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I have just purchased a new computer but as i installed programs, a problem was introduced. I think I had seen the same problem on my previous computer, but that is a long story!
The effect is that the computer freezes for about 5 seconds and then continues. Associated with that is a message from the Realtek Audio informing me I have just plugged a device into the audio input. It does not require there to be any audio playing at the time this happens, though if there is audio, then that either goes silent or issues what can best be described as a buzz until the system resumes. The audio can also go into a state which i can only describe as like a stutter, where maybe it freezes for a few milliseconds at a time over a period of about 5 seconds. Sometimes this produces the Realtek message, though not always.
It seems that sometimes this can be triggered by activity, e.g calling a new web page in the browser. Often on returning to the machine after a period away, where the screen has blanked, waking the system up causes the Realtek message, but no obvious freezing of operation.
But the problem can also occur when the machine is not being used. I can be in the next room eating lunch and hear the audio freeze for the period associated with the problem.
With the new system, I started by sequentially installing the programs I required. This was a processed performed over several days as I was also working on the machine as well. Among the programs I had always installed was OpenOffice, I had been using this since it was first available, though I think generally LibreOffice now does better. But as I installed OpenOffice after several days without a problem, I heard the quality of the sound change and the problem started. On average, the problem manifests itself about once an hour, so i think the initial trouble free period up to the installation of OpenOffice identifies the culprit, but uninstalling it did not help. Windows repair tool claims to identify a problem and to have repaired it, requiring a reboot, but the problem still returns, so something somewhere is damaged. Google does nothing but confuse attempts to find the Realtek drivers which could be reinstalled.
I don't know where to go. I can't believe I am the only person suffering from this problem, yet I cannot find reference to such a problem on Google. So this is my last ditch effort to solve the problem before resorting to a clean install.
Regards, Paul Dixon
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Did the problem return? Hopefully not! Could you share instructions on which registry files to remove?
I uninstalled Intel RST and the system did not freeze/stutter for a whole day! I decided to reinstall Intel RST (from the OEM mobo site) and the problem slowly came back.
You would have to check Storage controllers for Intel RST not IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers both are in device manager. That doesn't mean you have it but it's good to look if you didn't. It could be a different problem for you.
I have under the IDE ATA/ATAPI controller only Standard SATA AHCI Controller which means that I don't have Intel Rapid Storage Technology installed on my computer.
When i reinstalled Intel RST, i began having more studdering than before. I did a clean uninstall and removed the registry files. Its been roughly 5 hours without any studdering or freezing occuring. This just may have solved the problem. Thank you Capt Crunch.
That is interesting about the Intel RST app. I do remember a failed install of this program which wouldn't allow me to open it or run the uninstaller so I manually removed it. I'm trying a fresh install of RST and see if the studdering still occurs. If it does, ill try removing it via the uninstaller and see if it goes away. Its worth a shot.
