Audio drop-outs due to Wireless LAN driver - Windows 8.1

[gunstarpocket]

Howdy, new user here. Having a similar problem to the one posted in this thread: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/bs...ng-audio-dxgkrnl-sys-windows-7-x86-sp1-3.html

I use a USB 2.0 audio interface called Balance. Balance has worked fine on my Macbook Pro for the past three years, but I've recently switched to a PC running Windows 8.1, and now Balance is having audio drop outs consistently and at random intervals. I've even installed a dedicated PCI-express USB, it doesn't matter which USB port I plug Balance into. I have audio drop outs on every port, USB2.0 and 3.0.

I've installed a PCIe USB 2.0 and another PCIe USB 3.0 card, neither of which had any effect. I've also disabled all other integrated audio devices in BIOS.

After emailing back and forth with Propellerhead, we discovered my wireless network card to be creating DPC latency. Audio dropouts disappear entirely when the wireless network card is disabled. Here are my PC specs, followed by screenshots of LatencyMon:

CPU: Intel Core i7-4770K
MoBo: Asus H81M-Plus Micro ATX LGA 1150
RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport XT 8GB
Storage: Samsung 840 EVO 250GB SSD
GPU: XFX Radeon R9 270 2GB
Case: Fractal Design Core 1000 USB 3.0 MicroATX Mid Tower
PSU: Seasonic 520W 80+ Bronze Certified Semi-Modular ATX
Wireless LAN PCIe card: Qualcomm Atheros AR9287

Latency Mon w/ wireless network card ENABLED, then with wireless network card DISABLED

 

[Patrick]

Hi,

Does the developer provide up to date device drivers for the interface regarding Windows 8/8.1?

Regards,

Patrick

 

[gunstarpocket]

Hey Patrick,

Propellerhead's latest driver was updated in August, 2013. Propellerhead tech support made no mention of any plans to update the driver to fix this issue. After e-mailing back and forth, the last thing the tech said was, "That's about all I can do", and he posted a link to another site where a user solved a similar issue. Didn't help me, but here it is: Cracking Popping audio. DPC latency checked. Atheros AR5B87. - Windows 7 Help Forums

 

[Patrick]

What a shame....

Unfortunately, the tech is correct but he said it in an extremely unprofessional way (doesn't surprise me). Basically, the only existing driver for your device is from nearly a year ago, and is it Windows 8 or 7? If it's 7, that's one problem by itself. There are times in which you may be able to successfully install a driver from Windows 7's era using compatibility mode/troubleshooter, but at other times it doesn't work. Also, even if it does, there's no guarantee you're not going to have problems with such a dated driver on a new OS.

Anyway, if the bug is in the driver itself, unfortunately there's no on-your-end fix you can do to solve this, because it'll always come back to a bug existing in the driver. It's in the developer's hands now. Don't give up hope, it took Creative years to develop a new driver (even though it is still in beta?) for my sound card that worked with Windows 8.

Regards,

Patrick

 

[jcgriff2]

Hi -

Are there any BIOS updates available?

I ask because my 2008-era (came with Vista) HP dv7 laptop experienced audio issues when I initially upgraded to Windows 7 in 2009. A BIOS update from HP fixed the problem (even though audio was not listed in the "read-me"). I was then able to upgrade to Widows 8, then Windows 8.1 and did not experience any further audio problems.

Who is the manufacturer for your wifi device?

Is it built-in or is it a USB device?

Have you tried to update or roll-back the drivers for your wifi?

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

 

[gunstarpocket]

the only existing driver for your device is from nearly a year ago, and is it Windows 8 or 7?

the download page on Propellerhead's website says the driver is for "Windows 7 and 8", with no mention of 8.1

Are there any BIOS updates available?
Who is the manufacturer for your wifi device?
Is it built-in or is it a USB device?
Have you tried to update or roll-back the drivers for your wifi?

The BIOS is updated to the latest, release date 06/16/2014. My wireless card is a Qualcomm Atheros AR9287. It's a PCI-e network card. I've tried all kinds of drivers, from the most recent to the oldest, with no luck. I've manually installed "modded" drivers, uninstalled, allowed Windows to use default drivers, etc... no dice.

Ya think if I used a different wireless card, I'd probably get the same outcome? Perhaps a USB wireless connection could make a difference...