V-Studio 20 questions

Just received my V-studio 20. I recorded a few songs with it. Overall, I think it's a great product. However, I did notice some things that don't seem quite right. Was hoping someone can comment on these.
 
1. There is a noticeable hissing and high pitch noise when the monitor speakers are connected via the line out jacks.  The spearkers are Event Project 6 studio monitors that I used with a Tascam 788 with no issues. The funny thing is this does not happen when using headphones or when I run the laptop off battery power. It only happens with I plug the laptop's power cord in. I also tried with a Onkyo stereo receiver and speakers off the same power supply and it does not happen.  
 
2. When I record bass or electic guitar using the COSM effects editor I sometimes get a "cannot read or write data" error message.  When it does work, and I record a track I can hear a slight popping or clicking on the guitar or bass track. It's not that noticeable when listening to the whole mix, but it's definitely there.  I thoght it may be the metronome when I am recording, but it's definitely at random intervals. 
 
3. Sometimes the V-studio 20 control surface does not work. I can change the volume and settings via the laptop, but none of the buttons on the v-studio work.  I usually have to restart the program to get it to work.
 
Any help with these would be greatly appreciated! Again, I think it's a great machine, I just want to fix the issues I am having...

I believe they are the latest. But good watch out. I will check.  Issue #1 seems to be more power related, but who knows, maybe drivers are to blame...Thanks!

To be honest, I don't know. The software for the drivers, VS-20 editor, and Guitar tracks all came on one CD. I am new to recording software...I started off with a Fostex X-15 over 25 years ago, moved up to other stand alone units, like the Tascam 788. However, this is my first experience with this set up... 

i strongly suggest if your not sure what kind of drivers your using,you look into that as a problem.thanks for the reply.i apreciate it.i thought it sounded like a driver prob to begin with..try adjusting you buffer settings.good luck

Thanks Charlie! I will try reinstalling the drivers and also ensuring I have the latest updates and buffer settings are correct. Hope this resolves the issues. I like the machine and am very happy with it so hopefully everything gets sorted out.
 
Thanks!

 
Hi there Dan
 
Does the hissing sound get recorded? If it doesn't, the probelm should be easy enough to track down.
 
Do you have dimmer switches on any of the lights in your home? If so, try turning them off and see if the hissing goes away.
 
I'll see if I can dig up some info on this for you in the meantime.
 
Steve
 
 
 

Last time I've encountered this kind of problem I've put a ground lift on the laptop power cable and the noise went away. If you say that the noise disapear when the laptop is on battery then I'm shure the ground lift will do the job.

Great, thanks! I will give that a shot.