Audio4 DPC Latency

[Gr0wTesK]

There's only one issue that can't be fixed, and that's a very poorly performing BIOS (that can be flashed, but you're at the whim of the manufacturer). Otherwise software issues like this are fixable.

Boot normally, enable everything you disabled, and in general get your computer back to it's regular operation. Get a baseline DPC measurement WITHOUT any of the audio interfaces connected. Post back with your system specs and average DPC measurement. If possible, include a screenshot of the DPC so we can see the timing of the spikes. Also, it wouldn't hurt to have a Hijack This log ready -

http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/ - just get the executable, don't bother with the installer

Thats a pic of the baseline DPC with everything enabled again and all external audio interfaces disconnected
if you cant read it, that absolute max is 4967 while running no audio

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 10:15:21 PM, on 7/27/2010
Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.01.3504)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16385)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\taskhost.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials\msseces.exe
C:\Windows\System32\M-AudioTaskBarIcon.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\MOM.exe
C:\Program Files\DAEMON Tools Lite\DTLite.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CCC.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Plugin Manager\skypePM.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugin-container.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunes.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceHelper.exe
C:\Windows\system32\conhost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\distnoted.exe
C:\Windows\system32\conhost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.ask.com?o=15784&l=dis
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = 
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = 
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName = 
R3 - URLSearchHook: UrlSearchHook Class - {00000000-6E41-4FD3-8538-502F5495E5FC} - C:\Program Files\Ask.com\GenericAskToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: SkypeIEPluginBHO - {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Ask Toolbar BHO - {D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440} - C:\Program Files\Ask.com\GenericAskToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Ask Toolbar - {D4027C7F-154A-4066-A1AD-4243D8127440} - C:\Program Files\Ask.com\GenericAskToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSSE] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials\msseces.exe" -hide -runkey
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [M-Audio Taskbar Icon] C:\Windows\system32\M-AudioTaskBarIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware] "C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe" /starttray
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [NCInstallQueue] rundll32 netman.dll,ProcessQueue
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Users\Kyle\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DAEMON Tools Lite] "C:\Program Files\DAEMON Tools Lite\DTLite.exe" -autorun
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O9 - Extra button: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O13 - Gopher Prefix: 
O18 - Protocol: skype-ie-addon-data - {91774881-D725-4E58-B298-07617B9B86A8} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility - AMD - C:\Windows\system32\atiesrxx.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: MBAMService - Malwarebytes Corporation - C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
O23 - Service: NIHardwareService - Native Instruments GmbH - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Native Instruments\Hardware\NIHardwareService.exe

--
End of file - 5313 bytes

That's my HIJACK this log

[Gr0wTesK]

I have a Gateway MD2614U laptop:

specs are

AMD Turion™ X2 Mobile Dual-Core Processor RM-72 (2.1GHz, 512KB x 2 L2 Cache, HyperTransport™ technology @ up to 1600MHz)

3072MB 667MHz DDR2 Memory

Windows 7

ATI Radeon® HD 3200 Graphics

[nem0nic]

If you run DPCLC for a long time, do you see that spike repeat at a given interval?

Also, you have some stuff running in the background that really doesn't need to be there. I recommend turning off Damon tools and sidebar unless you absolutely NEED them (sidebar sucks for a lot of reasons, and you can run DT when you plan on using it). The mctadmin.exe service can be set to MANUAL as well.

Your computer really doesn't look like it's in bad shape at all (except for the Ask and Google toolbars - do you REALLY use them?). Have you tried uninstalling the A4DJ driver and installing a new version? Also, have you swapped USB cables and verified you're not using a bad cable? Bad quality cables are a common issue. Swapping USB ports is another easy to test solution.

Failing all of these, Try looking at your running processes and DPCLC when using the A4DJ and Traktor and see if anything is spiking the CPU. Just fire up Task Manager and go to the PROCESSES tab and sort by CPU.

[Gr0wTesK]

I pulled out the old online stopwatch and noticed that my DPC is spiking 4-6 red columns every 60 seconds. While watching the task Manager the only thing that ever goes above 1 in the CPU column is chrome, and that's it going to 3%

[Gr0wTesK]

I just realized I posted an old HIJACKTHIS log, guess i forgot to run it as admin

this is one I just did with some of the changes you told me:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 10:57:13 AM, on 9/12/2010
Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.01.3504)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16385)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\taskhost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials\msseces.exe
C:\Windows\System32\M-AudioTaskBarIcon.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\MOM.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CCC.exe
C:\Users\Kyle\Downloads\dpclat.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
C:\Windows\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\SearchFilterHost.exe
C:\Windows\system32\SearchProtocolHost.exe

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = 
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch = 
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: SkypeIEPluginBHO - {AE805869-2E5C-4ED4-8F7B-F1F7851A4497} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSSE] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Essentials\msseces.exe" -hide -runkey
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [M-Audio Taskbar Icon] C:\Windows\system32\M-AudioTaskBarIcon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware] "C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe" /starttray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] %ProgramFiles%\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdobeAAMUpdater-1.0] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\OOBE\PDApp\UWA\UpdaterStartupUtility.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SwitchBoard] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\SwitchBoard\SwitchBoard.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdobeCS5ServiceManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\CS5ServiceManager\CS5ServiceManager.exe" -launchedbylogin
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
O9 - Extra button: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Skype add-on for Internet Explorer - {898EA8C8-E7FF-479B-8935-AEC46303B9E5} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O13 - Gopher Prefix: 
O18 - Protocol: skype-ie-addon-data - {91774881-D725-4E58-B298-07617B9B86A8} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\skypeieplugin.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility - AMD - C:\Windows\system32\atiesrxx.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: MBAMService - Malwarebytes Corporation - C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
O23 - Service: NIHardwareService - Native Instruments GmbH - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Native Instruments\Hardware\NIHardwareService.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe SwitchBoard (SwitchBoard) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\SwitchBoard\SwitchBoard.exe

--
End of file - 4503 bytes

turned off sidebar service, turned off gadget service, got rid of D-tools, ask toolbar, still the same on DPC latency. You mentioned something about the BIOS, I just checked Gateway's site and there is a new BIOS available, I'm going to flash that and see

[bumtsch]

Big lag every minute sounds a lot like wifi autoconfig. BUT! apparently you've disabled that. You should try installing the windows performance toolkit, then run xperf to find out what's behind that spike.

[astromech]

HAY GUYZ! My car was running funny. Instead of getting it serviced, I fixed the problem by buying a new car! Aren't I smart?

Who would you pay to get it serviced? Geek Squad?

[Gr0wTesK]

Who would you pay to get it serviced? Geek Squad?

right, I dont think audio latency falls under any computer shop's usual fixes. I have a degree in computer management, and I've googled my ass off and still have this problem on this laptop. I borrowed my mom's macbook for a few days and it ran fine without any of the problems I'm currently experiencing. and this is coming from someone that thinks mac's are overpriced as hell.

[astromech]

right, I dont think audio latency falls under any computer shop's usual fixes. I have a degree in computer management, and I've googled my ass off and still have this problem on this laptop. I borrowed my mom's macbook for a few days and it ran fine without any of the problems I'm currently experiencing. and this is coming from someone that thinks mac's are overpriced as hell.

The thing is, this falls under the 'you get what you pay for' category. As a DJ and music person, having to go through these hoops just to get something working properly is a waste of time and money. If you charged $100/hr of your time to fix these problems, you'd make up the money you 'saved' pretty quickly. At a most basic level, The Windows audio sound stack needs to be rebuilt to avoid these problems. Truth is, MS just don't care enough about this customer base to do anything.

A couple of days ago a had a total ZEN moment whilst sat at my desk. I was listening to Ludovico Einaudi - Dietro Casa (the piano track from This Is England) and my girlfriend walks in. I turned around to her and said 'it's moments like this that I spend all my money on audio stuff'. The music just surrounded us, and she said: 'This should be our song.'

[Gr0wTesK]

LOL at that Zen story.


I didn't buy this laptop with the intention of djing on it. And I know I get what I pay for, but it just seems kinda shitty that I can run ableton / reason into the dirt with tracks and effects and NEVER crackle with my M-audio card, but can't with my Audio 4.