Video STUTTERING, Audio CRACKS/POPS and dpc/isr LATENCY (posting instructions)

xilolee · Aug 5, 2017

Co-author and topic starter: Admin writhziden

Please use the Windows Performance Analyzer (WPA) to provide us with your trace file.
You can check the original tutorial for Windows 7: How to Diagnose and Fix High DPC Latency Issues with WPA (Windows Vista/7/8) (click).
By the way, very similar steps can be used with the Windows 10 (and they are explained, with pictures, in following steps, at points 1 and 2).

Download and install the Windows 10 SDK - Software Development Kit (click).
Currently it's named winsdksetup.exe, size 1.13MB; but this can change when newer versions are released.
Check the instructions I made for you:

Read More:

Click Download, save/run it and you'll see for first Specify location: leave it default or choose your preferred location, then click Next.

Read More:

Then you'll see Windows kits privacy: Niemiro said "you may opt in to CEIP if you so wish - it is not necessary, but you may wish to do so". Then click Next.

Read More:

Then you'll see License agreement: click Accept.

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Then you'll see Select the features you want to install: select only Windows Performance Toolkit and click Install.

Read More:

It will download and install the WinPerf. toolkit.

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Set the path environment variable adding the windows performance toolkit path: go to Control Panel\System and Security\System - advanced system settings, (click yes in the UAC window that should appear if you didn't disable it), click environment variables, double-click path under the system variables pane (or click it once and then click edit), and add C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Kits\10\Windows Performance Toolkit\
If you have chosen another path in specify location, you should provide THAT ONE.

You can generate a new trace with this command, from an elevated command prompt window:
Code:
```
xperf -on DiagEasy
```
In case you don't know how to open an elevated command prompt in windows 10, these are the available methods:
Read More:
- Right-click windows start, click command prompt (admin), click yes on the user account control window that should appear (if you didn't disable UAC)
- click start, click windows system, right-click the command prompt in the list, click run as administrator, click yes on the user account control window that should appear (if you didn't disable UAC)
- click start, type directly cmd (or prompt), right-click the command prompt in the list of results, click run as administrator, click yes on the user account control window that should appear (if you didn't disable UAC)
- The same of above is valid if you do it in the searchbox (Cortana)
- click start, type directly cmd (or prompt), (the command prompt should already be the first hit in the list of results), press and keep pressed (hold) ctrl + shift Keys on your keyboard, then press enter, click yes on the user account control window that should appear (if you didn't disable UAC)
- The same of above is valid if you do it in the searchbox (Cortana)
Wait some time (Niemiro said: "Wait until the computer has gone through a period of stuttering slowness") and then launch the following command (always in an elevated command prompt):
Code:
```
xperf -d "%userprofile%\Desktop\trace.etl"
```
If you prefer to use powershell (admin), the command to launch is
Code:
```
xperf -d "$env:userprofile\Desktop\trace.etl"
```
You should find the file trace.etl on the Desktop of your administrator account).
Zip (not RAR, please) the trace.etl up.
Check MicroSoft Support How-To: Zip and unzip files (click) if you don't know how to zip files.
Download and run the BSOD Collection Application.
- Sysnative BSOD Collection (Dump files + System Files) Application Download LINK
  
  For more information, read here:
  
  Read More:
  
  Explanation of the contents of the Sysnative output file: Sysnative BSOD Dump + File Collection App [Detailed] Output Explained
  
  The Sysnative BSOD Dump + System File Collection App does not get installed (it is a stand-alone EXE) nor does it make any changes to the registry.
  It only creates the SysnativeFileCollectionApp output folder + a zipped version, both located in Documents folder.
  You can delete them at any time, but we suggest that you wait until our work together is completed before doing so.
  If you have any questions or run into any problems with the app, please post IN YOUR THREAD about such issues/with the questions.
  We, of course, are happy to answer any questions that you have or to address any concerns.
  This app (including former versions of it) has been downloaded and executed in excess of one million times since the original version was conceived and released in early 2008 and is completely safe.
  The app is now digitally signed by Sysnative Forums Software, Ltd.
  This app has many other troubleshooting capabilities than just to solve BSODs, so you may see a staff member requesting an OP to run it even though the OP is not experiencing any BSODs.
- Save it to DOCUMENTS folder.
  It's usually in C:\Users\Your-Windows-Profile-Name\Documents.
  Or "%userprofile%\documents".
- Run the app
  
  Double-click on the downloaded EXE file.
  Output:
  - New folder created in Documents: SysnativeFileCollectionApp
  - A zipped version: SysnativeFileCollectionApp.zip.
  
  Please be patient until it finishes.
  For more information, read here:
  
  Read More:
  
  Please note that the app averages just a few minutes to run on most systems.
  In other systems, it may take as long as 10-15 minutes to run.
  You'll notice on your Taskbar that there are numerous CMD screens.
  This is normal as the app runs Windows EXE files, custom batch script files as well as custom VBS script files and each one requires its own CMD prompt (screen).
  Windows Explorer should open and highlight the zipped folder upon completion of the app.
  Furthermore, on occasion, the CMD screen will read "waiting for system info" for over 15 minutes.
  This is due to excess msinfo32/ WERCON entries.
  If this occurs, simply bring up Task Manager or SysInternals Process Explorer and "kill" the Sysnative app.
Retrieve System Information, using speccy.
Read More:
- Download Speccy x64 portable 1.32.740 (click)
  If you need the 32bit version: Speccy x86 (NON-portable)
- Unzip/decompress it and put it on your desktop.
- When the program opens, it will retrieve some information regarding your system.
- Once it's done, select the File menu and choose Publish snapshot. Answer Yes to the confirmation message.
- On the next screen that comes up, choose the Copy to Clipboard button and paste this link in your next reply.
Create a new thread HERE (if you do not have one yet) and attach the log files.

In your new thread you will post the following requested information:
- Provide the speccy link you got in the clipboard at previous point.
- Provide answers for (answer the best that you can)
  Read More:
  Write a brief description of your problem.
  You can also include the steps you tried.
  
  OS ? (Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista)
  
  x86 (32bit) or x64 (64bit)?
  
  (Only for xp, vista, 7) Service pack?
  
  What was original installed OS on system?
  
  Is the OS an OEM version (came pre-installed on system) or full retail version (YOU purchased it from retailer)?
  
  Age of system? (hardware)
  
  Age of OS installation?
  
  Have you re-installed the OS?
  
  System Manufacturer?
  
  Laptop or Desktop?
  
  Exact model number (if laptop, check label on bottom)
  
  MotherBoard - (if NOT a laptop)
  
  CPU
  
  RAM (brand, EXACT model, what slots are you using?)
  
  Video Card
  
  Power Supply - brand & wattage (if laptop, skip this one)
  
  Is driver verifier enabled or disabled?
  
  What security software are you using? (Firewall, antivirus, antimalware, antispyware, and so forth)
  
  Are you using proxy, vpn, ipfilters or similar software?
  
  Are you using Disk Image tools? (like daemon tools, alcohol 52% or 120%, virtual CloneDrive, roxio software)
  
  Are you currently under/overclocking? Are there overclocking software installed on your system?
- You need to use a file sharing service to upload the zipped trace.etl and the SysnativeFileCollectionApp.zip.
  Then provide the links that are generated by the hosting service in your post.
  Several file sharing options are listed below (they are clickable links), however you are not limited to these:
  
  Read More:
  
  Microsoft OneDrive
  Google Drive
  Dropbox
  ExpireBox
  SendSpace
  WeTransfer
While waiting for a reply.
- Run HDD Diagnostics: Hard Drive (HDD) Diagnostics (Sea Tools for DOS) & SSD Test
  Check also next posts in that thread.
- Test RAM: Test RAM with PassMark MemTest86

asintoras · Mar 17, 2018

Re: POSTING INSTRUCTIONS for DPC/ISR latency, stuttering, cracks/pops

Hello,

Thanks for the information and reply.
I got up to Step E. My Laptop has Windows 7, not Windows 10. Step E says Windows 10 SDK... When I was downloading, the windows said "download" instead of "Install". I found a folder called Installers with lots of executable files.

Therefore, I couldn’t run xperf –on DiagEasy… It says that ‘xperf’ is not recognized as an internal or external program, operable program or batch file.
I installed Windows Performance Tool Kit but it was called now WindowsKits/10/WindowsSDK. There are several executable files in a folder called Installers. Should I install all of them?

I could not go forward from step E. Can you please help me explaining what can be wrong?
In the meantime, this is the information I gathered from the previous steps: Laptop issues
Many thanks, and kind regards,

axe0 · Mar 18, 2018

Re: POSTING INSTRUCTIONS for DPC/ISR latency, stuttering, cracks/pops

Hi asintoras,

If you installed WPT, you could open a command prompt in the folder with xperf.exe and run the command in it.

asintoras · Mar 18, 2018

Re: POSTING INSTRUCTIONS for DPC/ISR latency, stuttering, cracks/pops

It just does not work... From what I see, the link you posted was for Windows 10 and I have Windows 7...
The version for Windows 7 is called differently: Windows Automated Installation Kit (AIK). I am installing it right now and will check it out.

asintoras · Mar 18, 2018

Re: POSTING INSTRUCTIONS for DPC/ISR latency, stuttering, cracks/pops

I tried installing the AIK but it did not work either, as it was asking for a disc to burn the image and then said the image was too big for the disc and failed (the CD was new of course).
I updated the questionnaire in the Dropbox folder with a PDF showing the folder structure of what I downloaded, which apparently it's something else, despite being from the link you provided.

SPGee · Apr 23, 2022

There's one fix for all NDIS-related DPC latency issues in Windows 10, in particular choppy sound/audio in Dell XPS L701x & L702x.
Remove the Intel Centrino MINI PCIe WIFI card, and replace it with an Atheros one.
End of problem!
I kid you not.
[And yes, Dell should be shot for this]

Rusty T · May 9, 2022

SPGee said:
[And yes, Dell should be shot for this]

Yeah, and for other things long time ago. Gaming PCs with 2x Nvidia in SLI on 450 W cheap PSU, ppl crying having restarts and black screens while other waiting hours on support phone numbers.

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Video STUTTERING, Audio CRACKS/POPS and dpc/isr LATENCY (posting instructions)

xilolee

Moderator

asintoras

New member

axe0

Administrator,
BSOD Academy Instructor,
Security Analyst

asintoras

New member

asintoras

New member

SPGee

New member

Rusty T

New member

Video STUTTERING, Audio CRACKS/POPS and dpc/isr LATENCY (posting instructions)

xilolee

Moderator

asintoras

New member

axe0

Administrator, BSOD Academy Instructor, Security Analyst

asintoras

New member

asintoras

New member

SPGee

New member

Rusty T

New member

Administrator,
BSOD Academy Instructor,
Security Analyst