Seemingly random audio crackling/popping

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  1. Posts : 11
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #11

    I hope I didn't just screw myself over, but shortly after your recommendations I asked around and found something a bit cheaper:

    Newegg.com - Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Sound Cards

    I hope this wasn't a poor decision on my part, but it seems to have the same stats as one of the ones you recommended and broad internet searches seem to say it will work, but once again; It's something else that was recommended to me.
    I hope it doesn't seem like I'm being rude by not going by what you advised
    But you guys are great, I would've been lost. Even though it seems to have been a simple problem. I'll keep this thread set as unresolved until I install the sound card. To see if it works. But if you don't hear from me again know that you helped a very desperate person. You guys should get medals.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 834
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64
       #12

    Smurfferdid said:
    I hope I didn't just screw myself over, but shortly after your recommendations I asked around and found something a bit cheaper:

    Newegg.com - Creative Sound Blaster Audigy SE 7.1 Channels 24-bit 96KHz PCI Interface Sound Card - Sound Cards

    I hope this wasn't a poor decision on my part, but it seems to have the same stats as one of the ones you recommended and broad internet searches seem to say it will work, but once again; It's something else that was recommended to me.
    I hope it doesn't seem like I'm being rude by not going by what you advised
    But you guys are great, I would've been lost. Even though it seems to have been a simple problem. I'll keep this thread set as unresolved until I install the sound card. To see if it works. But if you don't hear from me again know that you helped a very desperate person. You guys should get medals.
    That will work also, I was just recommending the Asus products from my own personal experience at school. We use the pcie 1x cards in the computers at our multi-media class and they just work without any hassle.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 11
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #13

    Righto. Well, the soundcard is installed, all of the drivers are up to date. The onboard audio is disabled through the bios setup And I even have new headphones Newegg.com - RAZER Carcharias 3.5mm Connector Circumaural Professional Gaming Headset (an early birthday gift I wasn't aware of.) I disabled the onboard wireless controller. Also disabled the bluetooth functionality on my phone.

    And I'm STILL getting these audio cracks and pops. This is insane. What could be wrong?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 834
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64
       #14

    Smurfferdid said:
    Righto. Well, the soundcard is installed, all of the drivers are up to date. The onboard audio is disabled through the bios setup And I even have new headphones Newegg.com - RAZER Carcharias 3.5mm Connector Circumaural Professional Gaming Headset (an early birthday gift I wasn't aware of.) I disabled the onboard wireless controller. Also disabled the bluetooth functionality on my phone.

    And I'm STILL getting these audio cracks and pops. This is insane. What could be wrong?
    That is strange. Only other reason would probably an improper grounding of the PSU or static build up somewhere in the case. Your computer power supply has the 3 prong style shown here correct?
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 11
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #15

    Yes it has the three pronged plug.

    My friend just told me about how PSU's tend to function better when plugged into a wall outlet or a electrical strip devoted to computers. It's all currently plugged into a relatively old surge protector, it's never given me problems before, but could that be the problem?

    Also: I'm probably going to see what I can do about getting a new sound card. I'll just spring for the ASUS PCIe you recommened The one I nabbed and installed has a few issues I'd rather not deal with that didn't show up in a cursory search.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 834
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64
       #16

    Smurfferdid said:
    Yes it has the three pronged plug.

    My friend just told me about how PSU's tend to function better when plugged into a wall outlet or a electrical strip devoted to computers. It's all currently plugged into a relatively old surge protector, it's never given me problems before, but could that be the problem?

    Also: I'm probably going to see what I can do about getting a new sound card. I'll just spring for the ASUS PCIe you recommened The one I nabbed and installed has a few issues I'd rather not deal with that didn't show up in a cursory search.
    That teds to be true most times, especially when the voltage on the electric lines tend to dip by up to 2-5 %. As for the crackling I wold defiantly make sure that your case and motherboard are properly grounded.

    You should have better luck with the Asus sound card hopefully.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 11
    Windows 7 x64
    Thread Starter
       #17

    As far as I can tell I've done all I can in grounding my computer, aside from getting a new surge protector (is there anything specific I should be looking for in that?) The whole thing is sitting on top of my desk, which is wooden. And the cable for the PSU, along with my monitor cable and the charger for my phone, runs down to a surge protector under the desk, which is sitting on the floor (carpeted) and then that is plugged into the wall.

    I'll be seeing if I can get a new surge protector tomorrow, and ordering the sound card (which isn't much more expensive than the one I got, boy was I dumb in going for that.) Thanks for the hopeful wishes.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 834
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64
       #18

    Smurfferdid said:
    As far as I can tell I've done all I can in grounding my computer, aside from getting a new surge protector (is there anything specific I should be looking for in that?) The whole thing is sitting on top of my desk, which is wooden. And the cable for the PSU, along with my monitor cable and the charger for my phone, runs down to a surge protector under the desk, which is sitting on the floor (carpeted) and then that is plugged into the wall.

    I'll be seeing if I can get a new surge protector tomorrow, and ordering the sound card (which isn't much more expensive than the one I got, boy was I dumb in going for that.) Thanks for the hopeful wishes.
    There is nothing really that can be done than that.
    Hopefully the Asus sound card works out.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 104
    XP
       #19

    Smurfferdid said:
    I'll be seeing if I can get a new surge protector tomorrow,
    Where is a spec number for that new surge protector that claims any protection from noise? Good luck. Anything passive designed to stop, absorb, or filter those noise frequencies must be on the order of tens of pounds. No plug-in protector claims to solve noise problems.


    The noise problem has been made even more difficult due to the process you are using to solve it. You did not define the reason for noise. You are just shotgunning for solutions without even first learning what the problem is.

    Most noise problems are best solved at the source.

    Grounding (as you have discussed it) does not solve noise problems.

    An example. One type of noise is a ground loop. This is a discussion about electricity. Therefore all noise involved a loop; a circuit. A ground loop is a current that goes through three system components - A, B, & C. C has a defect. So eliminating or changing A causes the noise to diminish. Therefore the naive conclusion is to eliminate or fix A. Wrong. The problem is in C. But the problem is masked when A is removed from that ABCA loop.

    Fixing noise involves first finding the defect. You have not done that. You have even worried about a wall receptacle safety ground (that might be the A in that above paragraph).

    This much is obvious even from those manufacturer spec sheets. A surge protector for solving noise is only wishful thinking combined with a reduction of net wealth.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 834
    Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 x64
       #20

    westom said:
    Smurfferdid said:
    I'll be seeing if I can get a new surge protector tomorrow,
    Where is a spec number for that new surge protector that claims any protection from noise? Good luck. Anything passive designed to stop, absorb, or filter those noise frequencies must be on the order of tens of pounds. No plug-in protector claims to solve noise problems.


    The noise problem has been made even more difficult due to the process you are using to solve it. You did not define the reason for noise. You are just shotgunning for solutions without even first learning what the problem is.

    Most noise problems are best solved at the source.

    Grounding (as you have discussed it) does not solve noise problems.

    An example. One type of noise is a ground loop. This is a discussion about electricity. Therefore all noise involved a loop; a circuit. A ground loop is a current that goes through three system components - A, B, & C. C has a defect. So eliminating or changing A causes the noise to diminish. Therefore the naive conclusion is to eliminate or fix A. Wrong. The problem is in C. But the problem is masked when A is removed from that ABCA loop.

    Fixing noise involves first finding the defect. You have not done that. You have even worried about a wall receptacle safety ground (that might be the A in that above paragraph).

    This much is obvious even from those manufacturer spec sheets. A surge protector for solving noise is only wishful thinking combined with a reduction of net wealth.
    That is not entirely true! For example in older homes, which are updated with the 3 prong plug. Older homes may not have the 3 wire configuration of Hot, Neutral, and Ground. At best they may have only Hot, and Neutral. As a result some electricians use the neutral wire as the grounding wire also.

    Noise over the electrical lines can ultimately come from any source. A good example of such are: Air Conditioners, Refrigerators, Old CRT television screens/ monitors. Many of these appliances have a large amount of current use, but A/Cs and Refrigerators both use compressors which, about 95% of the time means they use capacitors. Capacitors, in general produce a lot of "electrical noise", this is known as Johnson–Nyquist noise.
    Johnson

    Going back to to 3 prong plug using the ground as neutral, any electrical appliance that isn't properly grounded would output noise on the "fake ground" causing your PC's Power Supply to pick it up. A PSU is basically a AC to DC converter. It will take that noise and also output it to the DC side.

    Electrical noise isn't really considered dangerous to electrical equipment, but a surge protector may help reduce the problem. Many have ferrite core chokes and flat ceramic capacitors, when used properly would stop or at least decrease the amount of noise on the line.
      My Computer


 
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