Windows 7: DPC Latency

I am using a Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 USB interface and I'm getting really bad popping and crackling in my speakers whenever a web page loads, I click the scroll bar and scroll through a website or click and scroll through my audio creation software (Propellerheads Record).

I upgraded to Windows 7 64 bit from XP Media Center and I have a Creative Labs Xfi XtremeMusic for my primary sound card. At first, the popping and crackling was occurring on that card, too, but I added some additional RAM and lowered the quality to 16-bit 41,000. That took care of the issues on that card but the issues on the Audio Kontrol 1 are still persistent.



I want to use my Audio Kontrol 1 for MP3's because I have my new Mackie MR5's plugged into it and they sound amazing (aside from the crackling and popping).

After digging through forum after forum, I think I've narrowed it down to a DPC issue. I downloaded the DPC Latency checker and ran it while I did every day tasks. I get spikes whenever a I load up a new webpage, or scroll through a site like Facebook or Reddit. Other sites don't cause as much of an issue. I have also scrolled through sites using the down arrow on my keyboard and my spikes stayed up in the red the entire time. I can't remember the numbers, but it was around half way, like in the image below. The popping and noise only occurs while I have music playing. If I don't, I don't have any issues.

This image below was recorded while I had the song I was working on playing, and I clicked and dragged around the devices area in Record. You can see the red lines start as soon as I start dragging around, then stop as soon as I let go. During this time the popping and crackling is awful.



I've tried disabling drivers for almost everything. I thought it was my old video card that had the worst performance score in the Windows area, so I replaced that, too. Nothing has worked so far. Is this just a major issue with how Windows is handling IRQ?

You could try installing the 32 bit version of Windows7 - at the dell site your pc is only supported by xp and 32 bit vista.

Dell Drivers and Downloads 400/9150

Maybe that's the case. I ran the Windows 7 compatibility test on my machine before I bought Window 7 64 bit and it said it would run it okay.

Can I install 32 bit if I only have the disk for 64?

The Windows 7 home premium is shipped with a 32bit and a 64bit disk.
Didnt you get both disks - have you checked?

If you didnt get it you have been ripped off.

I bought mine through a student discount. It was an ISO download from Microsoft that I burned to a DVD.

They sent me the back up disk in the mail. I just got one disk for the OS I ordered online.

You should see if you can download the 32bit version for free. I think you would be able to.

Well try this - its a chance - go to start - all programs - accessories - system tools - Internet Explorer (no-addons) and see if that makes any difference - i doubt it but worth a try - I gather your tried all the latest creative drivers?

iF you can right click a shortcut to the Audio Kontrol 1 AND select properties then compatibility you might be able to run it in compatibility mode with vista (try first than xp)

To run a program in compatibility mode - right click the program or a short cut to it - click properties - click compatibility - check run in compatibility with vista/xp etc - check run as administrator - leave the rest blank. Close and then click the program or shortcut to start.

I have no other ideas so i will search the forum and post back a link.