sound breaking after utorrent has been running for more than 2 hours

[sapient]

I have this weird problem for about a month now, and I have tried everything I could think of without success:

After 2-3 hours of utorrent running, sound output begins to break up when playing music or video, with any player, with any of my two sound cards and from any hdd, even physically different drives than the one containing the utorrent download directory.

The longer utorrent has been running, the greater the problem. The problem occurs even if I am only seeding and not downloading anything. Restarting the system fixes the problem for a few hours, but inevitably it returns after a while. I am certain that utorrent is the culprit, because switching to azureus solves the problem. Even more weird, running azureus alongside utorrent also fixes the problem, or at least delays its appearance beyond 24 hours (the longest I have gone without restarting since I tried this).

I am running the latest build of utorrent 1.8.5 on windows 7 x64. I have updated all my drivers and I have installed all windows updates.

I am running the latest versions of comodo firewall (that as far as I know has no issues with utorrent) and avast antivirus but my problem does not resemble any of the potential problems known to be caused by avast (no crashes, no high CPU usage). I am reluctant to shut them off, even temporarily, since I am at increased risk of infection or intrusion due to certain usage that can not be avoided - and the problem only appears after a few hours, which would necessitate leaving them off for hours to even try to see if they are at fault. The fact that running azureus instead or along utorrent fixes the problem leads me to think that they are not involved anyway.

I am leaning towards some weird disk access problem, but I do not know what else to do about it.

[Switeck]

My guess is it's a minor/major driver issue.

Do a Process Explorer utorrent.exe DLL list. (bottom of 1st link in my signature to tell how)

Any non-Microsoft DLL found there is at least remotely at fault.

[sapient]

Apart for the microsoft files I got 2 files from the logitech mouse driver (which is up to date), one from comodo (which is up to date), one from stardock objectdock (that I have been using since forever without problems), and the following, that I have no idea what they are, but seem to be microsoft's despite not being signed:

C:\Windows\Fonts\StaticCache.dat

C:\Windows\Globalization\Sorting\SortDefault.nls

C:\Windows\System32\C_1252.NLS

C:\Windows\System32\locale.nls

All of them also appear in the azureus.exe dll list, and azureus does not cause any problems (it rather fixes them).

So, now what?

[Switeck]

HijackThis log...much harder and I'm not very good with it.

[sapient]

Any help would be appreciated. Here you go:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2

Scan saved at 13:52:42, on 30/11/2009

Platform: Unknown Windows (WinNT 6.01.3504)

MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7600.16385)

Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:

C:\Program Files (x86)\uTorrent\uTorrent.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\RandomScreen Deluxe\RSD.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\DAEMON Tools Lite\DTLite.exe

C:\Program Files\Vuze\Azureus.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Digsby\lib\digsby-app.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\mIRC\mirc.exe

C:\Windows\SysWOW64\WFXSNT40.EXE

C:\Program Files\Avast\ashDisp.exe

C:\Program Files\Logitech\SetPoint\x86\SetPoint32.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\Reader\Data\bin\launcher\eBook Library Launcher.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Plugin Manager\skypePM.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe

C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\ObjectDock\ObjectDock.exe

J:\downloaded\helpers\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://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157

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 =

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =

F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe

O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll

O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll

O2 - BHO: Java Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [JMB36X IDE Setup] C:\Windows\RaidTool\xInsIDE.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AsioThk32Reg] REGSVR32.EXE /S CTASIO.DLL

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [startCCC] "C:\Program Files (x86)\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe" MSRun

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [amd_dc_opt] C:\Program Files (x86)\AMD\Dual-Core Optimizer\amd_dc_opt.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinFaxAppPortStarter] wfxsnt40.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] "C:\Program Files\Avast\ashDisp.exe"

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eBook Library Launcher] C:\Program Files (x86)\Sony\Reader\Data\bin\launcher\eBook Library Launcher.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NoteBurner] C:\Program Files (x86)\NoteBurner\VTBurnerGUI.exe /silence

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iconRA] IconRA.exe

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [uTorrent] "C:\Program Files (x86)\uTorrent\uTorrent.exe"

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [skype] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ActiveMultiwallpaper] C:\Program Files (x86)\ActiveMultiwallpaper\Changer.exe

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RandomScreen] "C:\Program Files (x86)\RandomScreen Deluxe\RSD.exe"

O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DAEMON Tools Lite] "C:\Program Files (x86)\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')

O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [DevconDefaultDB] C:\Windows\system32\READREG /SILENT /FAIL=1 (User 'SYSTEM')

O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [DevconDefaultDB] C:\Windows\system32\READREG /SILENT /FAIL=1 (User 'Default user')

O4 - Startup: digsby.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\Digsby\digsby.exe

O4 - Startup: MagicTuneEngine.lnk = C:\MagicTune.exe\MagicTuneEngine.exe

O4 - Startup: mIRC.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\mIRC\mirc.exe

O4 - Startup: Stardock ObjectDock.lnk = C:\Program Files (x86)\Stardock\ObjectDock\ObjectDock.exe

O4 - Global Startup: Logitech SetPoint.lnk = ?

O4 - Global Startup: Vuze.lnk = C:\Program Files\Vuze\Azureus.exe

O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present

O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to Google Photos Screensa&ver - res://C:\Windows\system32\GPhotos.scr/200

O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000

O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~1\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL

O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll

O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll

O12 - Plugin for .csm: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .csml: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .cub: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .cube: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .dx: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .emb: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .embl: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .gau: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .jdx: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .mol: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .mop: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .pdb: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .rxn: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .scr: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .skc: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .spt: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .tgf: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O12 - Plugin for .xyz: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

O13 - Gopher Prefix:

O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - http://zone.msn.com/bingame/dim2/default/popcaploader_v6.cab

O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab

O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{B5473646-0570-411F-8776-A9FBF9C5A5D5}: NameServer = 192.168.254.254,208.67.222.222

O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~2\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL

O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\Windows\SysWOW64\guard32.dll

O23 - Service: Agere Modem Call Progress Audio (AgereModemAudio) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\agr64svc.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: AMD External Events Utility - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\atiesrxx.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe

O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Avast\aswUpdSv.exe

O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Avast\ashServ.exe

O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Avast\ashMaiSv.exe

O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Avast\ashWebSv.exe

O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files (x86)\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe

O23 - Service: cFosSpeed System Service (cFosSpeedS) - cFos Software GmbH - C:\Program Files\cFosSpeed\spd.exe

O23 - Service: COMODO Internet Security Helper Service (cmdAgent) - COMODO - C:\Program Files\COMODO\COMODO Internet Security\cmdagent.exe

O23 - Service: Creative ALchemy AL6 Licensing Service - Creative Labs - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Creative Labs Shared\Service\AL6Licensing.exe

O23 - Service: Creative Audio Engine Licensing Service - Creative Labs - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Creative Labs Shared\Service\CTAELicensing.exe

O23 - Service: Creative Audio Service (CTAudSvcService) - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\Program Files (x86)\Creative\Shared Files\CTAudSvc.exe

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files (x86)\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe

O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - c:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe

O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Logitech Bluetooth Service (LBTServ) - Logitech, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\Bluetooth\LBTServ.exe

O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: OpenVPN Service (OpenVPNService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\OpenVPN\bin\openvpnserv.exe

O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: Sony SCSI Helper Service - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Sony Shared\Fsk\SonySCSIHelperService.exe

O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: VNC Server Version 4 (WinVNC4) - RealVNC Ltd. - C:\Program Files\RealVNC\VNC4\WinVNC4.exe

O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

--

End of file - 12653 bytes

[Switeck]

These are the ones you need to do a little research on:

F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe

O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll

O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files (x86)\common files\microsoft shared\windows live\wlidnsp.dll

O12 - Plugin for .csm: C:\Program Files (x86)\Internet Explorer\Plugins\npchime.dll

[sapient]

userinit is a microsoft file, part of windows os (userinit logon application)

wlidnsp.dll is a windows live dll (microsoft windows live ID namespace provider). It came with windows, since I have NOT installed the windows live essentials package. It seems improbable that it is at fault if it came with windows. should I delete it? Or should I install the windows live essentials package, in case it includes an updated version?

chime is an internet explorer plugin for displaying 3D images of molecules. I have no idea how it could ever interfere with utorrent, and I 've been using it for months before the problems appeared.

BTW the running azureus alongside utorrent solution does not seem to have had legs. The problem has re-appeared. First time it took around 24 hours to appear, second time it took 8 hours and now I am almost back to were I was at the beginning. I can see no logic to this problem. I am going crazy.

[Switeck]

"userinit is a microsoft file, part of windows os (userinit logon application)"

Yes, but sadly viruses/trojans/malware love to reuse that same filename.

"wlidnsp.dll is a windows live dll"

I don't know if it's still "safe" in this case, because it's injecting into your Winsock LSP.

You can't just delete it, or you won't have networking! The proper uninstaller should work though.

chime...hopefully...isn't the cause of your problems.

Process Explorer might offer another clue. Do you see anything using lots of cpu % while uTorrent has been running for 8+ hours straight? (It'll probably be a svchost.exe ...which could put us back at square 1.)

[sapient]

CPU usage never increases. That's the first thing I checked.

I also scanned userinit.exe with my antivirus and virustotal. No infection.

Finally I uninstalled the windows live sign-in assistant, to which wlidnsp.dll belonged.

I also uninstalled comodo, the only other possible culprit.

I 'll report later, though I doubt it will help.

edit: 6 hours later sounds seem fine... I'll need to let it run longer to be sure if anything was fixed. And if things remain good I will have to determine if it was comodo or the windows live signing tool that interfered.

[Switeck]

Cool, it'll be good to know which...so we can complain at them for screwing up *OUR* computers with their commercial-but-not-professional product.

[sapient]

It seems the problem was caused by the firewall and it is not just comodo that causes it. Pc-tools firewall also caused the same problem and maybe even faster. I am currently forced to use the windows firewall which is basically a joke security-wise but does not cause the problem. I am thinking utorrent has a general problem with 64bit firewalls that you should look into.

[gogolin67]

I had the same problem myself.

I start my utorrent and some big torrent > (5gb) and if i start video player or a game, i had my hole system freeze for about 10-15 secs periodically.

I've tried to turn off my firewall entirely, but without success. Those freezes continued.

So i've decided to stop being a lazy guy and looked around in the options of uTorrent.

For some strange and unknown to me reason, the disk write cache was disabled in the options by default.

I've unchecked it along with another option for the memory and i don't have this freezing effect anymore.

You can try this:

Go to Options->Preferences->Advanced->Disk Cache and UNcheck the following:

1. Reduce memory usage when the cache is not needed

2. Disable windows caching of disk writes

Let's hope this will help you too.

[Firon]

You can never turn off firewalls. You can only uninstall them.

And to be honest, firewalls on Windows are pointless and the cause more problems than they fix.

[sapient]

Gogolin, as I said, my problem is firewall related, and does not result in freezing, just frequent breaking. I had tried all the cache options early on and found them unrelated to my problem. I am glad you figured out your problem though.

Firon, the usefulness of firewalls is a rather long discussion and not really relevant. Useful or not, people use them and utorrent should not conflict with them. Please look into it. An additional bit of info that might help you: As far as I remember, I did not have that problem when I was using eset security suite, including firewall, but that was over a month ago and my trial period ended. I had other issues with eset and decided not to buy it but stick with a free solution. However both free solutions I tried (comodo and pc-tools firewalls) created the sound problem. So now I am stuck with the windows firewall that is at least not causing any problems. Perhaps any differences between windows and eset on the one hand and comodo/pctools on the other can point the way to the specifics of the problem for you.

[moogly]

Did you try to reinstall new sound drivers (from Microsoft or from the manufacturer) then your firewall (Comodo or PC-Tools)?

[sapient]

As I already mentioned, all my drivers are up to date. I installed all the latest drivers when I installed win7, about 2 months ago now, and no new audio drivers have been released since (I checked).

[ashrack]

I have exactly the same issue as the OP. And it also started about a month or so ago. Using Win 7 x64. And haven't changed any new drivers and using only the default Windows firewall. For antivirus I use Microsoft Security Essentials with the UTORRENT folder excluded.

My system:

Phenom II X3 720, 6GB RAM, MSI K9a2 Platinum

Process explorer:

Process    PID    CPU    Description    Company Name
System Idle Process    0    22.22        
 Interrupts    n/a        Hardware Interrupts    
 DPCs    n/a        Deferred Procedure Calls    
 System    4            
  smss.exe    424        Windows Session Manager    Microsoft Corporation
csrss.exe    668        Client Server Runtime Process    Microsoft Corporation
 conhost.exe    3960        Console Window Host    Microsoft Corporation
wininit.exe    720        Windows Start-Up Application    Microsoft Corporation
 services.exe    784        Services and Controller app    Microsoft Corporation
  svchost.exe    964        Host Process for Windows Services    Microsoft Corporation
   Eap3Host.exe    1568        Eap Third Party Surrogate Host    Microsoft Corporation
   WmiPrvSE.exe    3232        WMI Provider Host    Microsoft Corporation
  svchost.exe    500        Host Process for Windows Services    Microsoft Corporation
  MsMpEng.exe    600        AntiMalware Service Executable    Microsoft Corporation
  svchost.exe    812        Host Process for Windows Services    Microsoft Corporation
  svchost.exe    1044        Host Process for Windows Services    Microsoft Corporation
   dwm.exe    1984    0.52    Desktop Window Manager    Microsoft Corporation
   WUDFHost.exe    5252        Windows Driver Foundation - User-mode Driver Framework Host Process    Microsoft Corporation
  svchost.exe    1096        Host Process for Windows Services    Microsoft Corporation
   wuauclt.exe    5076        Windows Update    Microsoft Corporation
  svchost.exe    1236        Host Process for Windows Services    Microsoft Corporation
  svchost.exe    1372        Host Process for Windows Services    Microsoft Corporation
  spoolsv.exe    1648        Spooler SubSystem App    Microsoft Corporation
  svchost.exe    1676        Host Process for Windows Services    Microsoft Corporation
  taskhost.exe    1792        Host Process for Windows Tasks    Microsoft Corporation
  FileZilla server.exe    1896        FileZilla Server    FileZilla Project
  IDWinService.exe    1352            
   InputDirectorSessionHelper.exe    1748        Input Director Session Helper    
  svchost.exe    2052        Host Process for Windows Services    Microsoft Corporation
  svchost.exe    3040        Host Process for Windows Services    Microsoft Corporation
  alg.exe    2940        Application Layer Gateway Service    Microsoft Corporation
  svchost.exe    628        Host Process for Windows Services    Microsoft Corporation
  ServiceLayer.exe    3620        ServiceLayer Module    Nokia
   NclUSBSrv64.exe    3736        USB Media Server    Nokia
   NclRSSrv.exe    3764        Serial Media Server    Nokia
   NclMSBTSrv.exe    3788        Microsoft Bluetooth Media Server    Nokia       
  TrustedInstaller.exe    5512        Windows Modules Installer    Microsoft Corporation
  SearchIndexer.exe    6096        Microsoft Windows Search Indexer    Microsoft Corporation
   SearchProtocolHost.exe    1256        Microsoft Windows Search Protocol Host    Microsoft Corporation
   SearchFilterHost.exe    2068        Microsoft Windows Search Filter Host    Microsoft Corporation
 lsass.exe    808        Local Security Authority Process    Microsoft Corporation
 lsm.exe    816        Local Session Manager Service    Microsoft Corporation
csrss.exe    756        Client Server Runtime Process    Microsoft Corporation
 conhost.exe    3520        Console Window Host    Microsoft Corporation
winlogon.exe    864        Windows Logon Application    Microsoft Corporation
 taskmgr.exe    2560        Windows Task Manager    Microsoft Corporation
explorer.exe    2032        Windows Explorer    Microsoft Corporation
 RAVCpl64.exe    2460        Realtek HD Audio Manager    Realtek Semiconductor
 msseces.exe    2468        Microsoft Security Essentials User Interface    Microsoft Corporation
 sidebar.exe    2480        Windows Desktop Gadgets    Microsoft Corporation
 WizMouse.exe    2504        WizMouse    Antibody Software
 RivaTuner.exe    4012        RivaTuner 2.24 MSI Master Overclocking Area 2009 edition    
 cmd.exe    1488        Windows Command Processor    Microsoft Corporation
 HWMonitor.exe    1960    0.52    HWMonitor    CPUID
 PCSuite.exe    3968        Nokia Launch Application    Nokia
 utorrent.exe    3896        µTorrent    BitTorrent, Inc.
Foxit Reader.exe    3456        Foxit Reader 3.1, Best Reader for Everyday Use!    Foxit Software
MOM.exe    4452        Catalyst Control Center: Monitoring program    Advanced Micro Devices Inc.
 CCC.exe    5100        Catalyst Control Centre: Host application    ATI Technologies Inc.
splwow64.exe    3468        Print driver host for 32bit applications    Microsoft Corporation
WinRAR.exe    2204        WinRAR archiver    Alexander Roshal
 notepad++.exe    4272        Notepad++ : a free (GNU) source code editor    Don HO don.h@free.fr
firefox.exe    5848        Firefox    Mozilla Corporation
 WinRAR.exe    5504        WinRAR archiver    Alexander Roshal
  procexp.exe    1596        Sysinternals Process Explorer    Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com
   procexp64.exe    2348    0.52    Sysinternals Process Explorer    Sysinternals - www.sysinternals.com

Process: utorrent.exe Pid: 3896

Name    Description    Company Name    Version
locale.nls            
C_1252.NLS            
SortDefault.nls            
StaticCache.dat            
utorrent.exe    µTorrent    BitTorrent, Inc.    1.8.4.16688
ntdll.dll    NT Layer DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
wow64.dll    Win32 Emulation on NT64    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
wow64win.dll    Wow64 Console and Win32 API Logging    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
wow64cpu.dll    AMD64 Wow64 CPU     Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
KernelBase.dll.mui    Windows NT BASE API Client DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
ntdll.dll    NT Layer DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
kernel32.dll    Windows NT BASE API Client DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
KERNELBASE.dll    Windows NT BASE API Client DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
ADVAPI32.dll    Advanced Windows 32 Base API    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
msvcrt.dll    Windows NT CRT DLL    Microsoft Corporation    7.0.7600.16385
sechost.dll    Host for SCM/SDDL/LSA Lookup APIs    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
RPCRT4.dll    Remote Procedure Call Runtime    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
SspiCli.dll    Security Support Provider Interface    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
CRYPTBASE.dll    Base cryptographic API DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
COMCTL32.dll    User Experience Controls Library    Microsoft Corporation    6.10.7600.16385
GDI32.dll    GDI Client DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
USER32.dll    Multi-User Windows USER API Client DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
LPK.dll    Language Pack    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
USP10.dll    Uniscribe Unicode script processor    Microsoft Corporation    1.626.7600.16385
SHLWAPI.dll    Shell Light-weight Utility Library    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
comdlg32.dll    Common Dialogs DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
SHELL32.dll    Windows Shell Common Dll    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
WS2_32.dll    Windows Socket 2.0 32-Bit DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
NSI.dll    NSI User-mode interface DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
IMM32.DLL    Multi-User Windows IMM32 API Client DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
MSCTF.dll    MSCTF Server DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
oleaut32.dll        Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
ole32.dll    Microsoft OLE for Windows    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
uxtheme.dll    Microsoft UxTheme Library    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
CRYPTSP.dll    Cryptographic Service Provider API    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
rsaenh.dll    Microsoft Enhanced Cryptographic Provider    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
USERENV.dll    Userenv    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
profapi.dll    User Profile Basic API    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
CRYPT32.dll    Crypto API32    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
MSASN1.dll    ASN.1 Runtime APIs    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16415
DnsApi.dll    DNS Client API DLL    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
dwmapi.dll    Microsoft Desktop Window Manager API    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
shfolder.dll    Shell Folder Service    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
mswsock.dll    Microsoft Windows Sockets 2.0 Service Provider    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
wshtcpip.dll    Winsock2 Helper DLL (TL/IPv4)    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
wship6.dll    Winsock2 Helper DLL (TL/IPv6)    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
Iphlpapi.dll    IP Helper API    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
WINNSI.DLL    Network Store Information RPC interface    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
dhcpcsvc6.DLL    DHCPv6 Client    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
dhcpcsvc.DLL    DHCP Client Service    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
rasadhlp.dll    Remote Access AutoDial Helper    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385
fwpuclnt.dll    FWP/IPsec User-Mode API    Microsoft Corporation    6.1.7600.16385

[sapient]

I believe ms security essentials includes an antispyware component that might be interfering just like some firewalls. Since mse is not available where I live I can't give you specific instructions, but try to disable the antispyware component if possible (I have the similar windows defender off). My problem was clearly produced by the firewall, and I was finally able to diagnose it as follows:

After the problem has started and is severe, run process explorer and double click on the system process. arrange the threads displayed in the new window by cpu usage and identify any threads using any cpu (even a little, like 1-2%) when the computer is idling. Anything other than readyboost (if you have it on) that uses cpu when the pc is idle is the culprit. You can verify this if, after restarting, before the problem begins, the particular thread is not using cpu when the pc is idle, but starts using cpu, even at low levels, after the problem begins. Find which program the thread belongs to and uninstall it.

[takm]

I guess the problems is with creative sound cards, i have both onboard and offboard cards drivers installed, at the same time the audigy card was having problems with utorrent, i tried with the onboard realtek sound and it was working fine.

[sapient]

Nope, your problem is different. As I mentioned, my problem was the same with both pci and onboard soundcards (creative and soundmax respectively).

[Jakubbo]

I've got the very same problem. And I'm using ASUS soundcard.

And im' using Vista 32x Home premium. And Kaspersky.

Asus p5n-e sli motherboard with nvidia network thingy.

I belive it's somehow linked to this thread:

http://forum.utorrent.com/viewtopic.php?id=18255/

It did start around version 1.8.6 as far as i remember.

[moogly]

1.8.6?

[Jakubbo]

or 1.8.5

Still does not change the fact that i have the very same problem with all different operating system antivirus and hardware. So it might be the utorrent itself after all.

I've red somewhere that some developers belive "Windows audio stack to be quirky", whatever that means.

http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/

You might wanna ask guys out there, where the problem comes from, coz i wouldn't even know what to ask.

[ashrack]

For me this happens if I share a torrent on a network drive

[takm]

Seems i solved my problem, changed utorrent to compatibility mode to "windows xp sp3" at windows 7. Until now its been hours and no problems. Will keep testing further...