Prolonged crackling sound when audio is playing (occasionally)

[ryan d ale]

Hi.

I have Win7, an AMD 965 and a Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium.

The speakers are the Logitech Z2300 set.

Occasionally the speakers will start to crackle when audio is playing (it happens suddenly) and it really gets in the way of what I'm doing. I tried using my headset directly into the sound card and it is still crackling.

The problem isn't permenant but it really angers me.

Do you think there's an issue with the soundcard or should I just try and make sure it's firmly connected - the socket and card connection is so weak (I've opened it up before to try and fix issues)

[Darkpowder]

I would certainly be wary of the old problem with PCI? cards and the act of screwing them down firmly into the case, actually pulling the card partially out of its socket. Ensure the card is well mounted, or try it in another PCI slot. Usually though a badly mounted card, will give you lockups and system hangs. Equally, you could have an overheated component, so ensure you are getting a lot of air on them.

I'm assuming all the while you have default options set while testing this problem, latest drivers, the correct ones for your OS - 32/64 bit etc.

Check all the connecting points for dust, try a new set of speakers or headphones too for a test.

RPG guru eh? Well we'll have to compare notes. I do remember creating the largest junkpile I have seen of anything metal on the enemy side during RFAD's victory on EJOD Desert Campaign 3 back in the day

[ryan d ale]

I would certainly be wary of the old problem with PCI? cards and the act of screwing them down firmly into the case, actually pulling the card partially out of its socket. Ensure the card is well mounted, or try it in another PCI slot. Usually though a badly mounted card, will give you lockups and system hangs. Equally, you could have an overheated component, so ensure you are getting a lot of air on them.

I'm assuming all the while you have default options set while testing this problem, latest drivers, the correct ones for your OS - 32/64 bit etc.

Check all the connecting points for dust, try a new set of speakers or headphones too for a test.

RPG guru eh? Well we'll have to compare notes. I do remember creating the largest junkpile I have seen of anything metal on the enemy side during RFAD's victory on EJOD Desert Campaign 3 back in the day

Thanks for the reply.

You might have a point there about puttign it in too hard.

It's in the only slot available though. Too much stuff in my comp.

I don't get any lockups though.

I'm pretty sure all defaults are in check and I know the driver supports 64bit and that they are the latest. Interesting about trying newspeakers though. I'll do that next time it happens.

I don't think anything is over heating. Case has good ventillation (in my opinion) and an aftermarket CPU cooler but I guess another case fan couldn't hurt.

Okay, so I haven't created a massive pile of wrecked vehicles but I do have my shining moments and wonderful ideas.

Anti Tank boat on Muttrah lol

[Hitperson]

how long have you had it??

also how much often do you pull plugs out??

[ryan d ale]

It's a new system (less than 4months).

I've only unplugged the speakers once. Never unplugged the system though.

[Hitperson]

hmm.

and you say it is crackling...

is there any tension on the jacks at all and are they pulled off to one side??

[ryan d ale]

hmm.

and you say it is crackling...

is there any tension on the jacks at all and are they pulled off to one side??

Well, it crackles whenever it feels like it really. Maybe once a week.

The I/O panel was bent when I first recieved my system and considering it was a custom computer and cheaper than anywehre else by a long shot I'm not too surprised there's some kind of defect.

Seems odd but I do genuinely think the I/O panel could have possibly done something with the jacks maybe? Then again, crackling happens through front jack also so probably not.

[SocketMan]

Open up the volume controls playback/recording and mute inputs you don't need.
Set the frequency to 48khz for input/output in the audio panel.

[ryan d ale]

Open up the volume controls playback/recording and mute inputs you don't need.
Set the frequency to 48khz for input/output in the audio panel.

Interesting suggestion and I've done it.

Let me tell you something about why that is interesting. The sound also used to mute itself randomly and probably was about to again because of the intervals it has lol

I've disabled all the playback/record things that are not used and tested my devices and they still work fine

Also, sound was set at 48Khz too. However, there is a higher quality available... maybe I will like that because I'm an audio freak or do you think that might cause issues?

Cheers Socket Man I'm quite confident that you've averted at least one problem for me

[SocketMan]

Also, sound was set at 48Khz too. However, there is a higher quality available... maybe I will like that because I'm an audio freak or do you think that might cause issues?

Do you use an A/V receiver with your PC ?
Some have the DTS 96/24 decoding - which would allow these higher (96khz) sampling rates at 24bit.

[ryan d ale]

I don't have an AV receiver with my computer

[DesmoLocke]

I wonder if it's due to some poor drivers from Creative? A quick Google search brought up a whole lot of complaints regarding their drivers. I would look into it.

[ryan d ale]

I wonder if it's due to some poor drivers from Creative? A quick Google search brought up a whole lot of complaints regarding their drivers. I would look into it.

I've had hell with the drivers already lol

It is my belief that the complaints would be outdated (unless, which it still likely is) just a problem from W7. I'll look into it if the crackling happens again. It's been good so far since I changed the config

[PuffNStuff]

Mute ur mic (port) that ur not using. Try it, it may just work.... Worked for me and I had this exact same problem.

[Chilidrew]

Had the same problem then one day i heard a loud pop and didnt hear anything. Buy a new sound card thats ur solution.

[Booyak]

Had the same today I heard that sound while watching a youtube video and my computer completly freezed so I needed to restart it manually. I dont have a sound card only on board sound I guess it is VIA HD Audio Deck.

[ryan d ale]

Still no issues.

I did the muting already

Muting might have been the solution.