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Hosted Forums => foobar2000 => Support - (fb2k) => Topic started by: Revup67 on 2019-02-05 03:50:19

Title: Unpredictable Stops in Foobar (not responding)
Post by: Revup67 on 2019-02-05 03:50:19
Hello
first thanks for trying to assist.  I am running two computers with the same issue and of the last week or so maybe two.
Windows 7 with all the latest updates and Windows 10 on a Surface Pro
Foobar 1.42
no outdated components, no conflicting components
NAS WDC Media Server hard wired with Cat 6 to router
Windows 7 PC, i7, 6gig RAM hard wired with Cat 5e internal to Switch then hard wired to router
Windows 10 Surface Pro i7, 8 Gig ram with Wifi and / have tried hard wired directly to same router where NAS server is hard wired.  everything from start to finish is all CAT 6, 1 Gig LAN in this situation.
Ping tests show 1ms, no drops from both PC's. ran the -t option and its consistent without drops for about 1 minute (then concluded test as no issues)
Ant virus set to exclude:  Foobar in x86 folder and also Roaming\Foobar folder (saw thread on Defender issue)

In the images attached, 2 are from the NAS showing plenty of resources with RAM and CPU and a second image showing bandwidth consumed.  these screen shots were streaming via WiFi on the Surface Pro/Windows 10 with no other computers "on" accessing the NAS.  final image shows a connection at 565.5 Mbps but this connection runs as high as 710 Mbps.  Bandwidth needed is well below this amount 2-20Mbps as I've seen

I have been using: DSD:WASAPI (shared) in all cases for all files and recently disabled any and all DSD processing within Foobar and  upgraded to 1.42.  Just using the PCM output.

The drops occur at random sometimes for a second or two, sometimes for several seconds with 1 or more instances of the latter.
 At this point I am completely stumped as to the issue.  I read elsewhere a Memory Dump might help but might need insight and where to send. Open to any and all ideas and if I have left out any critical info please advise..using Foobar only since Dec 2018 work in IT which may (or may not) help :) - thanks much for your assistance
Rev
Title: Re: Unpredictable Stops in Foobar (not responding)
Post by: Revup67 on 2019-02-05 05:09:12
PS this error occurs also within Foobar 1.42:  "Unrecoverable playback error: WASAPI playback thread terminated"
Title: Re: Unpredictable Stops in Foobar (not responding)
Post by: Case on 2019-02-05 08:03:12
The drops occur at random sometimes for a second or two
What exactly do you mean by drops? In the title you talk about stops and "not reponding", so does foobar2000 freeze for a couple of seconds?

You should try the default DirectSound output too to rule out problem with the WASAPI component.

PS this error occurs also within Foobar 1.42:  "Unrecoverable playback error: WASAPI playback thread terminated"
Personally I have only seen that error when disconnecting the playback device. Unplug USB DAC while playing through it and the component will give an error instead of switching output to another device. But if that's not what happens there you should find explanation for thread termination from the console (View -> Console). The component prints error messages there when running into problems.
Title: Re: Unpredictable Stops in Foobar (not responding)
Post by: Revup67 on 2019-02-05 18:31:25
Foobar stops playing the audio track (FLAC, WAV, ISO etc).

In some instances Foobar shows "not responding" which was noted on the Windows 7 computer only,  on Windows 10 Foobar freezes but does not show "not responding", the audio of course stops (i.e drops the stream) halting playback momentarily or a complete full stop.
I am not using a separate DAC nor any USB devices this is Surface Pro tablet via WLAN or WAN to an NAS device with RAM, a Processor and full running OS.   I will go forward with your suggestion and View > Console and run the Direct Sound for awhile (good idea) and if WASAPI is the problem, what might you suggest if anything?

I've not ruled out also this may be an inherent issue within the NAS system (though 2 months old) itself since the issue is experienced  on two different PCs accessing this same host.  I'm also planning on trying other Media streaming software programs to see if I can reproduce this issue (such as Windows Media Player) or VLC.  thank you for the assistance.
Title: Re: Unpredictable Stops in Foobar (not responding)
Post by: Revup67 on 2019-02-05 19:06:00
Using DS: headphones only, audio paused a few times about 1 second each, then stopped for about 10 seconds and then resumed, Foobar did not show "not responding".  I've copy and pasted the Console data below.  I checked on FFMpeg and this version running on this system may be too old.  FFMpeg web site shows 4.1 is the newest and most stable below shows 3.2.4 - open to thoughts, thanks Case.

Components loaded in: 0:00.056778
Configuration read in: 0:00.004282
foobar2000 v1.4.2 [standard]
Watching: N:\Music
User Interface initialized in: 0:00.236204
Loading
FFmpeg version: 3.2.4
Autoplaylists initialized in: 0:00.046159
"Collection" : 0:00.046139
Startup time : 0:01.059342
Opening track for playback: "N:\Music\SACD 2ch Stereo\Santana - Santana (1969) [SACD] (2016\2015 - Santana.iso"
Automatic resampling: using Resampler (PPHS)
HDD wakeup - touching file: N:\{A53AE67A-5343-4E7C-9C19-63BC430EA8C7}
HDD wakeup - touched file: N:\{A53AE67A-5343-4E7C-9C19-63BC430EA8C7}
Opening track for playback: "N:\Music\SACD 2ch Stereo\Santana - Santana (1969) [SACD] (2016\2015 - Santana.iso"
Automatic resampling: using Resampler (PPHS)
HDD wakeup - touching file: N:\{A53AE67A-5343-4E7C-9C19-63BC430EA8C7}
HDD wakeup - touched file: N:\{A53AE67A-5343-4E7C-9C19-63BC430EA8C7}
Title: Re: Unpredictable Stops in Foobar (not responding)
Post by: anamorphic on 2019-02-05 21:55:05
Possibly unrelated...  This sounds suspiciously like when I used to run music off my USB drive (WD Passport) and it would constantly go to sleep - like every 60 seconds, causing exactly the same foobar symptoms you describe. Even the 'Prevent hard disk sleep while playing' setting had no effect (the 'HDD wakeup' part in console I think) - WD drives power down way too quick, especially when connected to a tablet with stricter power management than desktop.

(I'm not sure if any of this applies to a NAS though)
Title: Re: Unpredictable Stops in Foobar (not responding)
Post by: Case on 2019-02-06 06:56:52
Thanks for testing DS output. I'm happy to hear my WASAPI output wasn't the cause.
I have two more test suggestions for you. You could try if clean portable install with default settings also shows the problem when playing from the NAS. And you could try copying some files to local drive and see if your regular foobar2000 works correctly when the external drive is bypassed.
Title: Re: Unpredictable Stops in Foobar (not responding)
Post by: Revup67 on 2019-02-06 07:43:31
Case, sure those are two good ideas to try.  Both PC's have a standard install.  Would you prefer I uninstall and reinstall or reinstall and choose portable.  I could certainly move data files locally to the C drive (SSD) and try your route.  Perhaps I'll check the Power Saver mode on the NAS (not connected via USB) its over a 1 Gigabit LAN, hard wired.
Half the joy is gone without the WASAPI as you're aware :)
Update;  I just noted another user complaining about a new firmware update to this Western Digital EX 2 Ultra.  I opted to log in to the device and found the Power Saver "on" but my prior off hour settings reset to all hours "on".  That's been fixed now.  I'll ride with this for a bit, if no good then will move on your excellent suggestions.
Title: Re: Unpredictable Stops in Foobar (not responding)
Post by: Case on 2019-02-06 07:59:46
I suggested portable as that would not affect your current install. By default you get a separate foobar2000 directory on your desktop that won't touch your current settings.  Once you are done testing, you can just remove the entire dir.

I don't suggest removing your current version. If there is a problem with a component or some setting, I prefer figuring out what it is and fixing it.
Title: Re: Unpredictable Stops in Foobar (not responding)
Post by: Revup67 on 2019-02-08 08:49:46
hello Case, I am pleased to report a final solution.  This would apply to anyone who has a Western Digital EX2 Ultra or other Western Digital NAS drive (I suspect)

After swapping out routers, changing cables, trying 3 different media players, fiddling with options, vendor inquiries, ARP tests, packet tests, Ping Tests, Tracert tests, firmware updates, enabling everything hard wired and referring back to your mentioning on Power settings and an issue with the Western Digital drive, a "Restore to Default - System Only" (<<note System Only) within the Western Digital interface solved the entire skipping/pause/not responding issue.  I probably have close to 24 hours or more into this frustration and its gone.  (Be sure to backup your configuration prior to the reset)

I've been running about an hour all is in working order and under WASAPI too - normally I'd experience issues within 15 minutes or less

I sure hope this helps anyone who has this issue with a Western Digital NAS Drive and noticing skipping or pausing. 
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction
Rev
Title: Re: Unpredictable Stops in Foobar (not responding)
Post by: Rudolf128 on 2019-03-04 02:48:45
I have a similar problem. When beginning playback for the first time in a while, the first track played stops for about 2 or 3 seconds after having played about 1 or 2 minutes. Then, it resumes, and no more stops occur. The files are MP3.
I am using a HP Notebook with an internal disk with several partitions, and an external Toshiba 1 TB disk. The problem occurs only when using files hosted in the external disk, and not in any partition of the internal disk.
Does buffering have any relation with this problem? If so, how may I fix it?
Thanks.
Title: Re: Unpredictable Stops in Foobar (not responding)
Post by: Revup67 on 2019-03-04 05:22:32
I might suggest trying your scenario in other apps first such as Windows Media Player, Itunes, etc and see if the situation is identical.  If so, it may be hardware related.  If it can't be produced in these other apps then I would be sure to check your power settings in Control panel and put hard drive never goes to sleep or simply turn off all sleep options and run with A/C power only, not on battery.  If the 1TB is USB connected, try rebooting your laptop completely. Try also a second USB port.  Also check your computers resources for CPU/RAM etc.  You can also copy the MP3 file to your hard drive and run it this way also vs. the 1TB drive to see if the issue persists. Just a few thoughts before troubleshooting Foobar