# What to do about Ableton problems
**URL:** https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940
**Category:** General Discussion
**Created:** [December 11, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940 "2010-12-11T19:01:49Z")
**Posts on this page:** 14
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Lambox](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Lambox)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2010, 7:01pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/1 "2010-12-11T19:01:49Z")
**What to do about Ableton problems**
I have spent the last few weeks learning Ableton Live in and out, and I have decided that I want to start using it full time instead of FL, and I’m considering buying the full version.
And that was all good until I started having problems. Randomly, the CPU meter will start spiking until I start to get clipping (it slowly gets worse and worse). Obviously, since I want to use Live in a performance setting, this is completely unacceptable. The CPU spike _are in Ableton only_, a quick look at the task manager shows no CPU spiking at all.
I have looked everywhere for a solution to this on line. I have reformatted my HD, updated drivers, disabled devices, tried different buffer sizes. You name it, and I’ve tried it. I also tried emailing Ableton and still haven’t heard back from them.
So what do I do? I’m running Vista right now. Should I take a risk and go buy XP, which might not even help? Or should I go buy a new computer (which would be another PC), which still might not even help?
Edit: If I were going to buy a new computer, the best time to do it would be in the coming weeks. I’ll actually have money.
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### Author:  [@djsakebomb](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/djsakebomb)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2010, 7:15pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/2 "2010-12-11T19:15:07Z")
I’ve never heard of that happening, but your best bet would be to post on the following two forums, as people here mostly use Traktor.
Ableton Live DJ
Ableton Forums
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### Author:  [@padi\_04](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/padi_04)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/3 "2010-12-11T19:52:19Z")
ableton doesnt like vista
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### Author:  [@mostapha](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/mostapha)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2010, 8:27pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/4 "2010-12-11T20:27:24Z")
I’d try to offer my help, but I haven’t used Ableton on Windows in about 5 years.
Maybe read up on DPC latency and figure out if your laptop has a problem with it?
You could try XP?
Or you could do the easy thing and get an Apple. Seriously…what’s wrong with things being easy for a change?
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### Author:  [@Lambox](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Lambox)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2010, 9:15pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/5 "2010-12-11T21:15:00Z")
> [@mostapha](#):
>
> I’d try to offer my help, but I haven’t used Ableton on Windows in about 5 years.
>
> Maybe read up on DPC latency and figure out if your laptop has a problem with it?
> You could try XP?
>
> Or you could do the easy thing and get an Apple. Seriously…what’s wrong with things being easy for a change?
I already looked into the DPC issue. Nothing.
I would love to get a Macbook but I’m a poor student and coming up with an extra $1,000 on top of tuition is just not happening… 😞
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### Author:  [@djfrogstar](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/djfrogstar)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2010, 9:18pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/6 "2010-12-11T21:18:10Z")
> [@](#):
>
> ableton doesnt like vista
I had the same exact thing with vista pc aids edition.
A new laptop is the way to go.. I went to best buy.. asked for open box.. got a 900$ laptop for 700$ , even brand new they are over the top cheap.
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### Author:  [@greatwhitedope](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/greatwhitedope)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/7 "2010-12-11T21:57:52Z")
> [@Lambox](#):
>
> I already looked into the DPC issue. Nothing.
>
> I would love to get a Macbook but I’m a poor student and coming up with an extra $1,000 on top of tuition is just not happening… 😞
When does it happen?
What version are you on?
You should definitely be on at least 8.2 if you have Live 8. If it’s cracked then you’re s.o.l. most likely and buying the software should help.
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### Author:  [@Lambox](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Lambox)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2010, 10:40pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/8 "2010-12-11T22:40:35Z")
It happens only after I’ve been using Ableton on one project for a while. This includes if I save a file and come back to it later.
I’m using the newest version.
I’m not using a crack, it’s actually the trial version I’ve been using while I learn.
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### Author:  [@padi\_04](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/padi_04)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2010, 11:10pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/9 "2010-12-11T23:10:34Z")
try XP or get a used macbook. old macs still perform a lot better than most of the pcs around, even with lower specs
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### Author:  [@Lambox](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Lambox)
#### Post date: [December 11, 2010, 11:48pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/10 "2010-12-11T23:48:17Z")
> [@](#):
>
> try XP or get a used macbook. old macs still perform a lot better than most of the pcs around, even with lower specs
I’m kind of leaning towards the Macbook option, especially because I can sell the laptop that I have now.
Does anyone have any experience buying older/refurbished Macbooks?
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### Author:  [@LanceBlaise](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/LanceBlaise)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2010, 12:29am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/11 "2010-12-12T00:29:14Z")
never had a single problem on any of my Macs, but I know so many people who hve had problems with Ableton and PCs…
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### Author:  [@Maxted](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/Maxted)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2010, 1:17am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/12 "2010-12-12T01:17:43Z")
> [@Lambox](#):
>
> I’m kind of leaning towards the Macbook option, especially because I can sell the laptop that I have now.
>
> Does anyone have any experience buying older/refurbished Macbooks?
I bought a refurbished White Macbook 13.3, 2.4Ghz, 2GB Ram, 250GB HD for £625 off a refurb specialist on Ebay. Apart from a little cosmetic damage it is bang on, no problems yet.
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### Author:  [@mostapha](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/mostapha)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2010, 1:31am UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/13 "2010-12-12T01:31:58Z")
Just make sure you get it somewhere you can return it. If they’ll accept returns, they probably won’t sell you a POS.
Also, if you have an AmEx, use that…AmEx has a buyer protection program that’s really good…at least, they used to. Check on that before you get one if you don’t already have it.
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### Author:  [@photojojo](https://forum.djtechtools.com/u/photojojo)
#### Post date: [December 12, 2010, 5:04pm UTC](https://forum.djtechtools.com/t/what-to-do-about-ableton-problems/16940/14 "2010-12-12T17:04:44Z")
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