Why do you want to run Bitcoin Core and Armory simultaneously? Is not Armory enough?
Usually, Armory runs Bitcoin Core in background. I think if you uncheck that option, you may not get any problem.
I keep bitcoind running in the background continuously under Windows 7 so that when I start Armory the load time is significantly reduced because the blockchain is already updated. I also have the checkbox in Armory about letting Armory run bitcoind. So far now problems after about 3 months.
As far as being stuck at 9 hours I can't help there. Sorry!!