Realtek, Windows 7 64RTM Crackle/static/popping

[AaronDude]

Anybody have any idea what I should do? Should I just try selling this machine on ebay and take what I can get? Acer won't fix the problem and the store won't take it back. I'm fed up, I've never had problems like this with a computer before.

Maybe I should buy Vista 64 bit and install that? I'm worried about the drivers though. Doesn't doing a fresh install of an OS purge the drivers? So it makes your computer useless right? I've never installed an OS from a disc. I always bought a computer with it pre loaded and only use the full system restore feature provided by the manufacturer such as acer, hp and IBM.

If the PC is faulty, why doesn't the store agree to return it?

They told me I have to have the original packaging and also that the return deadline is up. I asked them if I could still return it in the plain brown box acer sent the computer back in and they said no. It's J&R music and computer world btw. I bought it online and they're just telling me I'm screwed. I really can't go there to tell them off because I live in Colorado.

 

[Frostmourne]

Anybody have any idea what I should do? Should I just try selling this machine on ebay and take what I can get? Acer won't fix the problem and the store won't take it back. I'm fed up, I've never had problems like this with a computer before.

Maybe I should buy Vista 64 bit and install that? I'm worried about the drivers though. Doesn't doing a fresh install of an OS purge the drivers? So it makes your computer useless right? I've never installed an OS from a disc. I always bought a computer with it pre loaded and only use the full system restore feature provided by the manufacturer such as acer, hp and IBM.

If the PC is faulty, why doesn't the store agree to return it?

They told me I have to have the original packaging and also that the return deadline is up. I asked them if I could still return it in the plain brown box acer sent the computer back in and they said no. It's J&R music and computer world btw. I bought it online and they're just telling me I'm screwed. I really can't go there to tell them off because I live in Colorado.

*SIGH* I went through some possible solutions with you, I think, a few pages back. I'd sell the PC, and build a new one, and never touch Acer again.

 

[Aphelion]

Maybe I should buy Vista 64 bit and install that? I'm worried about the drivers though. Doesn't doing a fresh install of an OS purge the drivers? So it makes your computer useless right? I've never installed an OS from a disc. I always bought a computer with it pre loaded and only use the full system restore feature provided by the manufacturer such as acer, hp and IBM.

The Vista 64 install will contain most (if not all) of the drivers you require, after loading the OS you can go to Microsoft update and get the latest driver updates.

MS supplies decent default drivers for most hardware.

Ap

 

[Pash00n]

My 10+ year old soundblaster sounds better than this!

Here's a list of what I've tried so far to remedy this ridiculous popping problem I get before and after sounds play:

- Enabled Spread Spectrum in bios
- Down-clocked GPU to default speeds; uninstalled AMD fusion/OCing and ATI video drivers
- Tried newer drivers
- Tried older drivers
- Tried Vista only drivers
- Tried Microsoft Drivers (Which DO eliminate this problem, but Stereo Mix isn't available! Why not?!)
- Disabled unnecessary devices and cleared NVRam in attempt to change hardware IRQs
- Updated various other drivers
- Messed with tons of settings in the Realtek control panel

I'm in astonishment as to how much clearer my ancient Creative 16-bit PCI soundblaster sounds compared to this new-fangled Realtek sound chip with 5.1 surround sound. Seriously, what the heck? That and this old Soundblaster didn't work with my last computer nor did it work with others, but it's somehow working with my newest build. Maybe it's a sign? I should still invest in a newer soundcard regardless of that. I can't believe a 10+ year old 16-bit soundcard is outperforming a 24-bit one.

What do you guys think? :shock:

EDIT: I somehow fixed my problem FINALLY by using some archaic Vista drivers that I had to force feed to 7.

 

[Bootis]

Aarondude,

Read this entire thread carefully.

It is doubtfull that your PC (Acer) by itself is at fault. You will see that this problem affects people with many different brands of Manufacturers, equipment including Home Built Machines like mine.

I also have an Acer Desktop Aspire (Wife's Machine) running Vista Home Premium 64 Bit purchased this past August. That machine is using the same Realtek Audio (On-board) Device that my Home-Built Gigabyte M.B. Powered machine has and that Machine has Excellent Audio with no Snap, Crackle and Pop.

After further testing on my Machine I have determined that my audio output is also badly distorted in addition to the snapping, popping, crackling that we all seem to be experiencing.

I have tried all the suggested remedies listed here in this thread including Roll-Back Drivers and none have worked to correct or minimize/reduce this bad audio on my machine.

Next thing I am going to do is to install a whole new Audio/Video Codec Package and see if that might be causing this.

Again, It is my belief (at this time anyway) that something in/with Windows 7 and its configuration (possibly associated with something else) is causing this problem.

I will report back if/when I learn anything.

Bootis

Anybody have any idea what I should do? Should I just try selling this machine on ebay and take what I can get? Acer won't fix the problem and the store won't take it back. I'm fed up, I've never had problems like this with a computer before.

Maybe I should buy Vista 64 bit and install that? I'm worried about the drivers though. Doesn't doing a fresh install of an OS purge the drivers? So it makes your computer useless right? I've never installed an OS from a disc. I always bought a computer with it pre loaded and only use the full system restore feature provided by the manufacturer such as acer, hp and IBM.

 

[Bootis]

For what its worth

I also have an Acer Desktop Aspire (Wife's Machine) running Vista Home Premium 64 Bit purchased this past August.

That machine is using the same Realtek Audio (On-board) Device that my Home-Built Gigabyte M.B. Powered machine has and that Machine has Excellent Audio with no Snap, Crackle and Pop or distorted audio.

The Realtek Device is capable of putting out excllent audio. Also, again read this thread carefully and you will see that other Brands (not just Realtek) are also experiencing this problem.

RealTek by itslef is not the issue here.

Here's a list of what I've tried so far to remedy this ridiculous popping problem I get before and after sounds play:

- Enabled Spread Spectrum in bios
- Down-clocked GPU to default speeds; uninstalled AMD fusion/OCing and ATI video drivers
- Tried newer drivers
- Tried older drivers
- Tried Vista only drivers
- Tried Microsoft Drivers (Which DO eliminate this problem, but Stereo Mix isn't available! Why not?!)
- Disabled unnecessary devices and cleared NVRam in attempt to change hardware IRQs
- Updated various other drivers
- Messed with tons of settings in the Realtek control panel

I'm in astonishment as to how much clearer my ancient Creative 16-bit PCI soundblaster sounds compared to this new-fangled Realtek sound chip with 5.1 surround sound. Seriously, what the heck? That and this old Soundblaster didn't work with my last computer nor did it work with others, but it's somehow working with my newest build. Maybe it's a sign? I should still invest in a newer soundcard regardless of that. I can't believe a 10+ year old 16-bit soundcard is outperforming a 24-bit one.

What do you guys think? :shock:

EDIT: I somehow fixed my problem FINALLY by using some archaic Vista drivers that I had to force feed to 7.

 

[Bootis]

"Have you tried the processor scheduling tweak I posted?"

Yes, Thanks but no-joy!

AP,

Understand and hope your Fix remains.

Curious, are you listening though speakers or headphones?

In looking at your system specs the only thing you and I have in common system wise is Windows 7. I am running ultimate 64Bit. We also have Gigabyte MB's and an ATI Card but different models of each.

If there was any other obvious common demoninator other than Win 7 we should have seen it here already in some 26 pages of posts within this thread.

I have the Realtek output going into a 24 track mixing board, the output of the board goes to a set of powered studio monitors w/sub.

There are a couple of things I changed, mainly because I'm using this system to test different audio interfaces.

While I'm using the ATI drivers for the video card, I'm not using the ATI control panel.

Some have mentioned the Vista pull_down drivers.... they were actually the first ones that worked well on my system, I uninstalled them mainly because they didn't have the EQ section under enhancements, perhaps they changed a registry setting and it was left in place after the latest Realtek drivers were installed?

Have you tried the processor scheduling tweak I posted?

I pretty much agree it must be a Windows 7 problem, there's too many here with the same complaint, could even be the manner in which Win-7 handles interrupts on different motherboards. Using system information I see that both my M-Audio and the HD Audio Controller are on unique IRQs.

Ap

 

[Cixoos]

Well, i tested with latency checker and read spikes when on balanced power or cpu minimum processor less than 100%.

Have the same brands as any here, gigabyte board with realteh hd audio and network.

Tested several bios, but same issue when connected with hdmi to receiver for sound+video.

The crack\pop was on stereo files, music, video files. But not ac3\dts HD material. So figuring that the cpu speeds up is why no issue with HD material.

Then i connected with DVI cable and coax for 5.1 audio, latency red spikes did not go above 4000 and the sound was fine.

With HDMI the spikes were higher

 

[Bootis]

New Win 7 CODECS Installed

Today I installed a complete set of new CODECS for Windows 7, both x86 & x64 versions.

Unfortunately this did not correct the problem. I also checked many other Threads and Posts elsewhere on the Net for this topic and found many hits, complaints about this same issue dating back several months now.

I did not find one solid lead that offered any proven diagnosis or resolution for this problem.

This appears to be a WIN 7 Problem, but who, where, why, when and how remain a mystery to date.

Bootis

 

[AaronDude]

Aarondude,

Read this entire thread carefully.

It is doubtfull that your PC (Acer) by itself is at fault. You will see that this problem affects people with many different brands of Manufacturers, equipment including Home Built Machines like mine.

I also have an Acer Desktop Aspire (Wife's Machine) running Vista Home Premium 64 Bit purchased this past August. That machine is using the same Realtek Audio (On-board) Device that my Home-Built Gigabyte M.B. Powered machine has and that Machine has Excellent Audio with no Snap, Crackle and Pop.

After further testing on my Machine I have determined that my audio output is also badly distorted in addition to the snapping, popping, crackling that we all seem to be experiencing.

I have tried all the suggested remedies listed here in this thread including Roll-Back Drivers and none have worked to correct or minimize/reduce this bad audio on my machine.

Next thing I am going to do is to install a whole new Audio/Video Codec Package and see if that might be causing this.

Again, It is my belief (at this time anyway) that something in/with Windows 7 and its configuration (possibly associated with something else) is causing this problem.

I will report back if/when I learn anything.

Bootis

Anybody have any idea what I should do? Should I just try selling this machine on ebay and take what I can get? Acer won't fix the problem and the store won't take it back. I'm fed up, I've never had problems like this with a computer before.

Maybe I should buy Vista 64 bit and install that? I'm worried about the drivers though. Doesn't doing a fresh install of an OS purge the drivers? So it makes your computer useless right? I've never installed an OS from a disc. I always bought a computer with it pre loaded and only use the full system restore feature provided by the manufacturer such as acer, hp and IBM.

Hey, thanks for talking to me. I've read your post twice. Even if it is windows 7, computer manufactures should stand by their products and give you a working machine. I've talked to family members and they agree that even if it's a problem they didn't cause, they still sold the product and must have a fix for it. The least they could do is offer a replacement of something comparable that doesn't have the problem even if it's a windows vista machine or if they load vista on this machine.

If it is Micro****s problem they need to fix it or give us all refunds or downgrade us to a working OS. I had a Zune that had a constant spin up and spin down problem with the HD and they just denied a problem and never fixed it no matter how much I complained for several years. I'm not holding my breath they'll be able to figure this out either.

So I guess I should put even more money into this and buy Vista basic 64 bit? The external creative sound card idea didn't work. Computers sure are expensive machines to try to run.

 

[Frostmourne]

Today I installed a complete set of new CODECS for Windows 7, both x86 & x64 versions.

Unfortunately this did not correct the problem. I also checked many other Threads and Posts elsewhere on the Net for this topic and found many hits, complaints about this same issue dating back several months now.

I did not find one solid lead that offered any proven diagnosis or resolution for this problem.

This appears to be a WIN 7 Problem, but who, where, why, when and how remain a mystery to date.

Bootis

I have Realtek HD in my laptop, one home-built gaming PC with 7 x64 Ultimate, and one old factory PC (never again) which might be clean installed to 7. No issues. I would say this looks like an IRQ issue so disabling your network adapter may make sense.

 

[AaronDude]

Hmmm The computer also slows down to a crawl after a while. I have to keep restarting every hour and a half to fix that problem as well. I'm back to using my old gateway laptop, it seems to run a lot better even though it cost 1/3 the price. Guess I'll be shopping for a new computer. Maybe something in the 300 dollar range. RPG Maker games and DVDs don't really need that powerful of a computer. I just wanted something that could play them games at somewhat decent speeds. UGH, turns out I got a $700 pile of junk.

 

[Cixoos]

Disabled Cool'n'Quiet and it worked fine.But thats the same as putting power plan on performance, since it doesnt clock down.

So,- crack\pop when the cpu mimimum processor is less than 100%

 

[Frostmourne]

Hmmm The computer also slows down to a crawl after a while. I have to keep restarting every hour and a half to fix that problem as well. I'm back to using my old gateway laptop, it seems to run a lot better even though it cost 1/3 the price. Guess I'll be shopping for a new computer. Maybe something in the 300 dollar range. RPG Maker games and DVDs don't really need that powerful of a computer. I just wanted something that could play them games at somewhat decent speeds. UGH, turns out I got a $700 pile of junk.

Build a new one.

 

[muptup]

Wow glad to find this thread, I've made up a huge list of things to try now.

I get the snap crackle virtually all the time, occasionally for no apparent reason it'll calm down but it's usually back before long. Until now I was sure it was a ground loop problem and I've tried all sorts of combinations short of buying a new PSU trying to get a clean supply.

I should mention that I had this problem in Vista 32 bit but not XP. I'm now on 7x64.

 

[Bootis]

I share your pain. The choice is yours, but I believe that you are waisting your money on a new Power Supply.

I have been looking at reports of this problem all over the Net. It is wide-spread. I was on the Sound Blaster Creative Labs Forum the other day and people there were blaming Creative Labs for something that is not apparently their fault.

This problem is across all different brands of PC's, (including home built like mine)configurations and different sound cards. Many are reporting this problem.

In addition to the snap crackle and popping, my audio is also distorted and not clean especially in the lower end.

Wow glad to find this thread, I've made up a huge list of things to try now.

I get the snap crackle virtually all the time, occasionally for no apparent reason it'll calm down but it's usually back before long. Until now I was sure it was a ground loop problem and I've tried all sorts of combinations short of buying a new PSU trying to get a clean supply.

I should mention that I had this problem in Vista 32 bit but not XP. I'm now on 7x64.

 

[liquidsteel30]

Just registered to share my findings related to this topic. I'll just quote what I posted on another forum first-off:

I was having the exact same thing happening to me running Win7 x64. I had Ultimate installed (work license), and I started noticing it a lot. Decided it was time to reformat, maybe it would resolve the issue... no dice. Switched to Professional (school license) rather than Ultimate -- nothing. Tried every combination of NIC drivers I could (dual onboard gigabit).

Bought a new sound card (Asus Xonar DS), still did the same thing. Disabled all the networking stuff I could while retaining usability, nothing. Dropped my OC and went to stock speeds, no good. Tried every combination of BIOS power saving, still nothing.

Decided to buy a 3.5mm-->RCA to replace the toslink cable(s) I had been using, just to see if it was an issue with the digital audio in Win7... nope, analog still crackled.


Was linked to this thread: uninstalled MSE and switched my active library to a different drive than my active uTorrent (I keep nightly backups on separate drives, so no big deal)... IT WORKS!...

I think... the sound was crackling like mad right before I made the changes, and without rebooting, the crackling is gone.

In the thread I posted this, it was suggested that uTorrent was frequently reading from the same disk as my music was stashed on, causing stuttering. Another idea was that MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) was the root of all of the sound issues.

Since I posted that, I have switched my foobar library (music) back to the same drive as my uTorrent seeds and there has been no crackling. I do not have MSE installed anymore, though, and there is still no crackle.

I don't know if it has been suggested here yet, but for anyone else having trouble, try disabling/uninstalling your virus scanner and see if it resolves the issue. It worked for me, maybe it will work for you!

 

[joe531]

I'm getting my audio from the HDMI connection on my motherboard. It does the snap/crackle/pop/stutter thing. But this issue is only on that connection. My analog sound is perfect.

I've tried both ATi's and Realtek's HDMI audio drivers and they're both pretty poppy. I'm not sure if it's a driver problem or if it could be a problem with my mobo. This is so frustrating because no one else using this mobo seems to have any issue with audio (apparently). My mobo is a Gigabyte GA-MA785G-UD3H.

 

[locozozi]

For most of us the audio problem is due to DPC latency spikes caused by their Nvidia GPU throttling, and the only way to solve it right now is to disable powermizer.

Does this go for desktops as well? I have a nvidia geforce gt220 in this acer desktop.

As I've said in the past, PowerMizer Switch fixed my problem, and it's a desktop...

 

[muptup]

So far I've tried:
disabling and removing all pc components not required to turn on
checking and rechecking all power connections internal and external (as I said until reading this thread I was sure it was a grounding issue)
update to newest realtek drivers
update nvidia graphics drivers
disable all sound effects
enable immediate mode
change quality to 24bit 48KHz or bit/sample 16/24 44.1
change power settings to high performance from balanced
switch to input ports for output
reduce all levels to 50%
disable system speaker in device manager
set minimum Processor state to 100%
try the Realtek turnoff pullmode drivers

The following options don't seem to be available on my PC:
mute PC beep
change BIOS option for soundcard to enable from auto
enable spread spectrum bios

I have not yet found out how to:
turn off the contact connection for new jack inputs and outputs
disable powermizer

And I haven't gotten round to trying old old drivers (think I read 1.81, 2.21, and 2.22 were recommended).

Damn this is a difficult one to source.