Pro Tools 5.3.1 & 5.3.3 Software with Windows XP — Settings & Requirements

Pro Tools Software Version 5.3.1 or 5.3.3 with Windows XP Professional or Home Edition

Pro Tools|HD Systems with Pro Tools 5.3.3 Software

Pro Tools|24 & MIX Systems with Pro Tools 5.3.1 Software

Settings & Requirements

  • USB (Universal Serial Bus) must be enabled in the Windows System Device Manger control panel and in the computer's BIOS (if the option is available)

  • Each IDE drive must have DMA enabled in the "System" Control Panel. This can be changed in the "Settings" of each IDE drive on the "Device Manager" tab of the "System" Control Panel. For detailed instructions click here

  • Pentium 4 systems with HyperThreading technology must have "Intel HyperThreading" in the system BIOS disabled.

  • Although not a requirement, removing or disabling startup applications, system utilities (i.e. Norton Utilities) internal and external hardware devices (i.e. tape drives, Ethernet cards, scanners, TV tuners, non-Digidesign sound or MIDI drivers) may increase the performance of Pro Tools. Just keep in mind: the more you demand of Pro Tools the more Pro Tools demands of your system.

Additional Notes

  • Windows XP Service Pack 1 also supported.

  • To ensure compatibility, check with the manufacturer of the various system devices you plan to use, to ensure that you are using the latest software or drivers for Windows XP.

  • Pro Tools TDM 5.3.1 or 5.3.3 software can NOT be installed on systems running Windows 98, Me, NT, 95, or 3.1.

  • Windows XP Media Center Edition is not supported.

  • While limited testing with Pro Tools|HD systems running Pro Tools 5.3.3 software on Windows 2000 has not shown problems, only Windows XP has been fully tested and approved by Digidesign on Pro Tools|HD systems.

  • Pro Tools TDM 5.3.1 and 5.3.3 are compatible with Japanese versions of Windows XP.
    Other double-byte character versions of Windows (Chinese, Arabic, and Korean, etc.) are not supported.

Dual Boot Systems

If you have a PC with an operating system other than Windows XP on it, you may choose to install a compatible operating system on a separate partition or hard drive in order to use Pro Tools. If you want to use more than one operating system on the same computer, you can use a program such as PartitionMagic® to help create a "dual boot" system.