Windows 7: Speakers Make Occasional Pop/click noise independent of volume

Lately my HP Pavilion dv7 -6135dx has been making a popping noise from the speakers which is independent of both the laptop's set volume and the devices plugged into it. I have checked, and I'm certain that it's not the "Click of Death," as it's not consistent, comes from nowhere near my hard drive, happens independently of memory usage, and will sometimes cause my headphones to "dull" in volume for a brief second. SMART data checks via DiskCheckup also say my HD is working fine, though as I know, SMART isn't always reliable.



The sound comes either from my speakers directly, or from my speaker region at the back of the laptop. Covering the speakers muffles it, so I'm almost certain it's the speakers themselves. The only way I'm able to replicate this sound is to unplug an inserted audio device like a headset. Otherwise it happens at seemingly random intervals. As I said, it's not consistent, but it's happened multiple times in a row before. I think the highest string was five.

My device manager says that the drives are working fine, and this problem has only recently started in the past week or two. I haven't updated my drives recently (at least that I'm aware of) so I don't think it's that either. Google's been of little help as well. The laptop's not even a year old, but it sees a heavy amount of use.

EDIT: I recently moved in for a visit with my father to Okinawa for a two month period. I've heard interference from a wireless network could cause similar problems to this. Could the new wireless connection be causing it? They also use Japanese AU smartphones.

I would start checking for RFI Sources.

More:
RFI TIPS AND TRICKS

RFIing Computers

http://www.rsm.govt.nz/cms/pdf-libra...ion-guide.pdf/

Identifying Sources of Radio Frequency Interference Around the Home

EMI - RFI page

Is there a way to check and see if that's the problem first? Would disabling the wireless on my laptop effect it if that were the case?

You could try that, some wi-fi adapters can cause RFI. Check this link especially the two replies by CyberVisions: Internet constantly disconnecting - HP Support Forum

I know your concerns don't include dis-connects, but there is some good advice there. RFI's can be hard to track down.

It might be easier to make a Faraday Cage out of aluminum foil to check.

Just get a box large enough that your dv7 will fit in, and cover it securely with the foil.

Work with the dv7 while it's inside the box, this will in all probability defeat your wi-fi.
Make sure you do not have any electrical devices or metal on you such as a portable phone.

• Change positions every 90°'s, (because the box has an opening)
• Change rooms.
• Go to a different level of your house if your in one.
• Does it happen at a friends/relatives home?

See if that stops the pops, and clicks.

If it stops then concentrate your search in the areas that the dv7 is shielded from.

It is harder to do with your dv7 because it is a Laptop, but on my desktop I had to cover our speakers with foil to stop the RFI.

By chance...
Your not using any after-market accessories like a power cord or battery for your dv7 are you?
They may be inferior to approved HP products.

Hmmm... Alright, I'll do that when I get the chance then. Probably on tuesday when I'll have the house to myself for a while and I can go through it all without interruptions.

I've been thinking about your problem, and there have been other reasons for speakers to pop or crackle, and as I looked into this further it seems you may have a DPC latency situation, and should look into that instead of RFI.

See this thread for help: DPC Latency

Causes for latency: DPC Latency Post #14

Make sure your machine is fully up to date.

Are we talking about the dv7 you mentioned or the Toshiba you have listed in your System Specs?

It would help if you could supply more System Information on which one you are having the problem with. System Info - See Your System Specs

More:
dv7 IDT HD Audio headphones/speaker problem - HP Support Forum

The thing is that I haven't been using a USB audio device. The only new USB device I've introduced to the laptop has been a new 8GB flash drive (PNY Premium Rotatable) to back up my personal files when I got here, as I'd forgotten my own at home. I've been using headphones that plug into the laptop via green speaker jack, and as I said the pop/crackle happens even when there's nothing plugged in, just not as frequently. Could dust in the audio jack possibly be causing this? Perhaps making the PC thing something is being fumbled around inside there when it actually isn't?

Also, I'm on a dv7. I had a toshiba when I registered with these forums. My laptop had been bluescreening at the time. Turns out it was an incompatible windows update.

Anyways, here's the system info:

CPU: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2410M CPU @ 2.30GHz

Motherboard: Hewlett-Packard 1659

BIOS: InsydeH2O Version 03.60.48F.1B

Total Memory: 8 GB

Usable Memory: 7.95 GB

HDD: Hitachi HTS547575A9E384

Sound Card: (1) Screaming Bee Audio (2) IDT High Definition Audio CODEC (3) Intel(R) Display Audio

Graphics Card: (1) Mobile Intel(R) HD Graphics (2) Radeon (TM) HD 6490M

OS: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1

Did you read this?
USB isn't the only cause of Latency.


Thanks for the added info, please update your "My System Specs".

Alrighty, specs updated. I used the Latency Checker and there were some spikes, but they hardly ever passed the green line (500) and never reached yellow (1000.)

Now that you mention the device driver, is it actually possible that the flash drive's original driver installation is causing the latency? Now that I think about it, I think I also installed my logitech webcam in a different usb port.

Thank you.

For how long did you use it? Long enough that you heard the pops/crackles?

Did you try to replicate it while the DPC Latency Checker tool (DPCLCT) was running?
Does it happen when you plug a headset in?

I'm beginning to think its a loose headset jack, does it wiggle when you touch it?
If it does, and you feel industrious, here's the service manual to show you how to take the covers off:
HP Pavilion dv7 Entertainment PC Maintenance and Service Guide pdf

Here's a smaller one: HP Pavilion dv7 Notebook PC Maintenance and Service Guide.pdf

The new connection will need to be check along with the flash drive, and webcam while the DPCLCT is running.
You will need to go to the respective vendor sites to make sure you have the newest installation/driver version.
I don't know for sure, but I don't think the AU smartphone would cause problems unless it was plugged in to the dv7.

This will take some sleuthing on your part, follow the "Analysing drop-out problems with DPC Latency Checker" section here: DPC Latency Checker