"I'm using a new macbook pro running windows vista"

Something seems abnormal...

Yeah, the hard drive is partitioned into two separate parts and it's kinda like having two separate computers in one. I'm not entirely sure how it works, but.. it does, haha. I had a friend of mine do it for me.

"haha. I had a friend of mine do it for me."

How is your Pro tools cracked?

It's actually not cracked.

Great! So you've got the manual or at least the PDF on the disc. Check appendix for "playback engine". Is the Maxtor drive USB2.0 or Firewire? Just by the way, which interface do you have?

I have the EXACT same problem with my computer.

No, my Protools isn't cracked either! (I have the reciept if you want to see it)

Reading the manual is not going to help, I've tried. The info on the "playback engine" is not very exhaustive.

I am running with a Maxtor drive as well using firewire.

My computer is telling me to lower the buffer due to a "hardware conflict"
But it is not telling me which hardware it is conflicting with!

What OS? In windows go to Start menu/accessories/system tools/system information. In the window select under "Hardware Information" Conflicts/Sharing. You should be able to see here if there are any issues. If that doesn't show anything, go to IRQ's under Hardware information and you should be able to see what hardware is sharing IRQ's.

It's been a long time since I had to chase down IRQ's and conflicts (since I switched from Windows NT to XP) I am just not in the mood anymore.

The easy solution is to cut back on effects or bounce effects to a track to cut down on processing, since this problem only seems to pop up when you are pushing the computer to the limit (at least thats how it is with mine)

You are going to get that "problem" with every computer. You can only expect your computer to do so much.

Exactly!

Thats one thing they forget to mention in those ads that tell you "buy this doohickey recording thing and you will instantly be recording like a pro!!!"

Maybe they should be required by law to add some fine print, like....

"as long as you are willing to put up with hour upon hour of computer maintenance and spend years learning proper recording principles"