Fixing Sound - A7n8x - Needed to Replace External Pro Sound Card

A different approach is to try creating a platform (or partition) that employes a different foundation state then rebuilding as 'lean' a system as possible specifically around the audio hardware you want to use.  With availability of linux doing this with Linux can be a less $ expensive approach then building a new hardware system from scratch.  Particularly when current vid cards are not, as a rule, designed to play nice with dedicated Audio production cards.  Nor is this a situation in either Windows or Mac environment that is likely to improve in the near (or even distant) future.

Didn't lead with 'linux' at time of original post   because it is not a panacea but it does not appear that OP is making much headway even in diagnosis . . . So? getting rid of windows clutter can help with at least diagnosis

install a sperate partition of linux.... interesting idea...

My suggestion would be to look on ebay for a similar generation Echo Audio card to see if that works. I've just sold 2 working and one faulty Darlas plus a Darla 24 and they went for very low prices.

I think the advice to build a dedicated machine is correct especially if you move to any more modern OS. Keeping in control is all important.

I'm fresh from giving up again on trying to install Fedora 14 dual-boot. After about 4 full-blown attempts, I made a stupid mistake and had to reload from an imige I had made. Having said that, I'm finding Ubuntu on a usb stick is absolutely marvellous as a data recovery and occasional diagnostic tool when things go wrong.

OS on a stick is wild.

Have 2X RJ-45 Ethernet ports on A7N8X 2.0 MB. Testing latency, I can see using the nVIDOA port has less conflict. Still no activation of 3rd party Mona Sound Card.

DPC Latency Checker Tool

Mona Soundcard in DeviceManager xpPro SP3

Once again - re-formated xp - tested dxdiag (basic XPPro - no updates): both Nvidia / Mona Analog audio card choices test fine with direct sound tests - listening to audio output from A7N8X2.9 motherboard. No sound listening from mixer connected to breakout box.

Tried unplugging the cable from the Mona PCI card to Mona breakoutbox - Mona still shows enabled in Device Manager.... It's possible the Mona Echo Audio breakput box has failed. Possibly the cable is bad? I doubt that. Wish there was a way to test the breakout box to see if it is really DOA. Easy way to do this is simply install the Mona in a 2nd computer which I don't have.

Anyone know of a way to test the electronics of a breakout box to see if it's still alive?

Reformatted once more xppro - at this basic level no WDM PCM wav sound. NVidia sound (5.11) is fine onboard. What's missing is Mona Direct sound as testing Direct Music (DirectX / dxdiag) is silent. I know this is an older system. It was working great for the past year with Adobe Audition 1.5/ 3.01. Discovered that the "play FLV codec from "free Codecs" had a Trojan virus - did an Esset scan of the codec folder. Formatting the partition and reinstall of OS ought to take care of that. Will scan entire set of drives (int / ext).

At the worst, I build a new /better PC and possibly also buy an updated Layla/Gina3G audio interface. All this time in music I've been busy writing / producing / engineering bands I worked with trying to break the Artists / songs. It's a tough world out there. Licensing is still a goal. Life happens. Roll with the punches and do the best you can!!

Listening to the Direct X synthesizer test songs - what incredible musicianship. The world of jazz!!! Love it. Artists's with talent and dedication doing what they love. Or a damn good programmer.

Bought an Echo Audio Gina 3G - works great. Motherboard fine!! Refuse to believe Mona is DOA. To do - will order replacement D9 shielded 15 foot cable to see if ithe Mona works: Gina 3g is F/F whereas Mona needs M/M. Thought I'd test the Mona with the Gina cable. Life happens.

Cost of gear not working after 11 years of use: 7000.00 = 4500.00 - Dell XBS 1000 1GHz PIII + 1600.00 - Mackie CR 1604 Mixing Board + 900.00 - Mona / Echo Audio. Current setup: 655.00 = 400.00 - SelfBuilt AMD 2gHz / 2GB Ram PC + 255.00 Echo Gina3G soundcard. Almost 10X less. Power of technology.

Meanwhile - Vintage gear still working A+ : Revox PR99 reel-to reel; Teac 3340S Reel-to-Reel; DBX 160A (X2); Dolby 363; Telefunken V76; Telefunken V672/2; Lexicon PCM60; Neumann TLM103; 1967 Fender Blaceface Champ - Modded by Gerald Weber - transformer / feedback / tone (on/off); Juno 6 Synth; Ross Phaser pedal; Vox Wah V846; Gibson J45 acoustic guitar; 1974 Fender Tele w/EMG 85 pickups; Mojo Bass Guitar; Tascam M106 Mixer (Playback).