ProTools 9 not responding

[jpaul1988]

This is a second post about this problem. My first one was on June 26; however, I refreshed the laptop to a previous date and ProTools functioned until two days ago. I'll give complete details, but wanted to state that up front.

- Computer model and processor speed
Model : Toshiba Satellite C875 Type1Family
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-3120M CPU @ 2.50GHz (2C 4T 2.5GHz, 2.5GHz IMC, 2x 256kB L2, 3MB L3)
Socket/Slot : FC PGA988
(Also listed on the Sandra report)

- OS version
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 8.1 Home 6.03.9600
Platform Compliance : x64

- Avid hardware model
I use two interfaces. An MBOX 2 (two input) and an M-Audio Fast Track Ultra 8R (8 input).

- Pro Tools version
Pro Tools 9.0.6

- Amount of RAM installed
Total Memory : 7.89GB DDR3 SO-DIMM (8 Gigs)

- Drive Information
TOSHIBA MK5075GSX (500.1GB, SATA300, 2.5", 5400rpm, 8MB Cache) : 466GB (C:)
Also tired a WD My Passport 070A USB disk drive in NTFS file system at 5400 rpm speed.

- Trouble Shooting already done
On June 26, I refreshed the system to June 16, and Pro Tools had functioned properly until July 26. On June 26 after the refresh I disabled auto Windows updates, and had only been installing Windows defender updates. On July 26 I refreshed the system to July 4, and Pro Tools functioned properly only after initial refresh. The follow day, July 27, Pro Tools began to malfunction. I have performed all the optimizations listed in the Help us Help you link. I have not allowed any windows or windows defender updates to install. On the June 26 incident, I uninstalled Pro Tools and reinstalled. I've tried both audio interface devices before and after the uninstall and reinstall. I searched online and the DUC and didn't see any specific scenario applicable to mine as I'm not receiving any errors.

- Description of problem
Pro Tools 9 launches properly, and I can open a recent session. When I attempt to do anything after the session has loaded (i.e. click a drop down menu, click on the edit window or mix window, click play, click rewind to the front) Pro Tools essentially freezes. The cursor will turn into the blue circle and spin and spin. Once in a while it will actually perform the action; however, it will be approximately 30 seconds after action was taken with the mouse. The top of the Pro Tools window will have (Not Responding). I never receive an error. It simply is either lethargic or non-responsive to the click commands, and will not play or record. Again, when playing or recording, I do not receive any errors.

I have a video of this occurring if that is helpful (no audio).
http://youtu.be/f38DHr6q4xw

I've also attached some screen shots of the optimization I've performed.

This is the Sandra Report:
SiSoftware Sandra

ID
Host Name : Owner
Workgroup : WORKGROUP

Computer
Model : Toshiba Satellite C875 Type1Family
Serial Number : ZC24*****
Chassis : Notebook
Mainboard : Intel PLCSF8
Serial Number : Type2 - Board**************
BIOS : Insyde Corp. 6.80 10/01/2013
Total Memory : 7.89GB DDR3 SO-DIMM

Processors
Processor : Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-3120M CPU @ 2.50GHz (2C 4T 2.5GHz, 2.5GHz IMC, 2x 256kB L2, 3MB L3)
Socket/Slot : FC PGA988

Chipset
Memory Controller : Toshiba Core (Ivy Bridge) Mobile DRAM Controller 100MHz, 2x 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM 1.6GHz 128-bit, Integrated Graphics

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : Nanya NT4GC64B88B0NS-DI 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-12800S DDR3-1600 (11-11-11-29 5-40-13-6)
Memory Module : Samsung M471B5273CH0-CK0 4GB DDR3 SO-DIMM PC3-12800S DDR3-1600 (11-11-11-29 5-40-13-6)

Video System
Monitor/Panel : LGD Generic PnP Monitor (1600x1200, LP173WD1-TLE1, 17.1")
Video Adapter : Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 (16CU 128SP SM5.0 350MHz/1.1GHz, 32MB DDR3 1.6GHz 128-bit, Integrated Graphics)

Graphics Processor
OpenCL GP Processor : Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 (128SP 16C 350MHz/1.1GHz, 1.8GB DDR3 1.6GHz 128-bit, Integrated Graphics)
Compute Shader Processor : Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 (128SP 16C 350MHz/1.1GHz, 64MB DDR3 1.6GHz 128-bit, Integrated Graphics)

Storage Devices
TOSHIBA MK5075GSX (500.1GB, SATA300, 2.5", 5400rpm, 8MB Cache) : 466GB (C:)
TSSTcorpCDDVDW SN-208AB (SATA, DVD+-RW, CD-RW) : N/A (E:)

Logical Storage Devices
TI10657400D (C:) : 454GB (NTFS) @ TOSHIBA MK5075GSX (500.1GB, SATA300, 2.5", 5400rpm, 8MB Cache)
System : 450MB (NTFS)
Hard Disk : 450MB (NTFS)
Recovery : 10GB (NTFS)
Optical Drive (E:) : N/A @ TSSTcorpCDDVDW SN-208AB (SATA, DVD+-RW, CD-RW)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : Toshiba Panther Point LPC Controller
LPC Legacy Controller 1 : T0 00-00
Audio Device : Toshiba Panther Point High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Codec : Realtek Semi High Definition Audio
Disk Controller : Toshiba Panther Point Mobile 6 port SATA AHCI Controller
USB Controller 1 : Toshiba Panther Point USB xHCI Host Controller
USB Controller 2 : Toshiba Panther Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #2
USB Controller 3 : Toshiba Panther Point USB Enhanced Host Controller #1
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : Intel ICH SMBus

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Send To Microsoft OneNote 2010 Driver (1200x1200, Colour)
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer v4 (600x600, Colour)
Fax : Microsoft Shared Fax Driver (200x200)
Printer : Brother HL-5250DN series (600x600, USB)

Sensors
Location : Microsoft Windows Location Provider (Location, Triangulation)

Network Services
Network Adapter : Realtek PCIe FE Family Controller (Ethernet)
Wireless Adapter : Realtek RTL8188CE Wireless LAN 802.11n PCI-E NIC (802.11n (HT), AES-CCMP, 65Mbps)

Power Management
Battery No 1 : TKBSS NS2P3SZMC4WR 48.40Wh/3.89Ah

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 8.1 Home 6.03.9600
Platform Compliance : x64

Windows Experience Index
Current System : 4.8

Thanks,

[mjslakeridge]

A couple of things I noticed from your Sandra Report. First, it looks like you only have one hard drive (as is typical with many laptops), and it does not meet the minimum specs for PT (7,200 rpm minimum). Second, the i3 processor is underpowered for PT. Third, your 2 memory modules are by 2 different manufacturers. This may not be a problem, but not ideal. But if I were to guess, the hard drive is your biggest problem here.

[jpaul1988]

MJ, thanks for the reply. Correct, the hard drive is not the recommended 7200 rpm; however, I have operated PT9 on the machine from March 2013 until June 26 flawlessly. No errors, no slow downs, it has been really great up until recently.

Thnaks

[AudioEngineer591]

Buy a SATA600 7200 RPM hard drive or get an SSD. And download and update your Intel 4000 graphics card drivers. Your NOT suppose to use or have an integrated graphics card anyway, its suppose to be a Dedicated Graphics card like Nvidia or AMD.

http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect

[sw rec]

Your luck ran out trying to record to the system drive, too. You REALLY need a dedicated recording drive if you want this to work right. From day one on the troubleshooting page:
IMPORTANT! You MUST use a secondary hard drive (not your main OS drive) for recording and playback of audio in Pro Tools. Recording or playback from the OS drive is known to be problematic and the cause of many different error types. If you are using your system drive and encountering errors, the first thing you should do is get a compatible drive.
Pro Tools supports recording and playback to a secondary drive that meets the following requirements:

• 7200 rpm or faster
• 9ms seek time or faster

[zedhed]

Originally Posted by jpaul1988

I have operated PT9 on the machine from March 2013 until June 26 flawlessly. No errors, no slow downs, it has been really great up until recently.

Thnaks

Consider yourself lucky to have gotten any performance (and I find it hard to believe PT ever ran to it's full potential) running on this platform.

As stated, i3 processor, Integrated graphics, mis-matched RAM and hard drives that don't meet the minimum standards, no wonder it's not working.

[jpaul1988]

Thank you for the replies. I appreciate you taking the time to do so.