DPC Latency

[marcus00]

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?

 

[whest]

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

 

[marcus00]

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?

 

[whest]

The w7 home premium is shipped with a 32bit and a 64bit disk.
Didnt you get both disks - have you checked?

 

[whest]

If you didnt get it you have been ripped off.

 

[marcus00]

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.

 

[whest]

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

 

[whest]

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?

 

[whest]

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.

 

[whest]

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

 

[whest]

Audio Kontrol 1
Windows 7 Forums the biggest Windows 7 discussion forum, friendly help and many Windows 7 tutorials that will help you get the most out of Microsofts new Windows 7 Operating System. - Search Results for Audio Kontrol 1

Creative Labs Xfi XtremeMusic
Windows 7 Forums the biggest Windows 7 discussion forum, friendly help and many Windows 7 tutorials that will help you get the most out of Microsofts new Windows 7 Operating System. - Search Results for Creative Labs Xfi XtremeMusic

 

[marcus00]

Okay, I looked through those and I didn't see anything that worked. I did however try disabling my display adapter. Now the issue is gone, but I'm getting some weird stuttering, slow-down effect when I play my music through record.

I've taken care of the pops. Now I just need to fix Record and I should be home (as long as I leave the display adapter disabled). Any thoughts?

 

[whest]

not really thats strange disabling the display adapter have you tried the latest drivers for the 9500

Drivers - Download NVIDIA Drivers

NVIDIA DRIVERS 196.21 WHQL

 

[whest]

xp is sounding more practicle considering your relying on nvidia now - i wouldnt say give in just yet

 

[marcus00]

I downloaded and installed the latest drivers.

When I have the display adapter enabled, I am still getting spikes and pops and clicks.

If I disable the display adapter, the pops and clicks disappear, but the audio gets really distorted and messed up. Like it slows down and stutters a bit.

 

[whest]

Go with xp is my advice - you will be surprised how well it runs under a fresh install - save some of those desktop backgrounds first - if you could dual boot you could have the best of both worlds - im not sure your into that - there is only one thing you need to watch is when you go into XP it deletes all restore points in W7 - THERE is a work around fix, but It has a downside - you cant read one way between drives (xp & w7) but this maybe exceptible and it also depends how large your hard drive is - you could use your recovery disc or xp disk if you have it to create 2 partitions and reinstall xp it needs to the first one down. I think you could find detailed info in tutorials on how to dual boot WXP & w7. If not and your interested either bing it or post back i will find something.

Sorry mate, i guess your download was an upgrade purchase, so dual booting wouldnt be an option, my mind must of drifted off.

 

[kpo6969]

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

I agree, I have a Dell as a backup system myself.
Win7 32bit (no to 64bit) and if no go Vista 32bit.
For your X-Fi card these will work fine and should lower your DPC latancy.

SB X-Fi Series Support Pack 2.0 (05/15/2009) - Creative Labs

 

[marcus00]

Yeah, I'll just be heading back to XP this weekend. I've given this a pretty good fight and I"m not having any luck at all.

Anyone have any recommendations on the best way to run a complete reformat so I can do a clean installation of XP? I'd hate to have lingering side effects of Windows 7 causing me issues.

Thanks for your help Whest. I appreciate your time. If I end up picking up a new system in the next little while, I'll be back.

 

[fireberd]

I commented on the users post about this on the Dell users forum. The Native Instruments Audio Kontrol 1 web site states for XP and Vista 32 bit only. It states it is not 64 bit compatible. So it looks like 32 bit OS is the only hope.

He also had an issue with an PCI Xfi sound card of popping and crackling, which is a known issue with more than 3GB of RAM (and he has 4GB). The Beta Driver on the Creative site has been reported to fix the more than 3GB popping and crackling problem on the the Dell users forum.

 

[marcus00]

Hi Fireberd.

You actually responded to me on the Dell forum.. haha.

Thanks again for your response. Looks like I'll just be headed back to XP.

By the way, the latest drivers for the Audio Kontrol 1 are 64-bit. It's not helping my system at all, but there are 64 bit drivers out there.

http://www.native-instruments.com/forum/showthread.php?t=78352