Windows 7 Pro Sound / Popcorn Popping or Arcs
I have a Windows 7 Pro system that suddenly developed an annoying sound problem.
It's using a Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 (WDM) PCI card which has been working fine for years.
Now, after listening to longer tracks of music or ... or just any old time ... the speakers start outputting loud snapping noises like popcorn popping. They sound a bit like arcs.
It's not the speakers unless two sets of speakers are putting out power line noises of this sort - which seems very unlikely.
Turning off any of the sources in software has no effect.
Uninstalling the sound card from the Device Manager seems to fix it - so it seems unlikely that the sound card itself is autonomously putting out these noises.
I have tried all of the things I could browse for on the web and nothing seems to help.
Theories include:
- bad PC power supply.
- bad sound card (nonetheless)
- Windows software somehow / reinstall Windows seems a bit drastic....
The noises don't happen all the time and seem to be variable in frequency and loudness.
There appear to be lots of people who have experienced this but no definitive cause is mentioned. "try this and try that" seems to be the best advice there's been and seems to have little success.
So, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience and solid recommendations about this.
It's using a Creative SoundBlaster Audigy 2 (WDM) PCI card which has been working fine for years.
Now, after listening to longer tracks of music or ... or just any old time ... the speakers start outputting loud snapping noises like popcorn popping. They sound a bit like arcs.
It's not the speakers unless two sets of speakers are putting out power line noises of this sort - which seems very unlikely.
Turning off any of the sources in software has no effect.
Uninstalling the sound card from the Device Manager seems to fix it - so it seems unlikely that the sound card itself is autonomously putting out these noises.
I have tried all of the things I could browse for on the web and nothing seems to help.
Theories include:
- bad PC power supply.
- bad sound card (nonetheless)
- Windows software somehow / reinstall Windows seems a bit drastic....
The noises don't happen all the time and seem to be variable in frequency and loudness.
There appear to be lots of people who have experienced this but no definitive cause is mentioned. "try this and try that" seems to be the best advice there's been and seems to have little success.
So, I'm wondering if anyone has any experience and solid recommendations about this.
Last Comment
SOLUTION
THIS SOLUTION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS.
View this solution by signing up for a free trial.
Members can start a 7-Day free trial and enjoy unlimited access to the platform.
SOLUTION
THIS SOLUTION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS.
View this solution by signing up for a free trial.
Members can start a 7-Day free trial and enjoy unlimited access to the platform.
SOLUTION
THIS SOLUTION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS.
View this solution by signing up for a free trial.
Members can start a 7-Day free trial and enjoy unlimited access to the platform.
SOLUTION
THIS SOLUTION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS.
View this solution by signing up for a free trial.
Members can start a 7-Day free trial and enjoy unlimited access to the platform.
SOLUTION
THIS SOLUTION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS.
View this solution by signing up for a free trial.
Members can start a 7-Day free trial and enjoy unlimited access to the platform.
SOLUTION
THIS SOLUTION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS.
View this solution by signing up for a free trial.
Members can start a 7-Day free trial and enjoy unlimited access to the platform.
ASKER
Yes it happens in Safe Mode.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
THIS SOLUTION IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS.
View this solution by signing up for a free trial.
Members can start a 7-Day free trial and enjoy unlimited access to the platform.
ASKER
The model is "Model 3 by Coastal Computers & Networks" :-) That is, I built this one.
It appears the problem:
1) was not the sound card nor its connectors. As usual, the connectors aren't "exercised" often at all. One connection per year maybe? The sound card appeared to work OK in another computer.
2) WAS the power supply it appears. The original was a high quality PS. Putting in a new PS seems to have solved the problem.
Thanks to everyone who replied!!
It appears the problem:
1) was not the sound card nor its connectors. As usual, the connectors aren't "exercised" often at all. One connection per year maybe? The sound card appeared to work OK in another computer.
2) WAS the power supply it appears. The original was a high quality PS. Putting in a new PS seems to have solved the problem.
Thanks to everyone who replied!!
ASKER
It was the PSU
glad to hear it's solved
don't forget to close this now
don't forget to close this now
sorry -i posted it a bit faster than your accept..
ASKER
:-)
Hardware
Hardware includes cell phones and other digital living devices, tablets, computers, servers, peripherals and components, printers and scanners, gaming consoles, networking hardware such as routers, hubs, switches and modems, storage devices and security equipment such as firewalls and other appliances.
69K
Questions
--
Followers
--
Top Experts
Get a personalized solution from industry experts
TRUSTED BY
ASKER
These aren't sound dropouts. The noise is superimposed on other intentional sounds and they appear to NOT be dropping out. The volume of the noise seems to not be changed by anything other than the external speaker volume control .. if that.