Question

Sound Issues

Asked by: ElijahBailey

New computer system, Asus P5WD2 Premium mobo with Pentium 4 800FSB 3.0Ghz CPU, 1GB of RAM, 200GB Seagate SATA drive, ATI X800GT 16X PCI-E 256Mb 256bit DDR3 VO DVI 475Mhz Core (Saphire) graphics card, Creative Audigy 4 PCI Sound Blaster

Some web pages and other programs that have active graphic content seem to interfere with the sound card. Distortion is the word that comes to mind first but it's not exactly distortion. It's like the sound card is switched on and off really fast during graphic activity, although games work well as does Windows Media Player and other sound-oriented programs that have graphic content.

If I play something on Windows Media Player and open up yahoo.com (for one) then I get the interference.

I downloaded and installed the latest drivers for the sound card and the graphics card to no avail.

Running any audio-based program while music is running and opening any other causes distortion even if the second program is not actually playing music. My own computer can run two or more programs simulataneously with clear sound from each although mixed. This new system distorts if you simply open another program. Silly to suggest not running two at once but you just might like the background music from WMP while checking your email right? Would really like to find the cause of the problem.

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Asked On
2006-04-04 at 20:14:30ID21801982
Tags

distorts

,

sound

,

windows

Topic

Windows XP Operating System

Participating Experts
4
Points
250
Comments
11

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Answers

 

by: AntunbPosted on 2006-04-04 at 20:18:39ID: 16377878

its not distortion,

If you play music say in windows media player

Open a file/program it sounds like it stops, starts, stops, starts until the program is fully open then it works ok.

This is caused by either, RAM, CPU, HDD. more than likely i would say the HDD< so when there is alot of HDD activity it happens, like copying a file. No way that i know of to fix this

 

by: ElijahBaileyPosted on 2006-04-04 at 20:29:43ID: 16377920

Antunb, thanks for your response but I think it has nothing to do with the problem.

It is not while the program is opening and I know it is not distortion but I dont have a better word to describe the effect.

Also, it does not come good when the other program is fully open. It just stays that way until you close the other program.

It SOUNDS like the audio is switching between the two programs very quickly, say at the rate of multitasking.

 

by: AntunbPosted on 2006-04-04 at 21:03:03ID: 16377998

look at the task manager

right click the task bar and select task manager,

look at the CPU usage for the wmplayer and the program
also look at performance tab and see the cpu/memory

let me know how u go

 

by: saurabh_duaPosted on 2006-04-04 at 21:24:20ID: 16378073

Is this prob from the very first day of ur working on the PC ?   When did it occured 1stly ., after installing something?

Try to pinpoint the cause by these steps:

1. Uninstall graphics card drivers, and let OS detect it as a SVGA generic card..
2. Now run music and open web pages..

3. If prob is gone, the graphics card drivers r the prob..

Else

1. Uninsstall all Music players and extra codecs from ur PC, other than standard Windows Media player..,
2. Now run music and open web pages.., with and without the graphics driversa..

See if it improves in any case..


 

by: nobusPosted on 2006-04-05 at 00:12:27ID: 16378727

check if your disk is in DMA mode, not PIO :
in device manager>ide/atapi controllers>primary channel>properties>advanced setting
here is how to set it  :
Load RegEdit (Start - Run - Regedit)

Go to the following keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\ Class\{4D36E96A-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}\000x

The last four digits will be 0000, 0001, 0002, 0003, and so on.

Under each key, delete all occurences of the following values:

     MasterIdDataChecksum
     SlaveIdDataChecksum
If you  went into those registry addresses and you do not have an entry for ResetErrorCountersOnSuccess.
Then , at each of the keys (0001, 0002, 0003, etc.) you should add a DWORD value named "ResetErrorCountersOnSuccess" with a value of 1

 

by: MeretePosted on 2006-04-05 at 02:04:58ID: 16379217

ElijahBailey New computer system please consider using your warranty options, ( a dis-satisfied cutomer) ;)
 windows also  has a sound diagnostic tester go to your start> run> type in dxdiag and press enter.
Run the audio /sounds tester
Please check if you have directx 9c. also are you using windowsxp certified sound drivers? the dxdiag will check these.
a couple of other things you could look at, in control panel audio and sounds/sounds make sure it is ticked to use only default devices.

run a scan for corrupted files
at start>run type in cmd> sfc /scannow

Windows also has a help in every program folder that will be focused on that subject. For example if you open the vol on the taskbar there is a help.
Have you run a  recent windows update?
Are your speakers fully plugged in, some speakers have a 3d button and when turned on distorts the sounds.
A lot of computers also come with very sad speakers lol.
Try another set of speakers they are really cheap now.
Check in your devices if there is any yellow question marks or problem devices.
At start, all programs accessories system tools system information, have a look under the header>> problem devices.

Merete

 

by: ElijahBaileyPosted on 2006-04-05 at 03:16:16ID: 16379598

"...A lot of computers also come with very sad speakers lol..."

Currently running Logitech Z-5500 Speakers... I don't think they are cheap... lol

Just checking some of the other things that have been suggested... back soon

 

by: ElijahBaileyPosted on 2006-04-05 at 18:44:31ID: 16388271

Antunb
"...look at the CPU usage for the wmplayer and the program
also look at performance tab and see the cpu/memory..."
Nothing unusual there. Barely has the computer's attention.

saurabh_dua
The problem has been there since day #1 as far as I know - meaning, the problem has existed since I first heard it. Or if you like, I have never NOT had that problem on this computer. Reinstalling did not change anything.

nobus
Everything you suggested checked out.

Merete
Thanks for your post. Everything checked out ok. I am leaning towards your first suggestion of taking advantage of warranty options. The Audigy 4 doesn't have midi IO which is important for the uses to which the computer will be put. Apparently the Audigy 4 PRO does have them, at least it has midi IO sockets on the IO pod. I will try to get the same card that I have in my computer, a Soundblaster Live! and see how that goes.

 

by: MeretePosted on 2006-04-05 at 22:37:30ID: 16389152

sounds good, yes I would keep in mind  you still have warranty andif you can get it for free go for it. :)
Cheers Merete

 

by: ElijahBaileyPosted on 2006-04-05 at 23:15:39ID: 16389267

The problem has been solved. The program causing it was OTS DJ which had its output option set to WDM where the only other option was "Compat"

When I changed it to "Compat" the problem disappeared.

I award the points because the responses were useful in helping to find the problem. Your time was appreciated.

regards
EB

 

by: MeretePosted on 2006-04-06 at 01:24:21ID: 16389791

terrific ElijahBailey  wow those dj love their sounds loud lol.
Well done and many thanks.
Merete

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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