Running XP on Pentium M 2.2, CPU activity max 25% during playback. Using direct sound or direct sound 2.0 through external USB sound card to pre-amp. Real-time priority, max thread priority, wav format, no DSP, no replay gain, etc. Tried different buffer settings, no changes. Can you protect critical code in foobar so it is not interrupted by another process/program, if this is the problem?
Any thoughts on this? I am banging my head here, and it hurts

Does waveout mode do it too?

I have tried all output methods in 0.8.3 version, all same. Kernel does not work at all though. Downloaded therefore the newest Beta to check, but same clicks. In 0.9RC I am not able to change output, only default possible (which is direct??)

A friend of mine have tested the USB 1.1 soundcard (PCM2707 based) and Foobar, but he does not have this problem. After boot Foobar dont see USB card, but controlpanel sees it. If I toggle on-off internal soundcard in control panel, then Foobar suddenly sees the USB device and output device can be set to USB. Strange. My friend have to start-shut-down-start Foobar before it sees the USB card. Windows mixer etc is disabled, all audio options in control panel are 'greyed out', which is recommended for max audiophile performance. I have fantastic sound in between clicks on my high end stereo system, but these clicks ruins the music. My laptop is a HP/Compaq, running stable and fine on other typical office applications.
Real strange and frustrating