HP Envy14-2014ee Playing music, it stops INTERMITTENTLY!!! [ Edited ]

[Dragon-Fur]

Hey CoolBlaze,

Thanks for checking back.

Windows Media Player can have "run amuck" issues all by itself and result in high CPU usage readings.  I am not sure whether it has these issues while being used.  Tracking anything in a frozen system is one of those "Catch 22" situations. 

I've not used SharkCodec - I cannot comment on it.  The information is important as it provides context.

Questions / Options:

• What happens when you disconnect from the internet while watching a movie or listening to music? 
• Have you used MediaMonkey?  (I do not have an opinion about it, just curious...)
• This might be worth checking.  This is a program for eradicating Malware.  Load, use, remove type stuff.  Or, load, use, leave on for next time...  I might hold this for later if you think your system is healthy.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free

Options:

• Make sure that BIOS is updated
• You might reinstall the Display driver, too.  Drivers can corrupt just with use.  (I remember you said the scan was clean, nonetheless...)
• Is the computer getting hot?  Are you providing enough circulation / air flow?  HP Notebooks are not Laptops...stick a cooler under the notebook.

Something to try: Turn off all the fancy "extras":

I did not mention this earlier because I was making the assumption the system is adequately powered.  It may not be.  We have not discussed Specifications.  It's a nice exercise; essentially useless - the system is what the system is.  You know what you bought.  If you bought a small system, you get small performance.  Most people do not bother to write in about small systems performing in small ways.

Having said that, it is possible to push an adequate system too hard. 

There is a limit to what the processors can handle.  Instructions pile up, the system begins to "swap", the computer slows down.  At some point, it is possible for things to become so tangled, that everything just thrashes about - nothing gets done.  The user is left sitting in front of a frozen screen wondering what is happening.  In many cases, the backlog eventually works loose and the display functions again.  Computers are a lot smarter than they used to be about this, but it still happens too often.

More Work and Less Play:

Try eliminating more of the variables, that is, take away more of the computer's excuses for not giving you what you want.  Strip away the fancy " extras" that make your Windows 7 pretty.   See just giving the computer "more work" and "less frills" helps.

Plain and Boring Background:

Turn OFF any fancy background on the Display, especially if you have a background that changes the picture every so often.  Too much resource used for this!

Performance Setting:

Control Panel > Performance Information and Tools > Advanced Tools >

  Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows > Performance Options >

  Select "Adjust for best performance" > OK

Turn all the fancy bits back on later...  If you cannot stand to turn them all off, even temporarily, then turn off everything you can live without.  Some of the nicer display functions are resource hogs.  Who needs "Mouse Shadow"?

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Check for Disk Errors:

You might want to check the disk(s) for errors.  If your music / movies are kept on a second disk, you may need to check that second disk as well as the main disk.

Start > search / type "compu" > Click on "Computer Management" >

Left-Click on ( C: )   (to highlight the main disk drive)

Right-Click > Properties > Tools tab > Error Checking > Check Now / "Check the Drive for Errors" >

Make sure the boxes are checked > RESTART (reboot) the computer (to start the check) ...

BE AWARE that this procedure can take several hours to complete before it boots back into Windows.

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Defrag the Disk(s):

If you do not keep the disks defragmented, this too, could be causing problems.  Defragmentation is something one usually sets up on a schedule so I'd not thought of it earlier... it can bite you if you don't take care of this maintenance item.

Good Luck!

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                                 2012 Year of the Dragon!

Dragon Tips!

Anti-Virus Software helps keeps your computer safe.  These two respected programs have free versions and are compatible with the Windows security software.  Note that neither of the suggestions below is compatible with Norton (which comes loaded with some Operating Systems).  If Norton is on your computer, you will have to remove it (from Programs and Features) before using either of the options below. 

Avast Anti-Virus

AVG Anti-Virus

If you would like other recommendations for Antivirus Software, you can check out Microsoft’s own page on the subject, where you can find links to many companies who provide Windows 7 compatible products.

Windows 7 consumer security software providers

[coolblaze]

Hello DragonFur,

Thank you from your tireless reply.

I  tried other mp3 player like winamp as suggested from the HP tech support, to find out the problem. I got the same result as with windows media player.

- problem is the same when disconnected from the internet.

- I'm not using MediaMonkey

- BIOS is updated (I updated all drivers as well as windows, and make windows repair)

- the computer is not getting hot, my room temp is 20°C, and the laptop is place on the cooler.

- no fancy stuff in my laptop as I just freshly reformated it a gain

I did some research about the "Highest Active Time" in Disk usage when I ran the Resource Monitor. I got 100% and the application that take much resources is media player. When it reach 80% up to 100% highest active time, the music got stuttered (sorry I forgot to get the source link because I did the research in my house, I'm replying you now from my work ). So the forum says need to install the Intel Storage Matrix that might help... then some guys said if the harddive is Western Digital it should be replace... maybe there is problem with the HD. Well I got so many issues with WD harddrives before with the other computer, I replaced a lot. I was thinking last nigt to purchase new harddisk, but my laptop is still under warranty so I decided to send back to the HP. I hope they will replace it.

Thank you and Regards,

[Dragon-Fur]

Hi Cool,

If you are convinced from the tests that this is a hardware issue, then the best course of action is to send in the unit for repair.

Windows Media Player has a known issue that can allow it to run amuck and eat all the resource ... Eventually freezing the computer.  It can do this in the background when other programs are running.  It may be at the root cause of your problems. Yes, I realize you are using the Windows Media Player program when this is happening... I am wondering if you have tripped over another bug in Media Player.

I would think it is worth testing.

To test this in a reasonable manner, you have to download, install, and use a completely different full feature media player software package.  Use it to listen to your music.  You have to watch the Resource Monitor to assure that Windows Media Player does not sneak in and to steal resource while you are using the other Player software. 

If, when you are using the different software, Windows Media Player sneaks in, steals resource, and threatens to freeze your computer, you should kill the Windows Media Player process.  If Windows Media Player will not stay away and it hangs your system, then you could disable Media Player in Services.

You would not be the first user to whom this has happened, only the "next in line".  The bug was supposed to have been fixed but seems to have surfaced recently (as of a couple of months back)... you could be suffering from " Windows Media Player overload". 

I do not have an opinion on which of the media player softwares are best.  Use / download / purchase whatever you like.

Best of Luck!  I do hope this is resolved!

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       Please Mark my Post “Accept as Solution” to say "Yes!"

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                        Operating System and an Error Description

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                                 2012 Year of the Dragon!

[coolblaze · Accepted solution]

Hi DragonFur,

I did not send my laptop to repair center because on my final testing, I found out that when I put the volume on max then it start the music choked when playing. This is seems like freezing and on resource monitor it takes highest active time when it happens. So now still under observation, playing music on low volume and it's fine now for 3 days, but this is not what I had expected. On my dv6 I can put the volume on max.

Regards,

John

[Dragon-Fur]

CoolBlaze,

Solution, then. Good News!  I am glad you spent the extra time testing.  Persistance usually pays.  One is not always happy with the results, but knowledge is better than wondering why something does not work as expected.

I suspect you were just pushing the resources too hard for this notebook.  It is seens that your dv6 is built to different specs - hardware, drivers (programs that drive the hardware) and the programs that drive the software differ greatly from computer to computer.  It is one of the reasons it can be so difficult to select a computer in the first place.  Smiling.

For this notebook, you'll need powered, high quality external speakers that you do not need to run on full volume.  It is actually a reasonable outcome, all things considered.  Your notebook speakers will last longer, the music - on high quality speakers, will sound much more to your liking, and you will have a great listening experience.

I am glad you found a workaround.

Good Luck!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     When you appreciate the Help you receive…

       Please Click the Kudos Star on the Left to say "Thank You"!

    Is it Solved? Make it easier for other people to find the Answer: 

       Please Mark my Post “Accept as Solution” to say "Yes!"

 Remember:  The more information you provide, the better help you receive.

Always Include:  (Computer) Product Number  ,  Printer – Model Number ,

                        Operating System and an Error Description

                             Never give out your Serial Number

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                 2012 Year of the Dragon!

[coolblaze]

Hi DragonFur,

Perhaps, we can consider it a solution but not satisfied...  I learnt a lesson, never buy an electronic product on the first release wait for the next one. I'm sure the engineers  they already fixed the problem on the second release.

Thanks!