ARRRRRRRRGGHHH popping/cracking audio

fortyways · 01-17-2008, 08:43 AM

I have a frustrating problem. I'll try to keep it concise. On the machine in my sig, the audio starts popping and cracking after a little gameplay. Then, it persists in other applications (Windows media player) after gameplay has stopped.

Attempted troubleshooting so far:

- Tried headphones instead of speakers. Problem persisted.
- Tried the same set of headphones and speakers with another computer, and an MP3 player. No problem.
- Installed a Creative Extreme Gamer card. Problem persisted, though slightly less intense.
- Tried both the front (case) and back (motherboard) outputs. Problem persisted.
- Formatted system. Updated drivers for both onboard audio and the Creative card. Problem persists.

I ripped the computer part and tomorrow I'm driving to Fry's to exchange the motherboard for an identical one. No such problem like this exists on the Asus forum for my mobo.

Is there any way at all that this could be caused by my CPU, RAM, video card, power supply, or hard drive? These are the only things I haven't changed through trouble shooting.

edit: my RAM passes memtest86. The HDD passes chkdsk in Vista. The PSU passes a voltage test, but hasn't been tested under load, only at idle.

brian · 01-17-2008, 08:46 AM

interfearince manybe

fortyways · 01-17-2008, 08:48 AM

I'm not really sure what you mean, would you mind elaborating?

brian · 01-17-2008, 08:52 AM

like if you have a cell by your speckers you will pickup the radio waves. anythign that comsums evergy puts out magnetic fealds that can generate interference... try pluging a ipod in the same spot like on top of the computer so you have the same surroundings and see if it does the same

fortyways · 01-17-2008, 08:56 AM

Well, the speakers haven't moved but the audio jack is right next to the onboard WiFi on this motherboard. Should I have a look at that?

Which part of the speaker system might pick up interference?

brian · 01-17-2008, 09:02 AM

well any part of it. usualy it is the wire. that is why on power cords or monitor cords you see thoughts "lumps" they are actually chunks of magnetic material that can cancel out the effect

meanman · 01-17-2008, 09:02 AM

i had the same problem it turned out that my router was to close to my speakers

fortyways · 01-17-2008, 09:25 AM

Sounds like it's definitely worth looking into the onboard wireless then.

I never knew that's what the lumps on monitor cables are for. Those nasty things won't fit through my monitor base's cable management.

fortyways · 01-19-2008, 07:12 AM

It turned out to be the driver. It just wasn't agreeing with Vista apparently. I uninstalled it and let Vista get its own, so now it's a generic "HD Audio Device," and the problem is gone.

colnagoboy · 01-21-2008, 07:57 PM

Although your configuration is different, cracking / popping noise is pretty common among audio interface, mainly due to the sampling rate is set too high or PCI latency issues, etc. There's a link for the PC digital audio troubleshooting guide, in which you may find it helpful.
http://www.mackie.com/support/docume...h_FAQ_no.1.pdf

01-17-2008, 08:43 AM	#1 (permalink)
fortyways banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,134	ARRRRRRRRGGHHH popping/cracking audio I have a frustrating problem. I'll try to keep it concise. On the machine in my sig, the audio starts popping and cracking after a little gameplay. Then, it persists in other applications (Windows media player) after gameplay has stopped. Attempted troubleshooting so far: - Tried headphones instead of speakers. Problem persisted. - Tried the same set of headphones and speakers with another computer, and an MP3 player. No problem. - Installed a Creative Extreme Gamer card. Problem persisted, though slightly less intense. - Tried both the front (case) and back (motherboard) outputs. Problem persisted. - Formatted system. Updated drivers for both onboard audio and the Creative card. Problem persists. I ripped the computer part and tomorrow I'm driving to Fry's to exchange the motherboard for an identical one. No such problem like this exists on the Asus forum for my mobo. Is there any way at all that this could be caused by my CPU, RAM, video card, power supply, or hard drive? These are the only things I haven't changed through trouble shooting. edit: my RAM passes memtest86. The HDD passes chkdsk in Vista. The PSU passes a voltage test, but hasn't been tested under load, only at idle. Last edited by fortyways; 01-17-2008 at 08:45 AM.

01-17-2008, 08:46 AM	#2 (permalink)
brian Diamond Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: California Age: 16 Posts: 3,417	interfearince manybe __________________ formerly brianmay27 Main laptop: hp dv9005us \| turion 64 X2 1.6 ghz \| 3 GB ram \| Vista ultimate \| 240 GB HD First build: pentium e2160 3.2 GHz \| gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L \| 2.5 GB ram \| 160GB HD If you can see this, you have WAY TOO much time on your hand. Or you're a mod going through my sig. But if you do, copy and past this in your sig.

01-17-2008, 08:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
brian Diamond Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: California Age: 16 Posts: 3,417	like if you have a cell by your speckers you will pickup the radio waves. anythign that comsums evergy puts out magnetic fealds that can generate interference... try pluging a ipod in the same spot like on top of the computer so you have the same surroundings and see if it does the same __________________ formerly brianmay27 Main laptop: hp dv9005us \| turion 64 X2 1.6 ghz \| 3 GB ram \| Vista ultimate \| 240 GB HD First build: pentium e2160 3.2 GHz \| gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L \| 2.5 GB ram \| 160GB HD If you can see this, you have WAY TOO much time on your hand. Or you're a mod going through my sig. But if you do, copy and past this in your sig.

01-17-2008, 08:56 AM	#5 (permalink)
fortyways banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,134	Well, the speakers haven't moved but the audio jack is right next to the onboard WiFi on this motherboard. Should I have a look at that? Which part of the speaker system might pick up interference? Last edited by fortyways; 01-17-2008 at 09:03 AM.

01-17-2008, 09:02 AM	#6 (permalink)
brian Diamond Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: California Age: 16 Posts: 3,417	well any part of it. usualy it is the wire. that is why on power cords or monitor cords you see thoughts "lumps" they are actually chunks of magnetic material that can cancel out the effect __________________ formerly brianmay27 Main laptop: hp dv9005us \| turion 64 X2 1.6 ghz \| 3 GB ram \| Vista ultimate \| 240 GB HD First build: pentium e2160 3.2 GHz \| gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L \| 2.5 GB ram \| 160GB HD If you can see this, you have WAY TOO much time on your hand. Or you're a mod going through my sig. But if you do, copy and past this in your sig.

01-17-2008, 08:48 AM	#3 (permalink)
fortyways banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,134	I'm not really sure what you mean, would you mind elaborating?

01-17-2008, 09:02 AM	#7 (permalink)
meanman Diamond Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: england Posts: 1,690	i had the same problem it turned out that my router was to close to my speakers __________________ my sig Intel Core 2 Quad Pro Q6600 "Energy Efficient 95W Edition ocd to 3.15 ghz Abit IP35 Pro (Socket 775) PCI-Express DDR2 Motherboard Crucial Ballistix 4GB (2x1GB) DDR2 PC2-8500C5 1066MHz EVGA GeForce 9800 GX2 "SSC Edition" 1024MB GDDR3 CoolerMaster Stacker 832 Coolermaster 700W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Compliant PSU member of the cod 4 www.cfclan.co.uk

01-17-2008, 09:25 AM	#8 (permalink)
fortyways banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,134	Sounds like it's definitely worth looking into the onboard wireless then. I never knew that's what the lumps on monitor cables are for. Those nasty things won't fit through my monitor base's cable management.

01-19-2008, 07:12 AM	#9 (permalink)
fortyways banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 1,134	It turned out to be the driver. It just wasn't agreeing with Vista apparently. I uninstalled it and let Vista get its own, so now it's a generic "HD Audio Device," and the problem is gone.

01-21-2008, 07:57 PM	#10 (permalink)
colnagoboy New Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 2	cracking / popping noise Although your configuration is different, cracking / popping noise is pretty common among audio interface, mainly due to the sampling rate is set too high or PCI latency issues, etc. There's a link for the PC digital audio troubleshooting guide, in which you may find it helpful. http://www.mackie.com/support/docume...h_FAQ_no.1.pdf

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