Software help archive

A read-only archive of old serato.com help threads.

SL freezes for 10 seconds only 1 time every night within 1 hour of playing.

Product
Scratch Live
Version
2.0.0
Hardware
Rane SL1
Computer
PC
OS
Platform
-
DjLexXxus 2:36 PM - 1 December, 2011
OS: WinXP Pro
Computer: Acer Aspire 9412WSMi
Ram: 2GB
HDD: 500gb

When playing, SL will freeze for 10 seconds within the first hour of playing.
I have tried to install on a new 500gb HDD with a new install of Win XP Pro
with full updates and not updated and I still get the freezing.
I have reported this years ago, but no one had ever gotten back to me.
This makes me seriously look bad as a professional DJ.
I recently tried this on the SL 4 and it also freezes using the SL4 with the most up to date
software.

I would really appreciate it if you guys could fix this problem.
I would also appreciate a reply to this email.

If you require any further info from me that I have mistakenly not given you, please inform me.

Sincerely,
Jason R.C.
Rane, Support
Zach S 5:30 PM - 1 December, 2011
Hello Jason,

Do you notice a USB light popping on at the top of the screen when this pause occurs?

At this point please open SSL.
Click the 'files' tab.
Click the 'rescan id3 tag' tab.
Let it finish scanning and then unplug your Rane hardware and press 'analyze files'.
If it starts analyzing files let it do its thing.
Once its done analyzing look through your 'all' section and delete ANY corrupt files found.

Give it a test after that and let me know if that has any effect.
DjLexXxus 6:43 PM - 1 December, 2011
Ok I will try that. Thanks Zach.
I'll let you know whats up in a few days.

Cheers.
Rane, Support
Zach S 7:26 PM - 1 December, 2011
Coolio:)
DjLexXxus 1:26 PM - 7 December, 2011
Ok, right at the last 2 minutes of my set last night it froze again.

I did exactly what you told me to do about the broken files.

This time I was using SL3 with software version 2.3.1 (23103)

hmmmm, now what?

*J
Rane, Support
Zach S 4:43 PM - 7 December, 2011
Hm.. ok.. do you have any video files in your library?

At this point.. if you rescan your id3 tags, let it finish scanning, and then immediately click the analyze files tab does it start analyzing any files?
DjLexXxus 10:12 PM - 8 December, 2011
I noticed that one of the files in my list that is a very new track would freeze on one of the scan bars (I have a duo core).

I deleted that file and replaced it and it scanned no problem after that but yes, it only started to scan the new tracks I just recently added.

I'm going to do a run test when I wake up...

Going to bed now.

:-P
Rane, Support
Zach S 10:15 PM - 8 December, 2011
Cool.. let us know how you get along:)
DjLexXxus 9:15 PM - 14 December, 2011
Ok, it has happened again......

By the way, no video files.

Whats the next step?
pueblofunky 9:22 PM - 14 December, 2011
I've the same mysterious problem with my DJ Laptop running Windows XP, external hard disc via USB 2.0.

One reason could be that Windows is doing some work behind and no software (Serato) reacts (except the mouse ;-) ).

Until 2.3.0 (or 2.2.0) I've noticed it "more often" while using 10-12 smart crates. After using normal crates the problem seems to be removed but still happen one time during the dj night.

However, the current track plays behind but you can do nothing - e.g. prepare/search the next track. If the current track is at the end you have to start again (on CD player/turntable).
DjLexXxus 9:27 PM - 14 December, 2011
ya, I'm using an external hard drive also.

When it freezes, the entire computer freezes, even the mouse.

I'm not sure what you mean by "Smart Crates" though...

It just freezes for 10 seconds then continues to play right after that.
pueblofunky 9:55 PM - 14 December, 2011
"Smart Crates" - the blue icon at the bottom to create a crate with a logic ...
There is always a "rule" behind and takes more processor time.

But in the meantime I know that this is not the problem.

On my DJ Laptop "nothing" is running. Only Windows XP 32-bit SP3 incl. all Hotfixes and Serato is installed (also Opera, Directory Opus, Tag & Rename - but not running during djing of course).

It's mysterious but it happens - except the past 2 nights I'd no issue but maybe it happend during my dj partner has played and I didn't detect it? ;-)

I've thought my dj laptop is too old ;-)

And just remembering ... it happens since Serato 2.0 - never with 1.x !! For you too?
Rane, Support
Zach S 10:35 PM - 14 December, 2011
Lexxxus,

It sounds like your computer is processing something else when this is occurring.
For example, your fan may be coming on thus taking priority over Scratch Live, thus causing the freeze.
What are the exact specs of your computer?
Know that the newer versions of Scratch Live are definitely more cpu intensive so you may only be seeing this occur with the newer versions.
If your computer is just around the minimum system requirements you may need to up it in order to run the current versions.

I would also suggest doing what is suggested in this article -->serato.com to strip down your computer's processes and stream line it for Scratch Live.
DjLexXxus 11:22 AM - 15 December, 2011
I personally think just because the computer is trying to process something else doesn't mean it would send it into a complete system freeze... There is something else there
that is wrong.....


I'll try the article to streamline it for SL and see how that works...

Here is my Laptop specs found here - reviews.cnet.com , and also as below:

Acer Aspire 9412WSMi - Core Duo T2300 1.66 GHz - 17.1" TFT specifications

General
Platform Technology Intel Centrino Duo
Built-in Devices Bluetooth antenna , Stereo speakers , Wireless LAN antenna
Width 15.7 in
Depth 11.6 in
Height 1.6 in
Weight 8.2 lbs
Localization Netherlands
Processor
Processor Intel Core Duo T2300 / 1.66 GHz
Multi-Core Technology Dual-Core
Data Bus Speed 667.0 MHz
Chipset Type Mobile Intel 945PM Express
Cache Memory
Type L2 cache
Installed Size 2.0 MB
RAM
Installed Size 2.0 GB / 4.0 GB (max)
Technology DDR2 SDRAM
Configuration Features 2 x 512 MB
Storage Controller
Storage controller type IDE
Storage
Floppy Drive None
Hard Drive 120.0 GB - 5400.0 rpm
Storage Removable None
Hard drive type Portable
Optical Storage (2nd)
2nd optical storage type None
Optical Storage
Type DVD±RW (+R DL) / DVD-RAM - Integrated
Read Speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD)
Write Speed 24x (CD) / 8x (DVD±R) / 2.4x (DVD+R DL)
Rewrite Speed 4x (CD) / 4x (DVD±RW) / 2x (DVD-RAM)
Card Reader
Card reader type 5 in 1 card reader
Supported flash memory cards MultiMediaCard , SD Memory Card , Memory Stick , Memory Stick PRO , xD-Picture Card
Display
Display Type 17.1 in TFT active matrix
Max Resolution 1440 x 900 ( WXGA+ )
Widescreen Display Yes
Color Support 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
Features CrystalBrite
Video
Graphics Processor / Vendor PCI Express - NVIDIA GeForce Go 7300 TurboCache supporting 256MB
Video Memory 128.0 MB
Max Allocated RAM Size 128.0 MB
Audio
Audio Output Sound card
Compliant Standards Sound Blaster Pro , High Definition Audio
Features High Definition Audio
Audio Input Microphone
Notebook Camera
Camera Type Integrated
Sensor Resolution 1.3 Megapixel
Image Sensor Type CMOS
Camera Features 225 degree rotation
Input Device(s)
Input device type Keyboard , Touchpad , 4-way scroll button
Features Built-in numeric keyboard
Telecom
Modem Fax / modem
Max Transfer Rate 56.0 Kbps
Protocols & Specifications ITU V.92
Features Wake on Ring
Networking
Networking Network adapter
Wireless LAN Supported Yes
Wireless NIC Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG
Data Link Protocol Ethernet , Gigabit Ethernet , Fast Ethernet , IEEE 802.11a , Bluetooth 2.0 EDR , IEEE 802.11g , IEEE 802.11b
Features Acer SignalUp
Compliant Standards Wi-Fi CERTIFIED , IEEE 802.11g , IEEE 802.11a , IEEE 802.11b , Bluetooth 2.0
Expansion / Connectivity
Expansion Bays None
Expansion Slot(s) 1.0 (total) / 1.0 (free) x Memory - Type II , 2.0 (total) / 0.0 (free) x PC Card
Interfaces 4.0 x Hi-Speed USB - VGA - RJ-45 , 1.0 x Microphone - Input - 4 pin USB Type A , 1.0 x Audio - SPDIF output/headphones/line-out - RJ-11 , 1.0 x Audio - Phone line - Mini-phone 3.5 mm , 1.0 x Display / video - Line-in - Mini-phone 3.5 mm , 1.0 x Network - Ethernet 10Base-T/100Base-TX/1000Base-T - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15) , 1.0 x Modem
Miscellaneous
Features System password , Administrator password , Security lock slot (cable lock sold separately) , Wake on LAN
Compliant Standards ACPI 2.0
Power
Power Device External
Voltage Required AC 120/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
Battery
Technology 6-cell Lithium ion
Installed Qty 1.0
Run Time (Up To) 2.0 hour(s)
Operating System / Software
OS Provided Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 - Dutch / English / French
Software Adobe Reader , Norton AntiVirus , NTI CD-Maker , Acer Empowering Technology , Acer Launch Manager , CyberLink PowerProducer , Acer GridVista , Acer Arcade
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support 1 year warranty
Service & Support Details Traveler warranty - 1 year
Rane, Support
Zach S 5:44 PM - 15 December, 2011
Quote:
I personally think just because the computer is trying to process something else doesn't mean it would send it into a complete system freeze...

I know from experience that this is in fact possible.
Hopefully narrowing down the processes fixes it.
DjLexXxus 12:13 PM - 16 December, 2011
The seriously sounds like to me to be a flaw in the programming of Serato software. Computers are meant to multi-task by nature so if a computer is doing something by nature, Serato shouldn't go into a un-natural state (Frozen/Momentary Crash) .......

Yes, hopefully narrowing down the processes fixes it.
Rane, Support
Zach S 5:03 PM - 16 December, 2011
Let us know how you get along:)
6:00 PM, 30 Dec 2011
This help request has been closed due to inactivity.
DjLexXxus 8:58 PM - 30 December, 2011
Well it did happen tonight...... Not often but it did.
I had all of my laptop setting streamlined already actually so I'm not sure where to go from here.

LexXxus...
Rane, Support
Zach S 11:10 PM - 30 December, 2011
I think at this point I would try taking your external drive out of the equation to see if the problem still occurs when playing files from the internal drive.

This would rule in/out an issue with your external or how its communicating with your computer.
12:00 AM, 14 Jan 2012
This help request has been closed due to inactivity.