Windows 7: Audio Stutters and Buzzing Caused by DPC Latency

IanEvs1979 · 14 Feb 2015

The problem came back again after a restart, so I uninstalled all the Dell programs and once again, all is good. Fingers crossed that it holds this time!

Driver64 · 14 Feb 2015

Quote: Originally Posted by MrTWX

I've read all the posts and I must agree with this method.
Totally solved the problem for me.

Glad to hear it. It seems to have solved the problem for me, too. I just watched a 30 min. documentary on YouTube. No drop-outs or audio buzzing. I'll keep my fingers crossed.

mschilm · 14 Feb 2015

I too just obtained this account to thank you. You saved me days. Is someone in touch with Dell? If not, I could start a campaign.

Very Best,
Michael

RandyGibbons · 15 Feb 2015

Just adding another confirmation of the problem and the solution (thanks!). I have a Dell XPS L502X Windows 7 Home Premium laptop. In the last couple of days, all audio recording and playback exhibited the stutter and drop-outs reported above. Dell SupportAssist and Dell SupportAssistAgent were automatically installed on my machine February 10 and 12 (2015), respectively. Uninstalling those programs removed the culprit system device Dell Diag Control Device (file DDDriver64Dcsa.sys - the file itself actually remains) (also removes system device Dell System Analyzer Control Device). I see today many people are reporting the same problem and solution on the Dell Support Forum (Laptop Audio Forum).

I called the Dell 817- support number to try to report the problem, in hopes they will acknowledge it and not simply reintroduce the defective software to machine again. You can imagine how productive that conversation was.

dj39 · 16 Feb 2015

Registered just to say Thanks!

Dell is Trash. DDDriver.sys also disabled keys 's,x,caps lock' on my keyboard.

Disabled in Device manager. Keyboard is now fully functional and most important the stutter is gone.

THANKS AGAIN!!!

MrHassanSan · 16 Feb 2015

Registered entirely just to say THANK YOU and also WTF? I was honestly just about to give up and start looking for a new laptop. I work with audio and this has been making it impossible to get any work done. Thank you so much.

mike313 · 17 Feb 2015

Quote: Originally Posted by IanEvs1979

The latency issue started on my laptop about 3 days ago too, and it's taken me most of this evening to get to the bottom of it! I tried updating most of my drivers and disabling network and sound drivers, without success, but after a google search of latency (I had a similar problem when I first got the machine), I came across a webpage that suggested using Windows Performace Analyzer, followed by cmd and then xperf, which did take awhile. Eventually, the program showed that the driver that was causing the spikes was called 'dddriver64dcsa.sys'. I then did a quick google search of that driver, which brought me here, so I tried what you all suggested and disabled 'Dell Diag Control Device' and 'Dell System Analyzer Control Device', and all is well again. I can again listen to my vast music collection on iTunes without and dragging.

My laptop is the trusty XPS L502X.

I have exactly the same laptop model and issues. and disabling 'Dell System Analyzer Control Device' worked for me too.
Also, uninstalling Dell Assistant-something (can't remember what its called now) removed the driver. For anyone with the know-how to get this far, it's probably a useless program anyway.

I suspect a recent Windows 7 update is responsible for issue.

We're all gonna make it. :)

Catpawn · 17 Feb 2015

It started again for me after a couple of days of rest disabling the Dell Diag Driver! I tried to disable the other Dell driver, but no improvement this time. Hoping for some pros to find the root cause and solution.

Driver64 · 17 Feb 2015

Quote: Originally Posted by Catpawn

It started again for me after a couple of days of rest disabling the Dell Diag Driver! I tried to disable the other Dell driver, but no improvement this time. Hoping for some pros to find the root cause and solution.

Catpawn,

Disabling the "Dell Diag Control Device" in and of itself only solved the problem temporarily. It wasn't until I uninstalled ALL Dell Support software did the problem go away. This solution has worked for me and a number of other people as well. Hope it helps!

Bunsnpigs · 17 Feb 2015

Thank you, kind souls. My Dell Inspiron started doing this I think after the last system update. I followed your instructions and voila! It is fixed. I also registered specifically so I could post that you fixed my dilemma also.