Audio Popping/Crackling

Elwoodch · 05 Jul 2010

I am not quite sure if I have exactly same issue, here it is:

At first W7 installation also with a GA MB, no issue at all.
Later I had to reinstall from scratch, I have now noise when using the headset at front connector, not when using the backboard speakers.
I think I updated my bios in between, but not quite sure.

I also wonder why I get noise when using the headset (front panel connector) and not with normal speakers. It is not the headset because I have a couple of them and both have noise on this computer, not on another.

So1dier · 05 Jul 2010

electrotune1200 said:

Hello So1dier,

Can you download and run this tool?
DPC Latency Checker

There is some good information on the page.

There are quite a few different drivers that could be causing sound latency. Sometimes it's the ethernet controller drivers. Here's a link to a thread from a while back. The OP was having similar issues to yours.
Cracking / Popping Sound

Ya it says my latency is only about 100-200 in the green.

smarteyeball · 05 Jul 2010

Have you tried adjusting your bitrate to see if makes any difference?

r-click volume icon > playback devices

Although if the PSU is flaky, or another piece of hardware (you seem to have a few issues) it may be interference.

In the interim, have you downloaded the most recent drivers for your mobos sound - from the manufacturers site, and not the ones on the disc (which are usually out of date)?

Elwoodch · 05 Jul 2010

I just discovered that the noise is linked to the applications. For instance, looking at smarteyeball advice, if I select the playback screen, I have noise. If I select the recording screen, no noise. If my mouse navigates on active fields, I have small noise.

Interesting isn't it? Where does it come from?

smarteyeball · 06 Jul 2010

Good question. A more adequate/detailed explanation should come from somebody with a more in-depth understanding of how electronics work.

But it sounds like some sort of electrical interference. As for the cause..

If you mute all your volume levels, can you still hear the noises?

Try disabling / muting all recording devices.

electrotune1200 · 06 Jul 2010

In my experience with Windows audio, there have been major problems since Windows Vista.

When I heard about Windows 7, I thought to myself.. Finally, Microsoft is going to have this audio thing fixed once and for all. To my dismay... It's still a tangled mess.

Some problems I were able to fix myself, and some I just gave up on. I bought an external soundcard and everything works now. It just shouldn't have to be that way.

If Microsoft really wants to keep what's left of the "audiophile" market, they need to get this sorted. I love Windows, it's all I really know. But if my profession dealt with the audio engineering side of things, I would seriously think of jumping ship.

There's not much that I found that needs addressed in SP1 for Windows 7, but please Microsoft... Get to the bottom of this onboard audio mess.

Aphelion · 06 Jul 2010

electrotune1200 said:

In my experience with Windows audio, there have been major problems since Windows Vista.

There's not much that I found that needs addressed in SP1 for Windows 7, but please Microsoft... Get to the bottom of this onboard audio mess.

XP was the end of times for direct access of hardware, the main problem is layers of OS inserted in between the drivers and hardware. The thing that's most aggravating is that Vista was actually better than Windows-7 at handling audio ~efficiently~. MS if you're going to add a bunch of OS added features they have to work in real time and enhance the audio system, not bring it to it's knees.

Yes, I have my system working very well now but it took a long time to get here and I've disabled a number of Win-7's features to get there. Most (as in 99.9%) of Windows users will either not know how or will not want to cripple Windows to get decent, reliable audio.

In my opinion... onboard audio is really not audiophile quality... but I know what you mean. Generally, 3rd party solutions work well but users shouldn't have to go that route to have a working audio system.

Worse... I bet they don't know how to fix it. The current audio system is geeked out, it's convoluted, laden with features that probably do more in making it unworkable than clean and consistent.

Ap

Elwoodch · 06 Jul 2010

must be driver/Win7 related.

No noise in Bios, no noise at initial phase of booting.
Noise starts with win7 booton logo.

Mute everything doesn't change the noise issue.

smarteyeball · 06 Jul 2010

Starts with the Logo... hmm.

Try safe mode to see if there is any noise present. (no audio drivers involved at all)

If there is zero noise, then it's tentatively safe to say it is a driver issue.

However if there is still noise, even in safe mode, it's not driver related.

Elwoodch · 07 Jul 2010

ok will try tonight when back home.

Have a nice day (humm good night in AUstralia....)