I understand from reading audio forums that installing Win2000 (and I imagine XP though don't know) one can choose Standard-PC mode by pressing F5 key in which case IRQ sharing is avoided? In any case, it appears to be something one could do and at least in audio applications it can make the difference between stuttering and not, that is by not have the audio card share an IRQ with another component. For the brave or crazy or those with lots of time on there hands for repairs, one can take a chance and change to Standard AFTER a normal ACPI installation and get away with it, though it sounds like this can be iffy.Anyone tried this first hand as far as FS goes? Sounds intriguing . . .This is a re-post from the same question a year ago, that got no replies.Noel

You'd probably get better results by simply moving the sound card to a different PCI port.Allcott

Allcott, do you think eliminating IRQ sharing will have no signficant impact on smoothness or lack of stuttering, and if so, what makes you think this? Theoretical, empirical?