Windows 7 - [Realtek][Win7] "Scratchy" Sound Problem

Hello

Ive been browsing this forum to see if I could find any solution to my problem but I havent been able to track down any. So I decided to go ahead and ask you guys


First a little info about my specs:

Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-EX58-UD3R
Soundcard: Onboard Realtek
OS: Windows 7

Driver info:
Driver Publisher: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Date: 06.07.2009
Driver version: 6.0.1.5888
Digitally Signed by: Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publishe

My problem is that I get this "Scratchy" sound when I play any sound, doesnt matter if it is a game or music or video. The sound is like from an old LP with a scratch in it. It comes at random intervals, its not there all the time. Barely noticable when I play metal music but when I play more "calm" music it becomes very noticable.

I have removed the drivers completely and reinstalled. I have tried the older version drivers also to no help. When I first installed Windows 7 it was all fine but after some driver update it started. Tried to install the initial drivers also but didnt help.

So what to do? Im pretty lost and Im getting very frustrated at this, I dont want to reinstall windows at the moment but it seems that might be the one and only solution unless one of you knows whats wrong.

Thanx in advance!

I am having a similar (actually worse) problem with the onboard realtek sound card on my Aspire T180 using Windows 7 RTM 64 bit. The Acer sit is useless, I downloaded the Vista/Win 7 Driver from Realtek site and at least I could get some sound sometimes, but so far not working only intermittently. I have a cheap (about GBP5) USB external sound card (small as a thumb drive) and it works fine. Hopefully Realtek will get its act together and get some proper Win 7 Drivers out soon.

Hmm, I just read something I must have missed in the Realtek thread.

I turned off the Gigabyte Energy Saver application and it has worked perfect since then. Just waiting for that annoying skipscratch sound to appear thou.

So far it seems to be the solution to my problem, will post here if it didnt help. Going to try to play some video files +++ to make 100% sure.

Edit: Seems my problem is no longer a problem. Fixxed in other words.. Thanks to the one posting this in the Realtek driver sticky thread!

If you have GTA 4 installed .. try uninstall it . Worked for me .

Well, there are thousands out there suffering from realtek driver issues, me included. My advice: quit banging your head against the wall.

It's up to realtek to deliver a working driver and since the official release of Windows 7 isn't until oct 22 being patient is best

DjDead

I have the exactly same problem as you..
May i know what is Gigabyte Energy Saver application and how to turn it off? Is that inside my mobo BIOS?
Btw, I'm using Gigabyte G31M-S2L motherboard.


EDIT

My dad had this problem on his computer. Turns out he had Dolby 5.1 enabled when he only had 2 speakers. This was causing the 2 speakers to be used as front right and left speakers (meaning they were acting as surround speakers) making them sound scratchy.

Might not be your problem, but if it was, its an easy fix....

Same. I have a Logitech Headset and Rock Live sounds like crap.

I had realtek installed but it didn't seem to help

No..it is not caused by setting i guess..
this problem only happen in Windows 7 though.. weird.. (i will say that it might be related between DirextX11 and sound..)

however, i tried almost all suggestion in the internet still no fixes..

@rangerevo8
It is an application that follows on the Gigabyte driver CD. If you never installed it, I doubt that can possibly be the problem

@everyone
But my problem still persists allthou in a lesser scale than before. So Im still trying to figure out what is causing this distortion.

It is not due to Dolby 5.1 or similar settings as Ive set it to default stereo with nothing fancy enabled.