Windows 7: When shutting down or sleep mode

I just installed Win 7 on my laptop and I don't know if this is something to be concerned about or not. When it goes into sleep mode (as in shutting lid) or when I shut down the machine, I hear a sharp pop or crack. It's not the speakers because I can mute volume and it still happens. Has anybody heard of this before? Would love any comments or advice. It doesn't sound healthy. Thanks

sounds like the power supply tripping its overload protection


but you would have to remove the side cover off the PC / then run a stress testing program like OCCT (free) and listen closely for the exact location of the clicking noise

OCCT should make the system do its shutdown; given your current situation

I experience something similar with my desktop. In my case the loud, singular pop is definitely emanating from the speakers and occurs at both boot-up or shutdown. Volume and mute have no control over it.

I had always assumed this anomaly was either sound card driver related or perhaps something caused by the sound card receiving or losing electrical power during the boot up or shutdown event, or in the OP's case, the sleep event.

In either case, I have experienced it across a couple of different desktops to the point where I consider it harmless but slightly annoying.