Realtek, Windows 7 64RTM Crackle/static/popping

[mark1992]

It Doesnt work for me, I uninstalled my Realtek drivers, and selected my max memory to 2000 (2GB RAM)
And installed again the newest Realtek drivers, and restarted my PC, But still got the crackling sounds,

Did I did something wrong? Or its just not working ,

- Mark

 

[Aphelion]

It Doesnt work for me, I uninstalled my Realtek drivers, and selected my max memory to 2000 (2GB RAM)
And installed again the newest Realtek drivers, and restarted my PC, But still got the crackling sounds,

Did I did something wrong? Or its just not working ,

- Mark

I have a feeling the mem fix is limited to only a few instances, in any case you would probably want to use 2048.

Have you run the DPC latency checker? How bad is it?

The usual suspects are the video drivers and the network/wireless adapter drivers.

Also, any program that's running in the background constantly hitting the CPU, some security related software can be heavy handed.

Ap

 

[Bootis]

Finally Fixed!

Earlier I had erroneously reported that my Snap, Crackle and Pop had been fixed by installing a new Realtek Network (NIC) Driver.

This Fix was only temporary as the next morning when I turned on my PC I immediately launched the Latency Checker APP and Red Spikes 'through the roof' were immediate. Checked the 2 Channel Audio (CD) and Snap, Crackle, Pop was back.

I then went through the List in Device Manager and then looked at any start up items being called on Boot-up. I found the application Easy-Tune. I shut this application down in config.sys so it would not load on start and my Latency Spikes disappeared.

Easy-Tune is an Over-Clocking Utility supplied by my Motherboard Manufacturer Gigabyte. This program and how it was configured was the Culprit.

My Audio problem, Snap, Crackle, Pop is gone and has not reappeared. Hopefully it will remain that way.

This one was a difficult problem to assess and repair.

It Doesn't work for me, I uninstalled my Realtek drivers, and selected my max memory to 2000 (2GB RAM)
And installed again the newest Realtek drivers, and restarted my PC, But still got the crackling sounds,

Did I did something wrong? Or its just not working ,

- Mark

I have a feeling the mem fix is limited to only a few instances, in any case you would probably want to use 2048.

Have you run the DPC latency checker? How bad is it?

The usual suspects are the video drivers and the network/wireless adapter drivers.

Also, any program that's running in the background constantly hitting the CPU, some security related software can be heavy handed.

Ap

 

[mark1992]

Could somebody explain in steps, how to fix the crackling sound.
I need your help guys,

- Mark

 

[Frostmourne]

Could somebody explain in steps, how to fix the crackling sound.
I need your help guys,

- Mark

Fill in your system specs with the help of the preparation section in the troubleshooting guide in my signature.

 

[mark1992]

I dont know all my system specs, I just need to fix it.

- Mark

 

[BradBoston]

Just wanted to hop on and say that uninstalling Gigabyte's EasyTune 6 B09.0216.1 fixed the snap/crackle/pop %100 for me. Thanks all!

*Edit: Just for kicks I reinstalled a later version of EasyTune (6 B10.0130.1) and the crackling came back immediately. Then uninstalled and again went away. So, for me, EasyTune was definitely was the culprit.

 

[Bootis]

Snap Crackle Pop

Brad,

Did you try the Latency Checker Application when resolving the problem?

This little utility was a great help for me.

Glad you fixed it.

In my view, this is still a problem with WIN 7 and how it possibly interacts with selected Hardware and Memory Usage.

Although we got relief from our offending application (East-Tune) many many others have not and they are using different configurations alltogether etc. The only common link for all of us has been that Windows 7 is the OS used.

Bootis

Just wanted to hop on and say that uninstalling Gigabyte's EasyTune 6 B09.0216.1 fixed the snap/crackle/pop %100 for me. Thanks all!

*Edit: Just for kicks I reinstalled a later version of EasyTune (6 B10.0130.1) and the crackling came back immediately. Then uninstalled and again went away. So, for me, EasyTune was definitely was the culprit.

 

[Hank3]

Hi - signed for this forum to hopefully find some resolve for my crackling/popping issues.

I posted my problem on the Microsoft forums, too. Link is below if you want to see the background of my problems, but it's exactly as you all have described.

Music flickers/crackles in Windows Media Player when browsing the Internet

I get the crackling/popping sound when I'm listening to my WMAs or MP3s in WMP and browsing the Internet. I have an HP S5212Y 2.5GHz Intel Pentium E5200 CPU and GMA 3100 graphics, 3GB DDR2 800MHz RAM, 320GB of HD, and Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. It has a Realtek sound card and the latest driver I installed is dated 2/10/2010. Any help would be greatly apprciated as I've been trying for a few weeks to fix this.

 

[mark1992]

Hey Hank3,

I have excactly the same problem, Is there nobody who can help us?

- Mark

 

[DarrylGittins]

The only common link for all of us has been that Windows 7 is the OS used.

It certainly seems that way (specific to Windows 7). I've been on the Mp3 bandwagon since the late 90's with dozens of computers and every Microsoft operating system under the sun and I've never run into such a major audio issue as this.

I tested using the DPC Latency checker and I do see huge spikes after a few hours use that coincide with the audio problems. If I disable the network adapter (NIC), latency immediately drops to green levels and sound is good. However, if I then re-enable the network adapter, DPC latency immediately spikes perpetually into the red and I hear the crackles and stutters. I've tried 5 different NICS and clearly some are worse than others, but they all eventually show DPC latency spikes and therefore affect the audio.

The net result is I can't listen to music, unless I reboot first, and then after a few hours the latency spikes return and the audio starts going awry.

I'm using the latest drivers. What else could the commonality be that causes this other than the operating system? I've never had this problem in any other OS. Is it a problem in Windows 7? Or should I be looking at my Motherboard?

I've installed all the latest drivers. tried using 3 different external sound cards including USB AND PCI based units, installed Codec packs, disabled speaker effects (enhancements), reset the BIOS to the factory default settings, flashed the BIOS, turned off Aero to use a basic theme, uninstalled and disabled any energy saving software, disabled unnecessary devices in the BIOS, tried countless registry tweaks, and so on. This problem is bullet-proof, it seems.

 

[sajuukkhar]

the only way ive found that works is what was suggested many pages back and getting those super old drivers i find it kinda sad that neither Microsoft or realtek has had the time to fix what is obviously a very serious issue that many people are having.

 

[Bootis]

At first (read my earlier post) I thought I had fixed this issue by uninstalling the RealTek NIC. Worked until I rebooted then it the noise came back as before.

I then started to look at Program Applications as a possible cause and sure enough it was a program application

Are you over-clocking?

My Fix was to disable an Application, i.e. "Easy Tune" as supplied by my MB Manufacturer Gigabyte.

Try launching Windows Task Manager (Control Alt Delete) to see what Applications/Processes etc. are currently running and ID those that might be using lots of your Memory Resources.

Use the Latency Checker to verify Red Spiking associated with any of those listed.

If you read the Entire thread here several of us got relief using this process. Its a pain in the butt to do but you will need to slowly and methodically ID each to see which is the offending culprit.

Good Luck!

The only common link for all of us has been that Windows 7 is the OS used.

It certainly seems that way (specific to Windows 7). I've been on the Mp3 bandwagon since the late 90's with dozens of computers and every Microsoft operating system under the sun and I've never run into such a major audio issue as this.

I tested using the DPC Latency checker and I do see huge spikes after a few hours use that coincide with the audio problems. If I disable the network adapter (NIC), latency immediately drops to green levels and sound is good. However, if I then re-enable the network adapter, DPC latency immediately spikes perpetually into the red and I hear the crackles and stutters. I've tried 5 different NICS and clearly some are worse than others, but they all eventually show DPC latency spikes and therefore affect the audio.

The net result is I can't listen to music, unless I reboot first, and then after a few hours the latency spikes return and the audio starts going awry.

I'm using the latest drivers. What else could the commonality be that causes this other than the operating system? I've never had this problem in any other OS. Is it a problem in Windows 7? Or should I be looking at my Motherboard?

I've installed all the latest drivers. tried using 3 different external sound cards including USB AND PCI based units, installed Codec packs, disabled speaker effects (enhancements), reset the BIOS to the factory default settings, flashed the BIOS, turned off Aero to use a basic theme, uninstalled and disabled any energy saving software, disabled unnecessary devices in the BIOS, tried countless registry tweaks, and so on. This problem is bullet-proof, it seems.

 

[SethG911]

The problem and solution.

The problem is caused by bad drivers from realtek; interestingly not the audio driver though. It is caused by the Ethernet NIC drivers. Please run Windows 7 update and acquire the new "Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller" drivers. If this does not solve your problems make sure the "High Definition Audio Controller" and "Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller" are not on the same IRQ number. The problem is caused by the Ethernet NIC using too many resources from the IRQ and when this is the same number as the audio card sound gets choppy. You may also want to try to uninstall the "Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller" driver and re-install them. Switching IRQ's is a pain in the butt in Windows 7 and I have not found a fool-proof way of doing it. I was lucky to have two Ethernet NIC's on my motherboard and one happened to have a different IRQ.

 

[DarrylGittins]

I've got the same problem. The problem is not specific to the drivers or sound card - /I've installed all the latest drivers for all devices in the system and tried using 3 different sound cards including USB AND PCI based units, and hear the same problem.

The problem is related to huge DPC Latency spikes ( Search Google for the DPC Latency checker) that occur after a few hours use, that coincide with the audio problems. If I disable the network adapter (NIC), latency immediately drops to green levels and sound is good. However, if I then re-enable the network adapter, DPC latency immediately spikes perpetually into the red and I hear the crackles and stutters. I've tried 5 different NICS and clearly some are worse than others, but they all eventually show DPC latency spikes and therefore affect the audio.

The net result is I can't listen to music, unless I reboot first, and then after a few hours the latency spikes return and the audio starts going awry.


I installed Codec packs, disabled speaker effects (enhancements), reset the BIOS to the factory default settings, flashed the BIOS, turned off Aero to use a basic theme, uninstalled and disabled any energy saving software, disabled unnecessary devices in the BIOS, tried countless registry tweaks, and so on. This problem is bullet-proof, it seems.

What else could the commonality be that causes this other than the operating system? I've never had this problem in any other OS. Is it a problem in Windows 7? It seems that way. I've been on the Mp3 bandwagon since the late 90's with dozens of computers and every Microsoft operating system under the sun and I've never run into such a major audio issue as this.


System specs:
Windows 7 Enterprise x64
Intel Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
Memory Configuration 8 GB DIMM DDR Synchronous
NVIDIA GeForce GT 220 and GeForce 6200

American Megatrends BIOS Date: 03/12/09 10:04:29 Ver: 08.00.14 A_M_I_ - 3000912 20090312
DVD-RAM Model HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH22NS50
(Realtek) High Definition Audio
nVIDIA GT216 - High Definition Audio Controller
P5QL PRO ASUSTeK Intel Socket 775

Some related links to show that this is a huge problem affecting a lot of people:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7itproperf/thread/82660ff4-f3ac-4051-b02a-ec03f26deab8
http://thegreenbutton.com/forums/p/73182/417377.aspx#417377
The Status of Technical Inquiry Mail "Haqve you tried swapping CPU or RAM?"
ASUSTeK Computer Inc.-Forum- choppy sound in Windows 7 x64 RTM
http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-cards/19858-choppy-windows-windows-7-a-5.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/sound-audio/22369-realtek-windows-7-64rtm-crackle-static-popping-23.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/sound-audio/3756-latest-realtek-hd-audio-driver-version-54.html

 

[muptup]

the only way ive found that works is what was suggested many pages back and getting those super old drivers i find it kinda sad that neither Microsoft or realtek has had the time to fix what is obviously a very serious issue that many people are having.

What was the driver you found worked? I'm about to try 1.81 but would prefer to try a newer one than that if it still worked.

 

[muptup]

1.81 didn't work. In fact I was still getting noise while the device was disabled in bios.

All my NIC ports are disabled as well as best I can see.

 

[Bootis]

Snap Crackle Pop

"The problem is caused by bad drivers from realtek"

Sorry Seth with all do respect your assesment is wrong.

Please read this ENTIRE Thread and All Related Posts and the many complaints of those elsewhere on the NET as it relates to this problem.

MANY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Example: If you go to the Forums at Creative Labs (SounddBalster Audio cards) you will see the many Posts over there all blaming Creative Labs.

If you do or had done so already, you will find this is not just limted to RealTek.

Please read all of the posts (ALL of Them) here and elsewhere.

Thanks!

The problem is caused by bad drivers from realtek; interestingly not the audio driver though. It is caused by the Ethernet NIC drivers. Please run Windows 7 update and acquire the new "Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller" drivers. If this does not solve your problems make sure the "High Definition Audio Controller" and "Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller" are not on the same IRQ number. The problem is caused by the Ethernet NIC using too many resources from the IRQ and when this is the same number as the audio card sound gets choppy. You may also want to try to uninstall the "Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller" driver and re-install them. Switching IRQ's is a pain in the butt in Windows 7 and I have not found a fool-proof way of doing it. I was lucky to have two Ethernet NIC's on my motherboard and one happened to have a different IRQ.

 

[SethG911]

A bit of clarification.

In my previous post I blamed Realtek as the cause, when I should have said Windows 7 was the cause... and that the new drivers/switching of IRQs is the solution (for me at least). I believe the problem is caused by Windows 7's assignment and handling of IRQ's causing high DPC Latency, specifically in my case this IRQ conflict was happening with Realtek's NIC. While I agree with Bootis that this is a Windows 7 problem and not a Realtek specific issue, it so happens that switching to a NIC with the different IRQ than my audio card solved it for me; since the majority of on-board NICs are Realtek, I thought my advice about updating or reinstalling the NIC drivers might help some people out. I think the REAL cause is Microsoft not communicating with hardware developers properly. Sorry if I mislead anyone into thinking this was Realtek's fault, or an all-in-one solution.

In response to Bootis: As I stated in my previous post it is not a sound card issue and I never blamed Realtek's Audio drivers, nor do I even use a Realtek sound card, which is why I don't understand you bringing up Creative. I think if you look back at my history in this thread since December, you'll see I have tried just about everything to fix this problem from complete formats to hardware swaps... also including researching this entire thread and many others. Sorry if my misplaced blame toward Realtek in my previous post made me seem ill-informed.

My intent was not to misinform people, it was simply to share my findings on what I believe to be a Windows 7 IRQ issue. Again, if anyone knows how to switch IRQs manually in Windows 7 (settings in my bios do not affect it) I would really appreciate the advice. It would help if this problem occurs again with future hardware.

 

[DarrylGittins]

You might want to read this thread. I don't think this is a driver problem.
Music flickers/crackles in Windows Media Player when browsing the Internet
I'd like to try mucking with IRQ settings but can't see a way to do this in Windows 7 - the check box is greyed out to alter settings.