slow disk audio
SYSTEM:
I'm on an 8-core 2.8GHz Intel Xeon with 10 GB RAM, 10.6.8 using Logic 9.1.7. in 64-bit. I keep my Logic files on a separate WD 1TB drive that is only 50% capacity.
ISSUE:
I am getting a "Disk is too slow or System Overload" error when I add audio to my session. In this last session I had only 14 stereo files, no plug-ins - audio only. And there seems to be no rhyme or reason in regards to the I/O LED being low or spiking and stopping the file from playing. I know it can't be a Sudden Motion Sensor because 1) aren't those only on lap tops? and 2) my computer is perfectly still and I get this error whether my file is playing on any one of my other 3 internal HDDs.
I've been reading similar discussions all over this board and there doesn't seem to a be a solution that's worked. I've fussed with the audio settings, changing my buffer range from medium to large, my buffer size is always at 1024 when mixing, Track/Mute is at SLOW RESPONSE, and Sample Accurate Information changed to OFF. I've even moved my session to a different internal HDD and the same thing occurs. I've repaired permissions, run Disk Warrior and TechTools Pro 6 and AppleJack, deleted preferences, blah blah blah.
I'm starting to think that there is no solution to this problem and that Logic and/or this computer is buggy or maybe this is totally normal and I'm expecting too much from this computer. Any idea what might be going on and if there is a fix to this (other than switching to Nuendo on Windows)?
Logic Pro, Mac OS X (10.6.8)