Windows' kernel audio mixer kmixer.sys eats up to 50% CPU

[Boberro]

Hey,

 

I noticed sometimes kmixer.sys file high consumes my CPU. Don't know what is wrong... Once it can happen during Winter season, another one when there are many choppers around.

 

Yesterday I reinstalled sound drivers (SoundMax) and I used Windows' SFC application to revert original system files. Problem still exists - only in BS.

 

I attached DxDiag report.

[EtherealN]

Could you see where kmixer.sys is located? It should be in C:\windows\system32\drivers

 

If it is located in c:\windows or c:\windows\system32 it might be a camouflaged trojan, virus or other malware.

 

Unfortunately, most of the problems I found on a search with kmixer was BSOD-related, and since that is not what is happening to you I don't know how applicable the solutions offered there are. (They were mostly "uninstall driver - reboot - install driver".)

[Boberro]

Yes it is in correct folder.

 

When I kill this process in Process Monitor I loose sound in BS, but IIRC another sounds play fine.

 

Interesting that earlier I didn't have this problem. Maybe it is sign to Windows reinstall or Windows 7 install ;]

[Panzertard]

Hi bud. Looked at your Dxdiag there.

I can't really see anything specificly regarding your sound/kmixer problems.

 

As for the Kmixer issue specificly;

- is it possible to find a newer sounddriver for your soundsystem?

- ram may be a factor, if you're running out of memory during the DCS session.

- Codec issues? Codecs may have been installed by other games or DVD/CD/Music applications. I'm not sure if the codec work takes place before or within the kmixer itself - but it may be a factor.

 

But all things considered when looking at the Dxdiag;

- Your system is "old". It's been living for quite a while. This tends to add up to the mount of garbage in Windows.

- 1024Mb of Ram. Windows and all software services may have a very small memory-window to work within ...

- Minor complaints about applications that are gone / missing / or even registry problems.

- Sound/Graphics drivers a tad dated, doesn't have to mean anything but it can still be a factor in the whole puzzle.

 

If I were in a situation like yours (considering the comments you left on my vistors page as well) - then I might have considered doing the follwoing;

- Getting some more RAM

- Reinstalled Windows / updated to Windows 7. Updating may be a tough choice, since your PC seems to be a bit dated - I don't know the effect of using Windows 7 vs Windows XP.

- Maybe look for a Graphics adapter with more onboard memory (your current one has 256 Mb dedicated mem).

 

Okai, I came off a bit OT regarding the Kmixer issue, I couldnt ignore the other facteors I noticed. It's just a friendly advice :)

[Boberro]

As for the Kmixer issue specificly;

- is it possible to find a newer sounddriver for your soundsystem?

 

I have just reinstalled to newest as possible.

 

 

- ram may be a factor, if you're running out of memory during the DCS session.

When I run DCS I have about 400 MB free... I used to use RAM compactor to reclaim Windows grabbed memory. But in past it has never done any problems. So before DCS I have 600 MB free and in game DCS itself gains more 150. So when I end game I have free about 750-800 MB. But as I said it has never done any problems yet.

 

- Codec issues? Codecs may have been installed by other games or DVD/CD/Music applications. I'm not sure if the codec work takes place before or within the kmixer itself - but it may be a factor.

Here I don't know... I have installed so many applications during this time... never had problems.

 

- Your system is "old". It's been living for quite a while. This tends to add up to the mount of garbage in Windows.

Yes i noticed it too... Windows ;]

 

- Minor complaints about applications that are gone / missing / or even registry problems.

These problems IIRC are not problem (related to DCS), cos earlier they existed too.

 

If I were in a situation like yours (considering the comments you left on my vistors page as well) - then I might have considered doing the follwoing;

- Getting some more RAM

- Reinstalled Windows / updated to Windows 7. Updating may be a tough choice, since your PC seems to be a bit dated - I don't know the effect of using Windows 7 vs Windows XP.

- Maybe look for a Graphics adapter with more onboard memory (your current one has 256 Mb dedicated mem).

I don't want to upgrade this crap cos either in Summer or in Autumn I think I'll get new PC. Hope I'll buy it finally.

 

You know I completely don't know what to bite. I don't know if it is system failure - logically it is not cos problem doesn't occur everytime. But DCS is not faulty too, same reason as Windows - not everytime it happens.

 

I am getting mad, maybe I reinstall to Win 7 for testing... anyway I play only in DCS and LO maybe it is enough to run both games with 15 FPS, same as in XP.

[Panzertard]

Is it SoundMax ADI1986A you have?

[Boberro]

Yes.

[Panzertard]

I did find a 5.12 driver here which says (2006/08/11 update); V5.12.1.5430 for Windows 2000/XP/2003;

http://support.asus.com/download/download_item.aspx?model=K8N-VM&product=1&type=Drivers&SLanguage=en-us

 

Okai, it's for another board, but the device should be the same - and it's a bit odd that this 5.12 seems older than your 5.10 driver. Hm. Not sure if it's gonna help you or not.

[Boberro]

I have just removed dust from my computer hardware. There were tons of dust... I check DCS first, and if it was not reason, I'll install newer sound driver as you described.

[Panzertard]

:thumbup: indeed - a very important thing to check, and so often forgotten.

Now since you reminded me of that - time to vacuum the puter :)

[Boberro]

Progress.

 

When I mute in Audio Propeties a Wave option problem is gone, but I don't have sound anywhere.

 

Also CPU hogging causes one file.... during startup procedure I think, becouse when I was running up, close to units kmixer ate 40% CPU. When I switched to another player (far from FARP) problem disappeared. It is interesting.... I think it is either OSA engine sound or somethink else in Ka-50.

 

But I don't know why I've got problem now.... not in past oO

[Boberro]

OK it seems problem was in graphic drivers. I reinstalled ForceWare yesterday and it is good now.

 

The problem was fixed yesterday.

[Panzertard]

So the graphics driver caused Kmixer to use more CPU?

[Boberro]

Yes, it is fu***** weird. oO

 

Thank you and EtheralN for yours efforts :)