Major audio issue

Computer Help and Discussions Hardware
1

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have been experiencing a major sound problem since a few months.

After a few minutes of gameplay in any computer game, I start getting scratchy and distorted noise. I don't get this problem when I listen to music or watch a video. It does not stop unless I reboot the computer.

My computer is:

AMD64 Clawhammer core 3500+ @ 2,2 ghz

1024mb Kingston (512x2) Dual-channel DDR400 PC3200

Gigabyte nVIDIA 6800GT 256mb GDDR3

120GB Western Digital 8mb cache.

All latest Nforce 4 drivers, Forceware drivers, Direct X 9.0c releases and miscellaneous drivers.

I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers to no availability.

Feel free to ask for any additional information.

I use the latest Nforce audio drivers that were included in the recent Nforce 4 6.86 release.

DxDiag:

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System Information

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Time of this report: 7/9/2006, 23:55:16

Machine name: MATHIEU-T

Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2 (2600.xpsp_sp2_gdr.050301-1519)

Language: English (Regional Setting: English)

System Manufacturer: System manufacturer

System Model: System name

BIOS: Phoenix - AwardBIOS v6.00PG

Processor: AMD Athlon 64 Processor 3500+, MMX, 3DNow, ~2.2GHz

Memory: 1024MB RAM

Page File: 508MB used, 2977MB available

Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS

DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)

DX Setup Parameters: Not found

DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.2180 32bit Unicode

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DxDiag Notes

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DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.

Display Tab 1: No problems found. DirectDraw test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 7 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 8 test results: All tests were successful. Direct3D 9 test results: All tests were successful.

Sound Tab 1: DirectSound test results: All tests were successful.

Music Tab: DirectMusic test results: All tests were successful.

Input Tab: No problems found.

Network Tab: No problems found. DirectPlay test results: All tests were successful.

2

I'm guessing you're using onboard audio since it doesn't appear like you use a sound card. Whats the make and model of your mobo? Are you using speakers or headphones? Have you tried switching around your speakers, etc. to make sure that's not the source of your problem? Also try unplugging and replugging the wires, jiggling them around a little bit whenever the problem pops up.

3

I have Altec Lansing VS2120 speakers and use headphones sometimes.

My mobo is a ASUS A8N-SLI.

4

That's a nice mobo so I don't think that there's a problem with onboard sound. I did some research and it looks like the speakers become kind of scratchy above 75% volume. Try setting the speaker volume lower, while raising Windows volume and the application's volume.

I'll keep looking, I haven't yet found something that relates exactly to your problem yet.

Also:

nForce4 Audio drivers (4.62)

http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_audio_4.62_win2kxp.html

nForce4 WHQL AMD mobos

http://www.nvidia.com/object/nforce_nf4_win2k_6.86.html

This one says 6.86? It came out two days ago...

Did the sound work before you installed the latest drivers?

5

Obviously not because of the speaker volume. It was set to like 32%.

Thanks for the help though. It is very appreciated. :)

6

Another thing to consider - have you installed any new electronic devices that could cause interference? A cordless phone, a wireless router, etc.

7

What I have in my room (near the computer):

- Guitar amp.

- Another guitar amp.

- Yet another guitar amp.

- Television.

- 30GB 5th Generation iPod. (mostly always connected to the computer)

- Modem.

- Wireless webcam. (Logitech Cordless Cam)

- Wireless mouse. (Logitech MX900 Bluetooth)

- Sony MDR-XD200 headphones. (Usually permanently plugged in)

- Wireless keyboard. (Logitech LX700)

- Wireless router. (U.S Robotics USR8054 802.11g)

- Cordless phone.

- VHS player.

- DVD player.

- Black box for satellite television that looks like a VHS. It's 3:00 AM and I'm not in the mood to check for the english word.

- Microphone.

- Joystick.

Also, my sound has been doing this for a few months. I've just been arsed to fix it.

I tried dozens of drivers.

Realtek release 3.88 (that's when Realtek drivers started going bad, the problem was rare with them)

nVIDIA Audio drivers 6.86 release drivers = problem

nVIDIA Audio drivers before 6.86 release drivers = problem

Oh and the problem usually only happens in games, I just listened during 2 hours to Judas Priest and all went smooth. :/

8

I had the cracking sound crap on my previous system. Sometimes unplugging the speakers from the powerstrip would do the trick however it turned out to be the powerstrip itself that I was using, and buying a new Belkin powerstrip specifically rated for computers did the trick for me. If you get a new powerstrip make sure you get one that's rated for your CPU, e.g.; 2.6 Ghz, 3.2 Ghz, etc., the supported CPU range is printed on the box if you get a Belkin.

I just listened during 2 hours to Judas Priest and all went smooth. :/

Sounds good, I think I'll put on some JP right now! :)