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PLTGC.sys dpc latency causing audio pops/clicks? (windows 7 64bit)

D

dingov

Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2016
Posts
17
hello, i've been having some annoying trouble with my headphones (plantronics gamecom 780) making pop/click noises when audio starts or stops sometimes, sudden audio level changes, or just randomly in the middle of it. i've tried so many things at this point such as updating bios, all my drivers, disabling all other audio programs, toying with playback settings, power management settings in control panel, different driver versions and nothing has worked so far. i'm hoping someone will be able to help me as this is extremely annoying listen to music with intermittent popping/clicking noises and some voice communication in games. if any more information is needed i'll gladly post more. thanks for reading.

here is a screenshot of my latencymon

http://puu.sh/ntKDu/adc2103bb5.png

and my conclusion report

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONCLUSION
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Your system appears to be having trouble handling real-time audio and other tasks. You are likely to experience buffer underruns appearing as drop outs, clicks or pops. One or more DPC routines that belong to a driver running in your system appear to be executing for too long. One problem may be related to power management, disable CPU throttling settings in Control Panel and BIOS setup. Check for BIOS updates.
LatencyMon has been analyzing your system for 0:04:36 (h:mm:ss) on all processors.




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SYSTEM INFORMATION
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Computer name: JORDAN-PC
OS version: Windows 7 Service Pack 1, 6.1, build: 7601 (x64)
Hardware: ASRock, 970 Pro3 R2.0
CPU: AuthenticAMD AMD FX(tm)-6300 Six-Core Processor
Logical processors: 6
Processor groups: 1
RAM: 8148 MB total




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU SPEED
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reported CPU speed: 3492 MHz
Measured CPU speed: 1 MHz (approx.)


Note: reported execution times may be calculated based on a fixed reported CPU speed. Disable variable speed settings like Intel Speed Step and AMD Cool N Quiet in the BIOS setup for more accurate results.


WARNING: the CPU speed that was measured is only a fraction of the CPU speed reported. Your CPUs may be throttled back due to variable speed settings and thermal issues. It is suggested that you run a utility which reports your actual CPU frequency and temperature.






_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MEASURED INTERRUPT TO USER PROCESS LATENCIES
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The interrupt to process latency reflects the measured interval that a usermode process needed to respond to a hardware request from the moment the interrupt service routine started execution. This includes the scheduling and execution of a DPC routine, the signaling of an event and the waking up of a usermode thread from an idle wait state in response to that event.


Highest measured interrupt to process latency (µs): 11890.457903
Average measured interrupt to process latency (µs): 14.249797


Highest measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs): 3741.82630
Average measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs): 9.594367




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REPORTED ISRs
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Interrupt service routines are routines installed by the OS and device drivers that execute in response to a hardware interrupt signal.


Highest ISR routine execution time (µs): 176.644330
Driver with highest ISR routine execution time: dxgkrnl.sys - DirectX Graphics Kernel, Microsoft Corporation


Highest reported total ISR routine time (%): 0.083988
Driver with highest ISR total time: dxgkrnl.sys - DirectX Graphics Kernel, Microsoft Corporation


Total time spent in ISRs (%) 0.168633


ISR count (execution time <250 µs): 390441
ISR count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 500-999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REPORTED DPCs
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DPC routines are part of the interrupt servicing dispatch mechanism and disable the possibility for a process to utilize the CPU while it is interrupted until the DPC has finished execution.


Highest DPC routine execution time (µs): 3756.711340
Driver with highest DPC routine execution time: PLTGC.sys - C-Media Audio WDM Driver, C-Media Electronics Inc


Highest reported total DPC routine time (%): 0.868098
Driver with highest DPC total execution time: PLTGC.sys - C-Media Audio WDM Driver, C-Media Electronics Inc


Total time spent in DPCs (%) 1.284633


DPC count (execution time <250 µs): 2052380
DPC count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time 500-999 µs): 21432
DPC count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 1
DPC count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REPORTED HARD PAGEFAULTS
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hard pagefaults are events that get triggered by making use of virtual memory that is not resident in RAM but backed by a memory mapped file on disk. The process of resolving the hard pagefault requires reading in the memory from disk while the process is interrupted and blocked from execution.


NOTE: some processes were hit by hard pagefaults. If these were programs producing audio, they are likely to interrupt the audio stream resulting in dropouts, clicks and pops. Check the Processes tab to see which programs were hit.


Process with highest pagefault count: svchost.exe


Total number of hard pagefaults 2541
Hard pagefault count of hardest hit process: 1571
Highest hard pagefault resolution time (µs): 505679.629152
Total time spent in hard pagefaults (%): 1.565954
Number of processes hit: 15




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PER CPU DATA
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 0 Interrupt cycle time (s): 25.814726
CPU 0 ISR highest execution time (µs): 145.561283
CPU 0 ISR total execution time (s): 1.153731
CPU 0 ISR count: 281346
CPU 0 DPC highest execution time (µs): 3756.711340
CPU 0 DPC total execution time (s): 17.640969
CPU 0 DPC count: 1710400
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 1 Interrupt cycle time (s): 5.784089
CPU 1 ISR highest execution time (µs): 146.486827
CPU 1 ISR total execution time (s): 0.165804
CPU 1 ISR count: 11476
CPU 1 DPC highest execution time (µs): 126.472795
CPU 1 DPC total execution time (s): 0.377611
CPU 1 DPC count: 39193
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 2 Interrupt cycle time (s): 4.917370
CPU 2 ISR highest execution time (µs): 119.313288
CPU 2 ISR total execution time (s): 0.185342
CPU 2 ISR count: 12188
CPU 2 DPC highest execution time (µs): 118.690435
CPU 2 DPC total execution time (s): 0.433772
CPU 2 DPC count: 46490
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 3 Interrupt cycle time (s): 4.531096
CPU 3 ISR highest execution time (µs): 137.980813
CPU 3 ISR total execution time (s): 0.179006
CPU 3 ISR count: 12260
CPU 3 DPC highest execution time (µs): 120.687285
CPU 3 DPC total execution time (s): 0.406955
CPU 3 DPC count: 39827
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 4 Interrupt cycle time (s): 4.463506
CPU 4 ISR highest execution time (µs): 133.741409
CPU 4 ISR total execution time (s): 0.212354
CPU 4 ISR count: 14426
CPU 4 DPC highest execution time (µs): 163.526060
CPU 4 DPC total execution time (s): 0.547658
CPU 4 DPC count: 68863
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 5 Interrupt cycle time (s): 7.245301
CPU 5 ISR highest execution time (µs): 176.644330
CPU 5 ISR total execution time (s): 0.905143
CPU 5 ISR count: 58745
CPU 5 DPC highest execution time (µs): 130.760023
CPU 5 DPC total execution time (s): 1.933694
CPU 5 DPC count: 169040
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

my computer specs are
motherboard: ASRock 970 Pro3 R2.0
gpu: msi geforce gtx 950
cpu: amd fx 6300
ram: gskill ripjaws x series 8gb ddr3 1833
hdd: western digital caviar blue 1tb
os: windows 7 home premium 64 bit sp1
 
i've tried uninstalling pltgc.sys and the popping still persists

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONCLUSION
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Your system appears to be having trouble handling real-time audio and other tasks. You are likely to experience buffer underruns appearing as drop outs, clicks or pops. One problem may be related to power management, disable CPU throttling settings in Control Panel and BIOS setup. Check for BIOS updates.
LatencyMon has been analyzing your system for 0:03:21 (h:mm:ss) on all processors.




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SYSTEM INFORMATION
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Computer name: JORDAN-PC
OS version: Windows 7 Service Pack 1, 6.1, build: 7601 (x64)
Hardware: ASRock, 970 Pro3 R2.0
CPU: AuthenticAMD AMD FX(tm)-6300 Six-Core Processor
Logical processors: 6
Processor groups: 1
RAM: 8164 MB total




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU SPEED
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reported CPU speed: 3492 MHz
Measured CPU speed: 1 MHz (approx.)


Note: reported execution times may be calculated based on a fixed reported CPU speed. Disable variable speed settings like Intel Speed Step and AMD Cool N Quiet in the BIOS setup for more accurate results.


WARNING: the CPU speed that was measured is only a fraction of the CPU speed reported. Your CPUs may be throttled back due to variable speed settings and thermal issues. It is suggested that you run a utility which reports your actual CPU frequency and temperature.






_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MEASURED INTERRUPT TO USER PROCESS LATENCIES
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The interrupt to process latency reflects the measured interval that a usermode process needed to respond to a hardware request from the moment the interrupt service routine started execution. This includes the scheduling and execution of a DPC routine, the signaling of an event and the waking up of a usermode thread from an idle wait state in response to that event.


Highest measured interrupt to process latency (µs): 9157.508084
Average measured interrupt to process latency (µs): 6.035667


Highest measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs): 174.747057
Average measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs): 1.735087




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REPORTED ISRs
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Interrupt service routines are routines installed by the OS and device drivers that execute in response to a hardware interrupt signal.


Highest ISR routine execution time (µs): 164.054124
Driver with highest ISR routine execution time: dxgkrnl.sys - DirectX Graphics Kernel, Microsoft Corporation


Highest reported total ISR routine time (%): 0.084467
Driver with highest ISR total time: dxgkrnl.sys - DirectX Graphics Kernel, Microsoft Corporation


Total time spent in ISRs (%) 0.125774


ISR count (execution time <250 µs): 192226
ISR count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 500-999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REPORTED DPCs
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DPC routines are part of the interrupt servicing dispatch mechanism and disable the possibility for a process to utilize the CPU while it is interrupted until the DPC has finished execution.


Highest DPC routine execution time (µs): 165.920962
Driver with highest DPC routine execution time: ndis.sys - NDIS 6.20 driver, Microsoft Corporation


Highest reported total DPC routine time (%): 0.070087
Driver with highest DPC total execution time: USBPORT.SYS - USB 1.1 & 2.0 Port Driver, Microsoft Corporation


Total time spent in DPCs (%) 0.250230


DPC count (execution time <250 µs): 863971
DPC count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time 500-999 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REPORTED HARD PAGEFAULTS
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hard pagefaults are events that get triggered by making use of virtual memory that is not resident in RAM but backed by a memory mapped file on disk. The process of resolving the hard pagefault requires reading in the memory from disk while the process is interrupted and blocked from execution.


NOTE: some processes were hit by hard pagefaults. If these were programs producing audio, they are likely to interrupt the audio stream resulting in dropouts, clicks and pops. Check the Processes tab to see which programs were hit.


Process with highest pagefault count: svchost.exe


Total number of hard pagefaults 2710
Hard pagefault count of hardest hit process: 1946
Highest hard pagefault resolution time (µs): 293628.946163
Total time spent in hard pagefaults (%): 1.380551
Number of processes hit: 20




_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PER CPU DATA
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 0 Interrupt cycle time (s): 2.955420
CPU 0 ISR highest execution time (µs): 113.728236
CPU 0 ISR total execution time (s): 0.318265
CPU 0 ISR count: 96982
CPU 0 DPC highest execution time (µs): 111.032646
CPU 0 DPC total execution time (s): 0.898339
CPU 0 DPC count: 541426
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 1 Interrupt cycle time (s): 1.328789
CPU 1 ISR highest execution time (µs): 92.103666
CPU 1 ISR total execution time (s): 0.130712
CPU 1 ISR count: 10613
CPU 1 DPC highest execution time (µs): 81.905785
CPU 1 DPC total execution time (s): 0.218613
CPU 1 DPC count: 32387
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 2 Interrupt cycle time (s): 1.664501
CPU 2 ISR highest execution time (µs): 90.483963
CPU 2 ISR total execution time (s): 0.145507
CPU 2 ISR count: 11302
CPU 2 DPC highest execution time (µs): 165.920962
CPU 2 DPC total execution time (s): 0.412786
CPU 2 DPC count: 65295
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 3 Interrupt cycle time (s): 1.169189
CPU 3 ISR highest execution time (µs): 122.885166
CPU 3 ISR total execution time (s): 0.141516
CPU 3 ISR count: 11185
CPU 3 DPC highest execution time (µs): 68.628866
CPU 3 DPC total execution time (s): 0.214496
CPU 3 DPC count: 30474
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 4 Interrupt cycle time (s): 1.460938
CPU 4 ISR highest execution time (µs): 85.954754
CPU 4 ISR total execution time (s): 0.163133
CPU 4 ISR count: 13054
CPU 4 DPC highest execution time (µs): 122.940149
CPU 4 DPC total execution time (s): 0.404327
CPU 4 DPC count: 78142
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 5 Interrupt cycle time (s): 2.377011
CPU 5 ISR highest execution time (µs): 164.054124
CPU 5 ISR total execution time (s): 0.623883
CPU 5 ISR count: 49090
CPU 5 DPC highest execution time (µs): 92.102806
CPU 5 DPC total execution time (s): 0.881511
CPU 5 DPC count: 116247
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
tried a different headset that uses audio jack instead of usb and still have the same clicking/popping.. sorry for the posts dont know how to edit a post on this forum
 
Make sure that your BIOS is updated.

Update audio drivers. Go into Device Manager (devmgmt.msc), get the audio driver name, then look it up to get the update site --> Driver Reference Table

If you're running an Internet Security Suite like Norton, McAfee, KIS, etc... remove it using the appropriate removal tool - Uninstallers (removal tools) for common Windows antivirus software—ESET Knowledgebase

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

EDIT: From reading the report you posted, your audio driver is --> Driver Reference Table - PLTGC.sys
 
Last edited:
I'm not sure, either.

I'll try to figure it out if you would be so kind as to run dxdiag (DirectX Diagnostics) which will hopefully give me the info I need on your audio drivers.

From a Search box or CMD screen, type dxdiag; @ bottom-center of the screen, click on "Save all information..."; save the report as a text file (it usually saves it to the Desktop); attach the text file to your next post.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2

p.s. In the interim, create a System Restore point, so that if the driver update goes bad, you can always restore the system to pre-driver update status.

https://www.sysnative.com/forums/wi...e-restore-point-windows-10-8-1-8-7-vista.html
 
Hi. . .

My pleasure.

Here is your audio info from dxdiag -
Code: 
-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
            Description: Speakers (2- Plantronics GameCom 780)
 Default Sound Playback: Yes
 Default Voice Playback: Yes
            Hardware ID: USB\VID_047F&PID_C010&REV_0100&MI_00
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: [COLOR=#FF0000]PLTGC.sys[/COLOR]
         Driver Version: 8.00.0008.2162 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: [COLOR=#FF0000]2/7/2013 [/COLOR]15:18:14, 1328128 bytes
            Other Files: 
        Driver Provider: C-Media Inc.
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

            Description: Realtek Digital Output (Realtek High Definition Audio)
 Default Sound Playback: No
 Default Voice Playback: No
            Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0892&SUBSYS_18497892&REV_1003
        Manufacturer ID: 1
             Product ID: 100
                   Type: WDM
            Driver Name: RTKVHD64.sys
         Driver Version: 6.00.0001.7541 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
            WHQL Logo'd: Yes
          Date and Size: 6/18/2015 18:45:16, 4496600 bytes
            Other Files: 
        Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
         HW Accel Level: Basic
              Cap Flags: 0xF1F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
 Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
              HW Memory: 0
       Voice Management: No
 EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
   I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
            Description: Microphone (2- Plantronics GameCom 780)
  Default Sound Capture: Yes
  Default Voice Capture: Yes
            Driver Name: [COLOR=#ff0000]PLTGC.sys[/COLOR]
         Driver Version: 8.00.0008.2162 (English)
      Driver Attributes: Final Retail
          Date and Size: [COLOR=#ff0000]2/7/2013[/COLOR] 15:18:14, 1328128 bytes
              Cap Flags: 0x1
           Format Flags: 0xFFFFF

If you scroll to the end, you'll see that PLTGC.sys has a timestamp = 2/7/2013, so it should be updated (it is old).

I'm not sure which driver update to use. I would suggest starting with the first; see if it installs; check the driver date - either via Device Manager; checking \windows\system32\drivers; check dxdiag report.

USB Audio,USB 2. audio chip,AEC chip,Audio voice processor--C-Media Electronics, Inc.

You'll have to go through them one at a time, trying each.

I don't see anywhere where a model number or specific helpful information is listed about your audio device.

If you encounter a problem after a new driver has installed, use the system restore point that you created to bring you back to pre-driver update status and move on to the next. To bring up Windows System Restore, type rstrui into a Search box or enter it in a CMD prompt screen.

Regards. . .

jcgriff2
 
Last edited:
most of these downloads are just pdf files and the few that arent either dont work or are older than my current driver date.
 
Hi dingov,

I know you said you 'updated all of your drivers' in your original post, but just to make sure: I'm assuming you have installed the latest version of GameCom's "Surround Sound" software, correct? Installing the Surround Sound software includes the PLTGC.sys driver, as well as a few others:

  • C:\WINDOWS\system\fltrPLTGC.dll
  • C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\drmk.sys
  • C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\PLTGC.sys
  • C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\portcls.sys
Click to expand...

The Surround Sound installer was released in March of 2014, so PLTGC.sys having an up-to-date driver date of February 2013 isn't too far fetched, but it's possible a newer one was released. I don't know if that installation package provides anything outside of emulating a surround sound effect, but assuming you already have it installed, you could try uninstalling it and running latencymon without that entire package (restart after the uninstall). Since the 780/788 are USB headsets, I would also suggest trying a different USB port, and or switching between USB 2.0 and a 3.0 port (as well as install your motherboard's USB 3 drivers if you missed them).
 
Last edited:
i've tried every single usb port on my pc and all give the same result. i forgot to mention i uninstalled all plantronics drivers and tried a different headset and the popping still persists.
 
problem still persists. pretty annoying listening to certain music theres a constant popping noise throughout it.
 
Hey Dingov,

Can you please confirm if the sound card is integrated in the motherboard.

You can have such issues related with the hardware and especially power supply.

If you are using any power extensions please try to avoid them and connect the computer directly to the wall socket.

Btw greetings from Bulgaria =)
 
yes i am using an integrated soundcard. i will try plugging it directly into the socket as i am using a surge protector now.
 
Well I think the problem is with the mother board sound card, however I don`t want to advise you to buy additional for now.

My idea is to use some live cd/dvd for example this Link.

Create bootable media on DVD/USB and boot directly from it.

For DVD use Infra Recorder
For USB use Rufus

Please let me know if you need extra guidance for creating bootable media.

Use without installing the OS by choosing the option "try ubuntu".

Check if the same problem occur with Linux OS.

If the problem persist you will need additional sound card.

If the sound card working properly under Linux we can check what is wrong with the settings or drivers in your Windows environment.

Many thanks,
Andy
 
hi, i know this is an extremely late reply but i still have this problem and just tried booting with linux and i still have the popping. do soundcards work even though my headset is a usb headset and don't they have soundcards built into them?
 
Hi dingov. :welcome:

gskill ripjaws x series 8gb ddr3 1833
Click to expand...
Try to set the ram frequency to 1333.
Try to reduce the pagefile.sys to a lower and stable value: Control Panel\System and Security\System, advanced system settings, advanced tab, click settings in the performance frame, switch to the advanced tab, click change under the virtual memory frame, select custom size and type one of these values in both entries: 1024, 2048, 3072, 4096, or the one suggested by windows. Example: 1024-1024. Then click set and always ok: windows will likely want to reboot itself.
 
Last edited:

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