I have been having problems with LAME either shutting down my PC altogether, giving me an "It is ok to shut down your computer" screen, locking up after giving me a "LAME has caused an error" message, BSOD'ing on me, giving fatal exception messages

I'm using EAC v0.95 pre-beta 4 which reads the disc just fine, but while LAME is encoding, I'll get one to three error message boxes which I can click ok to close, and then I get the errors/problems described above.

In researching this problem, I've tested new AND different memory sticks (one symptom suggested it might be this) to no avail, same problem, tried a different CD, with mixed results (some rip and encode, others, same issue), tried another hard drive (again, a suggestion of what it might be) - no dice on this.

I had previously started ripping my collection using LAME 3.95, and had successful rips and encoding with literally HUNDREDS of discs with NO problems whatsoever. After finding you folks here (through another site suggesting you and utilizing the methods recommended here) and downloading the 3.90.3 version, I set about re-ripping and encoding with that version of LAME based on the recommendations here, and its requirement to rip using that version at the other site. I have had nothing BUT problems with this version of LAME.

Can someone suggest anything I may not have thought of?

I'm using Win98SE
(used it with the other version of LAME no problems, so that "upgrade to XP" bugs the SNOT out of me since 98 works with a NEWER version of LAME)
The EAC version mentioned above
The LAME version mentioned above

Is there any other information I can give that might be needed to diagnose/solve this, and can anyone PLEASE help me solve this problem?

If I didn't already shave my head, I'd be bald and in pain from ripping my hair out!

Your assistance is GREATLY appreciated!

(oh, and hello!)

You have flakey hardware. (Mainboard or CPU most likely)

EDIT: Ok, so you tested RAM. That makes mainboard or cpu the most likely offenders.

If you're ripping to preset medium, standard or extreme, I'd suggest taking 3.96.1 for a test drive.
Many people here prefer it over 3.90.3.

In such cases, the culprit if often the cpu. Usually the error vanishes if you reduce your cpu clock.

Unless they change the standards on me (which I HIGHLY doubt, Dibrom's compile is the highest standard they follow, thus far) I can't, although I haven't deleted any of the rips I did with 3.95.

Thanks for the CPU tip. I've got one I can swap out, I'll try the underclock first....I've got a new board coming from NewEgg I didn't want to have to set up so quickly, but...

I'll try those first two things and report back on the results. The mobo will take another day or so, tho.

I have a CD that ALWAYS produces this error, but at different positions on the disc that I can test this out with. I'm adding this info because I don't know if it'll help diagnose or trip something for you guys


10 track CD - audio book

NEVER happens on the first track, but has the error problems mentioned from as early as the 2nd track, and as late as the 9th track...can't say about the 10th, as I've NEVER been able to encode that far before an error wiped out the rest.

I'm off to try the underclock

No options anywhere to set/change the FSB, multiplier, nothing.

The only thing I can change is the CAS for the memory. It was set at the rating recommended, I tried all the others...no changes.

I swapped out the proc for a different one (although a touch slower). That made it through until the 8th file encoded, but no further.

Test your machine with Prime95. If the test fails then your hardware is certainly flaky. If prime95 passes and something like CPUBurn causes crashes then you have inadequate cooling.

Several older boards ( ABIT, Soyo, and others ) had a bad run of capacitors. They would leak over time and cause the board to become unstable.
Look for a barrel shaped component, usually green or black in color, with a silver top.
If the silver top is split along the x pattern, it is toast.

How the heck can I delete these double posts?

Well, it's not the answer I was looking for, but at least I know to give it up on this machine! I ran this, and there IS a problem, so I gotta give it a go on another machine Thanks for the tip on Prime95....at least I know I've got crap for hardware, now.

I should be getting a new mobo today, so now I've got a reason to set it up quick-like.

Thanks for all the help!

oh, and I checked the caps too. Don't see anything looking too bad, but I'll definitely inspect it more closely when I pull it out.