Scarlett 18i8 - Freezing and Losing Audio

hi all,
 
i am having issues with my Scarlett 18i8 disconnecting, dropping out, etc... over time.
 
PC is a laptop quadcore 2.4ghz, 16gb ram, 2tb solidstate hd. i even disabled wireless networking, cat 6 to my router.
Windows 8.1.
 
usb 3 only on the ASUS n550 model.
 
i only have my wireless usb mouse and boss usb GT units hooked up beside the 18i8.
 
i ran a latency test, and it came back OK.
 
i have the 18i8 set for 10ms buffering.
 
anyone else have issues with this interface?
 
this is only with 2 tracks of audio.
 
!!!
 
thanks in advance.
fred

it has been intermittent for a while.
 
i will try disconnecting the Boss units. don't need to run the GT editor while recording.
 
can't really go without the mouse though.
 
i've been reading about a lot of issues with the Scarletts losing USB connection.
 
 

found this:
 
https://www.reddit.com/r/audioengineering/comments/41lolp/scarlett_2i2_to_usb_30/
 
the last post cracked me up:
 
[–]crwrd -4 points 3 months ago 
Oh weird another scarlett 2i2 post.

which led me to this:
 
http://beta.focusrite.com/
 

Scarlett MixControl 1.9b12Released on 03-07-16 17:29

Mac and Windows New Features/Bug Fixes since previous release:
- Updates 6i6, 18i8 and 18i20 firmware to 1056
- Fixes for streaming while synced to ADAT
- Fixed setting recall after power cycle

**It is not possible to roll back the firmware after update, if you are unsure whether you should update, please contact Focusrite Technical Support**

**Earlier Windows versions of Scarlett MixControl will not work with the driver contained within this installer, and this Windows version of Scarlett MixControl will not work with earlier versions of the USB 2 driver**

------

New Windows Driver Features/Bug Fixes since previous release:
- Change in sample-rate behaviour
- Latency reporting improvements
- Updates USB 2 driver to version 3.2.1 beta.
- Improved compatibility with Pro Tools
- Numerous other bug fixes and structural improvements
- Comprehensive logging to facilitate future bug reporting
- Adds 1-channel WDM formats
- Adds multi-channel WDM formats
- Adds 24-bit WDM support
- Improves upgrade process from previous drivers
- Fixes sample rate change instructions from Scarlett MixControl
- Fixes bug where sample rate mismatch can occur after sleep
- Fixes 16 bit audio streaming in Sound Forge 10
- Replaced USB Buffer Size with USB Performance Mode
- Additional streaming improvements
 
Focusrite beta drivers.
will try tonight.
 
carefully.
 

and probably more importantly:
 

Focusrite USB2 Drivers 3.2.1Released on 07-10-15 14:50

Windows only.

This driver is compatible with Focusrite Scarlett USB 2.0 Audio Interfaces only.

KNOWN ISSUE: Windows 10 users may encounter connection issues with the 2i2 and 2i4. Leaving the interface to connect for a couple of minutes will allow it to connect as normal.

If you continue to experience connection problems with Windows 10, please contact us at beta@focusrite.com

Note: This build contains changes in sample-rate switching behaviour. ASIO DAWs will be unable to change sample-rate if a WDM client (default Windows sound) is streaming.

New Features/Bug Fixes since previous release version:
- Improved compatibility with Pro Tools
- Numerous other bug fixes and structural improvements
- Comprehensive logging to facilitate future bug reporting
- Adds 1-channel WDM formats
- Adds multi-channel WDM formats
- Adds 24-bit WDM support
- Improves upgrade process from previous drivers
- Some sample rate change fixes
- Fixes bug where sample rate mismatch can occur after sleep
- Fixes 16 bit audio streaming in Sound Forge 10
- Replaced USB Buffer Size with USB Performance Mode

New Features since previous beta release:
- Change in sample-rate behaviour
- Latency reporting improvements

Please report any problems via your beta testing login or by emailing beta@focusrite.com, and you will be advised regarding capturing logging output to aid our developers.
ScarlettUAC2Install-beta-3.2.1-261-tdl.exe

i managed a CHAT with a Focusrite tech.
 
before messing with the BETA drivers, he recommended 
 
https://support.focusrite.com/hc/en-gb/articles/207546695-Optimising-your-PC-for-audio-on-Windows-8
 
first.
 
he didn't recommend installing the BETA drivers outright without contacting tech support first.
 
he stressed ALL Windows updates need to be installed. which, funnily (or not so...), i have avoided.
 
so, i will take his recommendations first - install all my Win 8.1 updates and disable a bunch of crap per the above page.
 
we shall see. i will post.
thanks all
fred

Happy days!