Audio Crackling with Low CPU usage

ThommazK · Mar 19, 2016

Hey,

I found this forum after searching for related problems about DCP Issues on audio productions, with crackling sounds on playback.
I used LatencyMon for deteced what is the main problem and this was the results:

I also downloaded the Windows SDK Setup, that I saw user TomasD using for help others people problems, but I cant even understand the analysis.
Disabling the internet helps with te process of ndis.sys and tcpip.sys, but I'm thinking the main problem is refered by WDF01000.sys and CLASSPNP.sys.

I'm needing some help, I've tried a lot of what I read, but nothing is resolving my problem.
Basically this problem began when I switched my font's computer for a new one and removed my Nvidia GT240 (too much noise!) for use the Onboard video card.
My BIOS is updated.
My specs:

I7 4790
HD 1TB
SSD 500gb
8GB ram
Windows 10 64 bit

I appreciate any help. :)
Thanks!

OldGrayGary · Mar 19, 2016

Hi ThommazK .... and welcome to the forums ....

I confess I'm a little confused by "This problem began when I switched my font's computer for a new one and removed my nVidia GT240 to use the onboard video card" ... [the "font's computer" in particular, puzzles me]

I'll assume we're talking about desktops. And that you put an nVidia card from the old computer into the new computer, but then removed it? Or?
_______________

At any rate, let's start by getting some info. If you go to a link for a thread in our BSOD forums, you can download an information gathering app ("SysNativeBSODCollectionApp.exe"). Simple instructions are there to help you zip and post the results here. There are also instructions on how to run Performance Monitor and how to zip and post those results here as well. Since you aren't seeing any BSODs, we'll work with the files here.... (although it might prove interesting if a memory dump shows up in the logs... you never know what you're going to find).

Follow steps 1,2,3 & 5 ... and possibly 6, too, if you want to be extra-thorough.

Here's the link to that post with the instructions and the info gathering app:
https://www.sysnative.com/forums/bs...windows-10-8-1-8-7-vista-post303.html#post303
_______________

The Wdf01000.sys is a module generally associated with input/output devices (keyboards, mice, capture cards, etc.) ... Drivers for such devices call that module to perform a task.
_______________

Especially helpful is to know whether or not the newer computer came with Windows 10, or did it arrive with an older version of Windows - and then get upgraded.
_______________

Let us know if you have questions.

[P.S. ... if you have Latency Monitor running, turn it off. Latency Monitor (last I heard) has not yet been updated for Windows 10, so the reliability of it's results are uncertain. Windows 10's Performance monitor is a strong tool, and the WPA tool in the Windows 10 ADK can provide multiple different views of the results (I'm assuming you meant that you downloaded the Windows 10 ADK, not SDK... If it was indeed the SDK and not the ADK, uninstall the SDK and download the ADK ... unless you happen to be a developer]

OldGrayGary · Mar 19, 2016

Late note: since some of the Perfmon tests can be saved as html files, you also have the option to forgo downloading/installing the ADK. The Windows 10 ADK is just a bit over 6 GB ... so you could hold off, and see if we'll need it or not.

ThommazK · Mar 20, 2016

Hi, thanks for your answer.
I'm using a Desktop computer.

I'm not using any off board videocard. I was using a GT240 but I've removed it when I installed my new font Corsair 600W, so I'm using the Intel on board video.
I follow the instructions, but on #4 I didn't saw any HTML file, sorry.

· OS - Windows 10
· x64
· What was original installed OS on system?
· I built my computer
· Age: Less one year
· Not sure, but I've updated to Windows 10 from Windows 8.1 when it was released.

· I7 4790
· Intel On Board (I think it is Intel Graphics 4600)
· Asus H81M-C/BR
· Corsair CX600

Thanks!

OldGrayGary · Mar 20, 2016

Hi - thanks for attaching the files. I'll have a look in on the Performance Monitor instructions, in case some little detail might be a bit different in Windows 10. It's a handy little report, if we can get it working.

I'll pop back in here in a bit, after I have a look at your file & test the PerfMon output in one of my Windows 10 laptops.

OldGrayGary · Mar 20, 2016

Quick note:

A quick little test (I've just started looking at some of the info) ... can you check in Programs & Features, and make sure that the nVidia drivers are completely uninstalled? They include a driver, nvvad64v.sys (a "Virtual Audio" driver) that we don't want running. [Well, we don't want the old video drivers running either, of course].

ThommazK · Mar 20, 2016

It was installed, but not anymore.

OldGrayGary · Mar 20, 2016

.... I'm hopping around a bit from computer to computer today, but I had another moment to look at your file (still only just beginning ...) and I wonder:

Are there any programs or devices that you once used on the computer that you don't use anymore? (besides the nVidia video card)
.... Korg synthesizer?
.... Wacom tablet?

Does your computer have anything that requires the Intel Management Engine to be running (a fingerprint reader, a remote management interface, etc.?) [If likely not, you can try temporarily disabling it in Device Manager, reboot, and test for stability or errors ... Usually the IME drivers are used in corporate environments ... easier access for I.T. departments]

If you aren't overclocking, try temporarily removing the Asus AI Suite software, and use Windows 10's built-in Power Options to set your power-savings timings. See if that helps reduce overhead/conflicts. The Asus software is fairly redundant in many ways ... and if we fix the audio problems, you can later try re-installing your favorite portions of the AI Suite (and if the audio trouble recurs then, well, you could uninstall AI Suite again).

You have a security component, often used for online banking, that might be referred to in Programs and Features as Warsaw Technology from GAS Tecnologia (or it might be a plug-n) ... make sure that it is up-to-date: older versions of this don't get along well with Windows 10. It's a very popular plug-in used by banks, so I'm fairly sure your version is older, that a newer version is available by now for Windows 10. Some of the components: gbprcm64.sys / wssftprp64.sys / gbpsrv.exe / etc... The reason I bring up this plug-in: part of it seems to be disabled already on your computer. Seems to me that if it's needed, an uninstall of the old, and installation of the latest modules, would be good.

Try uninstalling Unity for a bit, too. If all is well soon, you can then download and install the latest Windows 10 compatible version.

To limit unnecessary access to your network, uninstall BitTorrent (or use the settings to deny others access to your PC/files) during troubleshooting. Also change a setting in Windows Update to keep others on your local network from connecting to your computer for Windows Update purposes .. we'll try to limit network activity to reduce overhead that might interfere with audio streaming from the Internet. The setting in Windows Update: Start Menu > Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update > Advanced Options > Choose how updates are delivered > for "Updates from more than one place" change the setting to OFF.

If DropBox is installed on your computer because it happened to come with it, but you don't use it - remove it. If you are using DropBox, no problem - keep it running (online backups are a good idea, after all).. The program is loading and running from startup to shutdown, so I'm hoping you are using it (so it isn't wasting computer time).

Most of these suggestions are just general housekeeping ideas. We'll have a better idea of the most likely culprit once we get the PerfMon log data.

OldGrayGary · Mar 20, 2016

P.S. ... I'm still wondering what "font's computer" means. I doubt that you have a computer solely devoted to the storage or creation of fonts and typefaces (though that might be fun)....

ThommazK · Mar 21, 2016

Thanks for your answer.
I've did almost everything you said:
-Disabled Intel Management Engine
-Unistalled Asus AI Suite
-Removed GAS Tecnologia (I dont use often, so I can install later)
-Unistalled Unity
-About BitTorrent: I don't use it. I have the software called Sync (it a dropbox p2p like).
-I use Dropbox everyday

Here is the LatencyMon with my Internet Disabled:

Again, thanks for your help!

PS: When I said "font's computer" i wanted to say Power Suply!

ThommazK · Mar 21, 2016

Also, I don't know if its part of this problem, but my CPU Cooler it very loud this days. My CPU its on 50~60ºc with almost nothing.

OldGrayGary · Mar 21, 2016

Hi again -- Just a short note for now, hopefully I can check back a little later on (I've received a lot of new repairs here in my office the last few days ... got to keep the clients happy )

If Sync doesn't rely on BitTorrent, you could uninstall it, too: to keep it from loading any modules, or sharing your files with anyone.

Glad that you are using Dropbox every day ... nothing is better than backups in a digital world.

Thank you for letting me know the reference to your power supply. (I looked all over for an acronym for font.... )

The i7s can run a bit warm. If you've had the computer for more than a year or so, it's possible a little dust has built up. It shouldn't hurt to use a little compressed air to blow out the heatsink/fan for the cpu and case fans. It might be that things were actually running as warm or warmer when using the Asus AI suite, it might have ran the fans at a lower speed, until the temps got even higher, & then kicked the fans up a notch. Is the fan for the cpu the stock fan, or did you replace it with a third-party cooler?

I want to look at few more drivers, but I'll need a little time for that .... some of the 2012/2013 year drivers might be worth looking in on. The Intel iastorA.sys driver is something I want to look into a little more too.

I hope that you've seen a little improvement in overall system responsiveness, if nothing else. Has the audio "popping" gotten better at all? If not, we'll keep looking at possibilities.

Performance Monitor ... by golly, one of my Windows 10 laptops had the same problem yours had when trying to run the "perfmon /report" command. The Performance Monitor opens, and the scan starts, but it never finishes! I tried it several times on a Toshiba - once even letting it run for over five hours... and it never finished on any attempt. I looked around on some tech sites, but didn't see anything useful yet (in the way of a workaround)...

I'll check back later....

ThommazK · Mar 21, 2016

The software BitTorrent Sync is used every day, I can't uninstall it. I have qBitTorrent, a p2p to download torrents that I use too.
When I changed my power supply I cleaned my CPU and Motherboard, so I think dust isn't the problem here. Is there any chance that it hot because it's using it onboard video card?
I'm not using a third-party cooler. It's a Intel Cooler that comes with the processor.

The audio popping its better! I'm doing some test and they've diminished a lot, but there are some yet.

I appreciate you help so far, thanks!

OldGrayGary · Mar 22, 2016

Can you take a quick look to see what year your iastorA.sys driver shows? If it's the 2013 version, see if you can update that.
1) Right-click Windows 10 Start Menu icon
2) Select Device Manager
3) Select IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers
4) Double-click the AHCI driver in the list
5) Select the "Details" tab, and see if your driver says "iastorA.sys" or otherwise [I expect you to see iastorA.sys, with the year 2013]
6) Select "Update Driver", and then "Search automatically..." ... and install a newer driver, if available.

We might have to manually visit Intel.com and grab a newer driver from there, if none is available through Windows Update.

OldGrayGary · Mar 22, 2016

One more quick note:

A couple of other drivers to check.... I think the Korg drivers are from January 2014, see if anything newer is available ... and there's a USB audio device "Scarlett 2i4 USB" that has an unsigned driver (though I can't remember the date at the moment) ... could you check for Windows 10 drivers for that too?

Thanks!

ThommazK · Mar 22, 2016

Scarlett 2i4 USB it's my Audio Interface and Korg X50 it's my MIDI Keyboard, they are updated.
Windows Update didn't found any driver update for iastorA.sys andd I didn't find how to update through the Intel.com.
How should I search for?

Pho3nix · Mar 23, 2016

Hello! new to the forum, and I am having a similar issue and wondering if someone here could help me.

What I did about two weeks ago:

-Installed Windows updates ("mandatory" these days because of Win10...)
-Updated my firewall (Zonealarm)
-Updater my antivirus (Avira Antivir)
-Vacuumed the underside of my laptop (which I do quite regularly)

The result: I left my laptop idle for about 4-5 hours as I was out drinking Friday night, came home and turned it off after browsing Youtube. The next morning I turned it on and immediately notice that something is wrong... I hear audio crackling / lagging whenever I'm opening websites, especially heavy ones like NatGeo.com and whatnot - and not only that, the mouse cursor itself lags behind sometimes as if my CPU suddenly would not be able to handle having 5-6 tabs open in Firefox while opening a 7th for example. Have not had any issues before this. It really takes the joy away from surfing the web and listening to music at the same time (as a note using Foobar and Spotify for my music listening). Incredibly frustrating.

Anyone have any ideas? my worst fear is that I've permanently damaged my CPU fan since the vacuuming probably made it spin faster than It's supposed to, but I have no idea how to confirm this. Could Windows update screw these things up? or my Zonealarm / Antivir updates? really seems quite odd since I've _never_ had any issues before. The laptop I'm using (Acer Aspire V3-571G) is about 2½ / 3 years old by now, and has worked flawlessly up to this point.

P.S here's my latencymon analysis attached if it is to any help:

OldGrayGary · Mar 24, 2016

Good afternoon, all

Thommaz .... I'll keep trying to find a good link to an updated driver... it's likely packaged inside a chipset driver. Lenovo release a version for some of it's PCs, with a 2015 time-stamp, so I know they are available somewhere. I just need a little free time to take a better look.

Pho3nix .... welcome to the forums: normally, you'll want to start your own post here (you can do that if my advice for a System Restore doesn't fix your current problem... I think "how-to post" is in a link near the top of the forum... ) ... Since your problem is brand-new, it could have been caused by one of the recent updates (if you had the laptop unplugged & battery removed when you "vacuumed" [best not to vacuum, by the way -- better to use compressed air to blow off the dust - less likelihood of accidental contact-static shock] - I don't think it should have harmed things). Two things to try: run a System Restore (how-to instructions below) and listen to your system exhaust fans (feel for normal speeds/exhaust volume & temps).

System Restore in Windows 10

1) Right-click the Windows Start Menu icon
2) Select System
3) Select System Protection (a blue link in the upper left-hand corner)
4) Select System Restore
5) Choose a restore point from before the current trouble started.

Good luck! .... I'll check back late tonight after I finish a few repairs/deliveries.

ThommazK · Mar 26, 2016

It happens today.
Searched on google and found to uninstall the Focusrite driver and install. Let see..
I run a Latencymoon and appears to be better, and I'm not listening any crackle now.

OldGrayGary · Mar 27, 2016

Glad to hear that the crackling is gone. Let us know if it re-appears: but I thing the Focusrite driver fix should have a great chance of staying fixed. It was one of the older drivers installed (in my notes, I think it showed as a 2013 version) - and that's always a tricky spot with a new operating system.

Congratulations on your good work!

Audio Crackling with Low CPU usage

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