Windows 10 stuttering audio&cursor, dpc latency storport.sys

[glitterfr33ze]

Hello, I've had this issue of my audio & mouse freezing for 1-2 seconds and creating this glitchy buzzing noise.
It occurs randomly, sometimes immediately after turning on my laptop and sometimes after a few days. Nothing in my laptop-using habits has changed so it's kind of a surprise to me.
Since I've had this laptop (bought at most 2 years ago) this is the first time I've had this issue.

I've ran Latencymon and got this report - listing storport.sys as the main and only issue. I've also checked for Memory Hard Faults but there is none.

Highest DPC routine execution time (µs): 106731.953909
Driver with highest DPC routine execution time: storport.sys - Microsoft Storage Port Driver, Microsoft Corporation

Highest reported total DPC routine time (%): 0.417280
Driver with highest DPC total execution time: storport.sys - Microsoft Storage Port Driver, Microsoft Corporation

Total time spent in DPCs (%) 0.439019

DPC count (execution time <250 µs): 2488325
DPC count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time 500-999 µs): 1698
DPC count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 25
DPC count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 1059
DPC count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0

Highest ISR routine execution time (µs): 414.095870
Driver with highest ISR routine execution time: i8042prt.sys - i8042 Port Driver, Microsoft Corporation

Highest reported total ISR routine time (%): 0.000607
Driver with highest ISR total time: i8042prt.sys - i8042 Port Driver, Microsoft Corporation

Speccy:
Operating System
Windows 10 Pro 64-bit
CPU
Intel Core i5 7200U @ 2.50GHz 47 °C
Kaby Lake-U/Y 14nm Technology
RAM
8.00GB Dual-Channel Unknown @ 1064MHz (15-15-15-35)
Motherboard
LENOVO Nano 7C1 (U3E1)
Graphics
Generic PnP Monitor (1600x900@60Hz)
Intel HD Graphics 620 (Lenovo)
2048MB ATI AMD Radeon R5 M430 (Lenovo)
CrossFire Disabled
Storage
931GB Western Digital WDC WD10JPCX-24UE4T0 (SATA ) 31 °C
Optical Drives
No optical disk drives detected
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio

 

[xilolee]

Hi glitterfr33ze. :welcome:

Try to check the disk.

 

[glitterfr33ze]

Hi! So, uh, how do I do that?

 

[xilolee]

Right-click on windows start, click "command prompt (admin)", it will open a black window, type in it: chkdsk c: /f
Then press enter: it will ask you to restart your machine to check the disk.
Then wait until it finishes (some tenths of minutes).

PS: make sure you have a backup of your important files and data. And a system image (yes, it is a good idea to have it one available).

 

[glitterfr33ze]

Right-click on windows start, click "command prompt (admin)", it will open a black window, type in it: chkdsk c: /f
Then press enter: it will ask you to restart your machine to check the disk.
Then wait until it finishes (some tenths of minutes).

PS: make sure you have a backup of your important files and data. And a system image (yes, it is a good idea to have it one available).

If checking the disk poses a threat that big I'm not sure I want to do that - I've been actually trying to get a system image or a backup of my system but to no avail. The backup always fails before it finishes. No idea why. As for the system image... From the three disks I have, only one is available for it, and even then the system won't allow a system image being saved on it bringing this error
"One of the volumes specified for backup is invalid because it is either not on a fixed drive, is not formatted NTFS/ReFS, or is read-only. To convert the file system on a volume from FAT32 to NTFS, at an elevated command prompt type: CONVERT <volumeletter> /FS:NTFS (0x8078011D)"

Which is odd. I've used backup once or twice before. It was usually automated.

(I'd continue if only I had a portable disk to store all my files on.)

 

[xilolee]

1) Download and install macrium reflect free (click) (current version: 7.2.3858).
2) Get a rewritable CD.
3) Open macrium and click Create bootable rescue media (and follow the instructions to create it one).
4) Test the bootable media (if it boots your PC and open the macrium reflect program in a non-windows environment, i.e. it should not open/start your windows 10 OS)
5) Reboot and create a system image.
I.e., without your important data, if you have "backupped" them in another location.
You can also create a full system image, if you prefer, but you'll need more space available.
The windows images created should be put in another disk, and shouldn't be put in your ONLINE disks (i.e., they shouldn't stay in your machine).
As example, I usually backup the first 5 partitions, because the last one is only for data (I put there software, games, browsers, temporary internet files, etc).