? At this point I'm up for anything....although I'm hoping I wont have to spend more money then I already have.

I realise you may want my computer specifics so....

Elite Inpsire SO54644-0015

Pentium (R) D CPU

2.80GHz, 2.00GB or RAM

As I say, any help you can give would be greatly appreciated.

Hi,

Usually the Soundblaster card fixes it.  What specific Soundblaster card did you get?

good luck,
Carl

also check if there are any USB devices with audio capability connected.. mic, webcam etc etc..

Menno

Webcams in particular have been known to interfere with sound on Avid.

Hi,

The list of things to try includes:

1. Get a new card (the Soundblaster Audigy 2 and Audigy SE work; you've already done this, but with what card?)
2. Try different audio card drivers
3. Unplug any USB items that may be conflicting (as the others have said, this would be webcams, microphones, printers, etc)
4. Change your Windows Mixer settings

good luck,
Carl

 Thanks for getting back to me.

The Soundblaster card that I baught was an Audigy SE 7.1

I do not have a web cam but I tired disconnecting the USB linked to the printer and it did no good.

I updated the drivers when I got the new card but I have not tried different ones. Are there any in particular that you would recommend?

And, how do you mean change the Windows Mixer settings?

Thanks again.

 Hi,

In Windows XP go to the Control Panel and then go to Sounds.  One of the tabs should bring up your audio card settings, where you can specify what audio device Windows uses.  Switch it to your Soundblaster card.

good luck,
Carl

Ah yes, I've already done that. Sorry, I didn't quite understand at first.

It's still not working. Any other idea's please?

Hi,

Yours is the first post I've seen where installing an Audigy SE card didn't solve the problem.  At this point I'd try reinstalling Media Composer.

good luck,
Carl

 Lol, I've already tried that as well. You can see my problem. I was so hopeful when I thought it was just the soundcard. I really don't understand why it's not working.

Do you think reinstalling Avid Xpress Pro would work instead?

1. Hello. Did you ever fix the problem. I am going through hell right now trying to make my system work. 

In my device manager, my soundcard shows up as a "Creative Sb Audigy" Does anyone know if this conflicts with my system.

This may (or not) be related to the DAE not connected problems I've been having. In my case, MC fires up OK. The first time I open the Audio Tool, it works. After about 30 secs, MC3 crashes. After that DAE won't connect unless I re-install the application.

creative is ok and should work. Driver versions? QT version?

jknikman -Thank you so much for the reply! And for trying to help. I am not at my PC right now but when i am i will quote the driver versions.

My Quicktime version is 7.5.5

The odd thing about this issue is that MC was launching and working with the onboard audio prior to installing the Audigy sound card. I only installed the Audigy sound card when MC stopped launching. Nothing was installed between now and then.