So I was gifted a laptop that I would like to use for music but can't seem to get past this latency issue. Could someone take a look at the report from LatencyMon and point me in the right direction....? Please.....
 
ONCLUSION _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Your system appears to be having trouble handling real-time audio and other tasks. You are likely to experience buffer underruns appearing as drop outs, clicks or pops. One or more DPC routines that belong to a driver running in your system appear to be executing for too long. At least one detected problem appears to be network related. In case you are using a WLAN adapter, try disabling it to get better results. One problem may be related to power management, disable CPU throttling settings in Control Panel and BIOS setup. Check for BIOS updates. LatencyMon has been analyzing your system for  0:00:40  (h:mm:ss) on all processors.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SYSTEM INFORMATION _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Computer name:                                   OS version:                                           Windows 8 , 6.2, build: 9200 (x64) Hardware:                                             Inspiron 3542, Dell Inc., 0YW9MT CPU:                                                  GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4210U CPU @ 1.70GHz Logical processors:                                   4 Processor groups:                                     1 RAM:                                                  8096 MB total
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CPU SPEED _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Reported CPU speed:                                   1696.0 MHz Measured CPU speed:                                   2510.0 MHz (approx.)
Note: reported execution times may be calculated based on a fixed reported CPU speed. Disable variable speed settings like Intel Speed Step and AMD Cool N Quiet in the BIOS setup for more accurate results.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MEASURED INTERRUPT TO USER PROCESS LATENCIES _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The interrupt to process latency reflects the measured interval that a usermode process needed to respond to a hardware request from the moment the interrupt service routine started execution. This includes the scheduling and execution of a DPC routine, the signaling of an event and the waking up of a usermode thread from an idle wait state in response to that event.
Highest measured interrupt to process latency (µs):   14341.414290 Average measured interrupt to process latency (µs):   10.221257
Highest measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs):       185.954180 Average measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs):       4.750724
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________  REPORTED ISRs _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Interrupt service routines are routines installed by the OS and device drivers that execute in response to a hardware interrupt signal.
Highest ISR routine execution time (µs):              524.467571 Driver with highest ISR routine execution time:       ACPI.sys - ACPI Driver for NT, Microsoft Corporation
Highest reported total ISR routine time (%):          7.817115 Driver with highest ISR total time:                   ACPI.sys - ACPI Driver for NT, Microsoft Corporation
Total time spent in ISRs (%)                          7.889982
ISR count (execution time <250 µs):                   441037 ISR count (execution time 250-500 µs):                0 ISR count (execution time 500-999 µs):                2 ISR count (execution time 1000-1999 µs):              0 ISR count (execution time 2000-3999 µs):              0 ISR count (execution time >=4000 µs):                 0
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ REPORTED DPCs _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DPC routines are part of the interrupt servicing dispatch mechanism and disable the possibility for a process to utilize the CPU while it is interrupted until the DPC has finished execution.
Highest DPC routine execution time (µs):              17218.344929 Driver with highest DPC routine execution time:       ndis.sys - Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS), Microsoft Corporation
Highest reported total DPC routine time (%):          12.882126 Driver with highest DPC total execution time:         ACPI.sys - ACPI Driver for NT, Microsoft Corporation
Total time spent in DPCs (%)                          19.399888
DPC count (execution time <250 µs):                   1349216 DPC count (execution time 250-500 µs):                0 DPC count (execution time 500-999 µs):                15 DPC count (execution time 1000-1999 µs):              0 DPC count (execution time 2000-3999 µs):              0 DPC count (execution time >=4000 µs):                 0
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________  REPORTED HARD PAGEFAULTS _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hard pagefaults are events that get triggered by making use of virtual memory that is not resident in RAM but backed by a memory mapped file on disk. The process of resolving the hard pagefault requires reading in the memory from disk while the process is interrupted and blocked from execution.
NOTE: some processes were hit by hard pagefaults. If these were programs producing audio, they are likely to interrupt the audio stream resulting in dropouts, clicks and pops. Check the Processes tab to see which programs were hit.
Process with highest pagefault count:                 livecomm.exe
Total number of hard pagefaults                       103 Hard pagefault count of hardest hit process:          69 Highest hard pagefault resolution time (µs):          413445.220519 Total time spent in hard pagefaults (%):              1.431863 Number of processes hit:                              7
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________  PER CPU DATA _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CPU 0 Interrupt cycle time (s):                       4.499379 CPU 0 ISR highest execution time (µs):                523.774764 CPU 0 ISR total execution time (s):                   1.347117 CPU 0 ISR count:                                      49197 CPU 0 DPC highest execution time (µs):                17218.344929 CPU 0 DPC total execution time (s):                   3.209158 CPU 0 DPC count:                                      155624 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CPU 1 Interrupt cycle time (s):                       27.559173 CPU 1 ISR highest execution time (µs):                524.467571 CPU 1 ISR total execution time (s):                   11.321354 CPU 1 ISR count:                                      391842 CPU 1 DPC highest execution time (µs):                17081.908019 CPU 1 DPC total execution time (s):                   17.13550 CPU 1 DPC count:                                      790968 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CPU 2 Interrupt cycle time (s):                       6.990802 CPU 2 ISR highest execution time (µs):                0.0 CPU 2 ISR total execution time (s):                   0.0 CPU 2 ISR count:                                      0 CPU 2 DPC highest execution time (µs):                112.030071 CPU 2 DPC total execution time (s):                   7.135903 CPU 2 DPC count:                                      265843 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CPU 3 Interrupt cycle time (s):                       3.648724 CPU 3 ISR highest execution time (µs):                0.0 CPU 3 ISR total execution time (s):                   0.0 CPU 3 ISR count:                                      0 CPU 3 DPC highest execution time (µs):                165.441627 CPU 3 DPC total execution time (s):                   3.668675 CPU 3 DPC count:                                      136798 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 

Looks like the network has the most impact. It reports 14+ SECONDs.
Turn off (disable) the wireless adapter . One of my Toshiba's has a switch on the front for this. The newer one has a function key switch for the same.
Or go to the network adapter page and right click on the wireless adapter and disable it.
Re-run the latency tests and post the results. NDIS time is what you are concerned with. This is the network
driver. If the NDIS time is not affected by disabling the wireless, try disabling the ethernet (wired) adapter as well.
The ACPI is the power control for the laptop. 500+ us is not great but should not give a problem. Usually greater than 1000us is where trouble begins.
If this fixes the latency you can simply disable when running Sonar. There are ways to automate enable/disable adapters via icons/batch files to make it easier if desired.
 
 

There is a thread a couple pages in that talks about these issues. As already said, disable wireless. Also disable HDMI audio drivers for video cards.

There is a thread a couple pages in that talks about these issues. As already said, disable wireless. Also disable HDMI audio drivers for video cards.

_____Thanks so much for the help, this is after turning the stuff off you mentioned, as it relates to the acpi thing should I just uninstall? as there doesn't seem to be an option to disable. I still get clicks and drop outs....____________________________________________________________________________________________________ CONCLUSION _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Your system appears to be suitable for handling real-time audio and other tasks without dropouts. LatencyMon has been analyzing your system for  0:00:22  (h:mm:ss) on all processors.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ SYSTEM INFORMATION _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Computer name:                                                OS version:                                           Windows 8 , 6.2, build: 9200 (x64) Hardware:                                             Inspiron 3542, Dell Inc., 0YW9MT CPU:                                                  GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4210U CPU @ 1.70GHz Logical processors:                                   4 Processor groups:                                     1 RAM:                                                  8096 MB total
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CPU SPEED _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Reported CPU speed:                                   1696.0 MHz Measured CPU speed:                                   2508.0 MHz (approx.)
Note: reported execution times may be calculated based on a fixed reported CPU speed. Disable variable speed settings like Intel Speed Step and AMD Cool N Quiet in the BIOS setup for more accurate results.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ MEASURED INTERRUPT TO USER PROCESS LATENCIES _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The interrupt to process latency reflects the measured interval that a usermode process needed to respond to a hardware request from the moment the interrupt service routine started execution. This includes the scheduling and execution of a DPC routine, the signaling of an event and the waking up of a usermode thread from an idle wait state in response to that event.
Highest measured interrupt to process latency (µs):   91.769596 Average measured interrupt to process latency (µs):   8.579757
Highest measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs):       65.204713 Average measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs):       4.144089
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________  REPORTED ISRs _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Interrupt service routines are routines installed by the OS and device drivers that execute in response to a hardware interrupt signal.
Highest ISR routine execution time (µs):              58.817217 Driver with highest ISR routine execution time:       ACPI.sys - ACPI Driver for NT, Microsoft Corporation
Highest reported total ISR routine time (%):          7.489601 Driver with highest ISR total time:                   ACPI.sys - ACPI Driver for NT, Microsoft Corporation
Total time spent in ISRs (%)                          7.498359
ISR count (execution time <250 µs):                   231780 ISR count (execution time 250-500 µs):                0 ISR count (execution time 500-999 µs):                0 ISR count (execution time 1000-1999 µs):              0 ISR count (execution time 2000-3999 µs):              0 ISR count (execution time >=4000 µs):                 0
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________ REPORTED DPCs _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DPC routines are part of the interrupt servicing dispatch mechanism and disable the possibility for a process to utilize the CPU while it is interrupted until the DPC has finished execution.
Highest DPC routine execution time (µs):              90.202241 Driver with highest DPC routine execution time:       ACPI.sys - ACPI Driver for NT, Microsoft Corporation
Highest reported total DPC routine time (%):          12.631522 Driver with highest DPC total execution time:         ACPI.sys - ACPI Driver for NT, Microsoft Corporation
Total time spent in DPCs (%)                          19.640711
DPC count (execution time <250 µs):                   710481 DPC count (execution time 250-500 µs):                0 DPC count (execution time 500-999 µs):                0 DPC count (execution time 1000-1999 µs):              0 DPC count (execution time 2000-3999 µs):              0 DPC count (execution time >=4000 µs):                 0
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________  REPORTED HARD PAGEFAULTS _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Hard pagefaults are events that get triggered by making use of virtual memory that is not resident in RAM but backed by a memory mapped file on disk. The process of resolving the hard pagefault requires reading in the memory from disk while the process is interrupted and blocked from execution.
NOTE: some processes were hit by hard pagefaults. If these were programs producing audio, they are likely to interrupt the audio stream resulting in dropouts, clicks and pops. Check the Processes tab to see which programs were hit.
Process with highest pagefault count:                 adminservice.exe
Total number of hard pagefaults                       46 Hard pagefault count of hardest hit process:          39 Highest hard pagefault resolution time (µs):          22426.608491 Total time spent in hard pagefaults (%):              0.140280 Number of processes hit:                              2
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________  PER CPU DATA _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CPU 0 Interrupt cycle time (s):                       2.10940 CPU 0 ISR highest execution time (µs):                52.422170 CPU 0 ISR total execution time (s):                   0.613083 CPU 0 ISR count:                                      22665 CPU 0 DPC highest execution time (µs):                90.202241 CPU 0 DPC total execution time (s):                   1.573660 CPU 0 DPC count:                                      75240 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CPU 1 Interrupt cycle time (s):                       14.792092 CPU 1 ISR highest execution time (µs):                58.817217 CPU 1 ISR total execution time (s):                   6.027464 CPU 1 ISR count:                                      209115 CPU 1 DPC highest execution time (µs):                53.988208 CPU 1 DPC total execution time (s):                   9.816385 CPU 1 DPC count:                                      421233 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CPU 2 Interrupt cycle time (s):                       3.925322 CPU 2 ISR highest execution time (µs):                0.0 CPU 2 ISR total execution time (s):                   0.0 CPU 2 ISR count:                                      0 CPU 2 DPC highest execution time (µs):                40.644458 CPU 2 DPC total execution time (s):                   4.169811 CPU 2 DPC count:                                      148557 _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ CPU 3 Interrupt cycle time (s):                       1.799198 CPU 3 ISR highest execution time (µs):                0.0 CPU 3 ISR total execution time (s):                   0.0 CPU 3 ISR count:                                      0 CPU 3 DPC highest execution time (µs):                40.269458 CPU 3 DPC total execution time (s):                   1.833957 CPU 3 DPC count:                                      65451 __________________________________________________________________________

No the ACPI looks OK now and that charges the battery etc.
Set the buffers to 512 or so.
Are you using the onboard sound  ? If possible try with an external USB audio interface.
Also disable any antivirus.
In your signature you say Toshiba laptop but the post is about Dell. Are these two diff laptops ?
 

you have not mentioned which Dell laptop model you have.
 
if your using a usb or other external interface. does the interface support usb 2 and does the laopto have usb 2 ports or only usb 1.1 ports? do you have the windows 8 driver installed?  ASIO or WASAPI mode/driver?
 
you haven't mentioned what hard drive you have in the laptop. an ssd hard drive or something faster than 5400 rpm.
 
have you set windows to make sure it's not in laptop model but in desktop mode?  hard drive set to not spin down, video to not sleep.
 
Dell computers as well as HP computers come with installed junk stuff.  have you turned off all that stuff, checked task manager to see what process you can turn off?
 
all of these little things can add latency and you will get pops, drop outs and generally a not fun experience.
 
also make sure you have all the latest windows 8 drivers installed.

Machineclaw...you mention setting "Windows" to DESKTOP mode and NOT LAPTOP mode.
 
I have never heard of this. I too, have a Dell laptop that I am working to optimize...never ending struggle...and would love a step by step instruction set for making this setting change.
 
Thanks

I do apologize these are two different laptops, The issues are with the Dell.. also I thought everything needed was in the LatencyMon report... I will print it again below... 
 
Windows 8 , 6.2, build: 9200 (x64) Hardware:                                            
Inspiron 3542, Dell Inc., 0YW9MT CPU:                                                
GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4210U CPU @ 1.70GHz Logical processor
8GB ram
 
I have 3 different interfaces, Presonus 1818vsl, Focusrite VRM, and an M-Audio Fast Track Pro... (old, but it still works I guess)
 
I have to hard drives, (one in place of the dvd drive (7200rpm 1tb) for samples
the system hard drive is the stock one, I haven't changed it out yet... Not sure that would cause so many pops, clicks, and messages about the computer being to slow to play back. 
 
I have pretty much installed everything, disabled wifi, and turned off speedstep just looking for any other options 
 
Thanks again... 
 
 
 
 

TremoJem
Machineclaw...you mention setting "Windows" to DESKTOP mode and NOT LAPTOP mode.
 
I have never heard of this. I too, have a Dell laptop that I am working to optimize...never ending struggle...and would love a step by step instruction set for making this setting change.
 
Thanks

 
Sorry what I meant was check the Power Setting options.  Most laptops have there power settings to put the hard drive to sleep at a low minute like 15 minutes the hard drive goes to sleep, same with graphics to turn the monitor off.  There used to be a setting called Desktop which is power by cord, full on all devices all the time.
 
in newer processors with newer fast hard drives or SSD drives it's not a big deal.  However if you have a laptop with generic 5400 rpm hard drive and windows is constantly putting it to sleep and powering it up this plus the wait state can increase pops and stutters when recording music or audio. 
 
Add that if you only have the 1 main laptop drive with windows on a slow hard drive trying to record audio - pops, dropouts etc.
 
on a laptop go to control panel and open up Power Options.  Go to Change plan settings then change advanced power settings.  Check every single setting - HD, video, USB, everything and change them to Never as in never sleep.
 
then you can play with settings as need for performance but it's a easy quick troubleshooting tip to see if anything in there is effecting performance when recording audio.