Question Age of Empires 2 HD 2013: audio skipping/stutter/repeat on a laptop upgraded to Windows 11 24H2 ?

[danny009]

Since I upgraded to this trash Windows 11 I've been having multiple issues, from icons removing themselves to this childhood fave game audio skipping when playing in game. Before that it was crashing to the desktop while on main menu, I turned off Steam overlay and did set Windows 7 compatibility thing which let me load into the game without fuss but now having random audio stutter/skipping which repeats the same tune (like one of those retro Windows XP crashes back in the day)

This, however lets me play but with the said issue. Can't play like that so I'm looking for solutions from the Google anywhere I can find. Enabled directplay too. Have Avast AV so I added the entire folder of the game to allowlist as well. Some folks mentioned turning off Game Mode I did that too.

What else can I do to fix this? Windows 10 did not have this or any of the issues I'm having at the moment. My internal SSD missing it's thermal paste so can't really repair the entire Win11 image. (Not a issue since I play on externally) Also got the all updates from my ASUS oem webpage as well. Updated NVIDIA drivers plus AMD, all with DDU clean install.

Thanks for any suggestions in advance.

 

[Lutfij]

Since I upgraded to this trash Windows 11
+
Windows 10 did not have this
If by upgrade you mean that you upgraded t Windows 11 using the internal upgrade path, then you will need to reinstall Windows 11 using a recreated bootable USB installer. Make sure you're on the latest BIOS version for your platform, then install the OS in offline mode. Install all relevant drivers while in offline mode, before you run an update on the OS after connecting to the www.

 

[danny009]

Since I upgraded to this trash Windows 11
+
Windows 10 did not have this
If by upgrade you mean that you upgraded t Windows 11 using the internal upgrade path, then you will need to reinstall Windows 11 using a recreated bootable USB installer. Make sure you're on the latest BIOS version for your platform, then install the OS in offline mode. Install all relevant drivers while in offline mode, before you run an update on the OS after connecting to the www.

I simply did downloaded the Windows 11 installer (MediaCreationTool) either did create ISO clicked inside that or upgraded directly. I didn't needed to use any USB things. Don't get me wrong OS works mostly fine its just usual Microsoft stuff keep breaking things via updates but I managed to delay them to 2027 using "xxxxx delay" feature.

I also noticed "System" keep writing on to SSD as Task manager shows.

 

[TerryLaze]

(Not a issue since I play on externally)

I also noticed "System" keep writing on to SSD as Task manager shows.

You should explain all of your system so that people might understand what the issue is.
Do you have an internal disk right now? is it the ssd? Is windows on internal disk? What is the external disk and how is it connected?

 

[danny009]

You should explain all of your system so that people might understand what the issue is.
Do you have an internal disk right now? is it the ssd? Is windows on internal disk? What is the external disk and how is it connected?

ASUS Zephyrus G15 (2022) GA503RM, Ryzen 7 6900HX, RTX 3070 6gigs, Windows 11. 16GB DDR4. Internal laptop SSD WD SN735 with latest firmware. External Samsung T7 SSD plugged in via USB 3.1 port.

Ghelper,MS Clipchamp,OBS,Witcher 3,Hwinfo plus system itself installed on internal laptop SSD. Plus a few other games are on samsung t7. Avast AV on system SSD. Armoury Crate was kept writing things into my laptop SSD so I removed that as SSD HEALTH are in %96 acordding to Dashboard software WD/sandisk provides.
(Reinstalled Windows 10 a few times, currently on Win11 24h2, plus uninstalled RDR2 game a time from system SSD so my guess that reduced %1 health game is huge in size)

Reduced CPU to 29W on ghelper, turned off CPU turbo boost as I want to increase the cooling. 60Hz screen at all times as battery adapter gets hot so I stick with 60hz. Better Performance selected at new settings power page on Win11.

Monthly SSD optimization via Optimize Drives from Win11. Even though slider set to left 29W did not really helped in cooling the chassis of laptop but internal temps are in 60c'ish so its ok.

Turned off Windows Event Log service services.msc did not do anything as it keep writing stuff I think a bit often. Perhaps it did I do not know. I'm a control freak so I have to reduce the write. Age of empires 2 help is also welcome.

Thank you in advance,