File System Read-Ahead. By default the Windows file system reads ahead, on the assumption that the running program is soon likely to want the data that follows. It is, however, the last thing you need while you're recording audio. Recording Software Buffering. If your recording software has facilities to adjust the buffering it uses then it is worth experimenting with that.
Some packages have a default buffering strategy that is quite miserly.
It costs nothing to increase but a little memory, and most modern systems have plenty to spare. 32-bit Disk Drivers. He cured it by disabling 32-bit protected mode disk drivers. System vcache Settings. If the vcache is allowed to change in size, it'll be just your luck that it does so in the middle of an important recording, with a consequent loss of samples.