Has anyone solved the in game crackling once and for all?

[capt_frank]

I thought that I had, but now it's back with a vengenance, along with its friend distortion. I have tried lowering the sound acceleration and quality tabs, reinstalling my sound card drivers (Soundblaster X-FI) but with no avail. Sounds like I've got a CB user living next door, which I don't.

I sure hate turning down the sound with that new ROW deck gun sequence! Even pkinking away at the birds just to hear it...

Anyway, help is much appreciated.

Thanks!

[Go4It]

If you have a AGP card try the PCI Latency Tool. You can pick it up at http://guru3d.com/. If yiou have a PCIe card don't know what to tell ya......

[Peto]

Bluegears Enspirer Sound card. It took care of all my sound problems (including crackling). They cost about a hundred but well worth it. I've had about five or six Creative Labs Sound Blasters and I'll never get another one now that I've had this card.

If you have onboard sound--it's definitely worth the switch!

[capt_frank]

Thanks guys for the suggestions!

Here's what I did this morning, not to mention my three hour escapade last nite...

I have never let windows update any driver, be it sound or video. I have always manually performed my updates, and recently I manually updated the sound drivers. However, since I was nearing the end of my rope so to say, I had windows search for an update driver, and voila, AS OF right now, I am experiencing SHIV crackle free.

Hard to believe it was so simple. Maybe I'll let windows do some of my work from now on, since they seem to get it right...;)

Now to see if it lasts.

[capt_frank]

Nope, Back again...:down: :down:

[Peto]

Fo you have onboard audio capt_frank? I ask this becuase I have seen onboard audio have problems frequently. I can order 2 identical motherboards with onboard audio and 1 will have sound crackles etc while the other one does not... It is frequently hardware in nature--all those cicuits packed into a small area--and sometimes there is "interference". Millions of transistors and all it takes is one to create an annoying "POP". I've also found it can be application specific because of how the software interacts with the hardware. Sometimes drivers can help--sometimes no dice.

FYI--I don't blame your reluctance to update drivers as I am the same way. I only update drivers if I need to fix a problem and I'm reasonable sure that the driver will do it...

I had that problem with audio and resorted to the sound card solution I mentioned above. It works fine in both XP and Vista (although I don't do much gaming with my Vista boot--video driver problems I think).

Good Luck and I hope you find a solution soon.

FYI # 2: You can find bluegears sound card @ newegg.com for a good price.

Peto

[capt_frank]

For anyone who may be experiencing sound crackles, I think I solved the problems, will report after some further testing.

Didn't involve a new card...:up:

Deep into a mission and so far crackle free, and it sure is nice for a change!

[Peto]

I'll be the 1st to applaud you!!! :up:

[CaptainHaplo]

I had this issue with both SH3 AND SH4. I have an old sb live card. To solve the issue I disabled the card (keeping it in the machine because of I use it for the gameport) and went to onboard sound only. Result - no audio distortion whatsoever. May not work for everyone - but SB cards struggle with the SH series for some reason. Best of Luck.

[capt_frank]

Double crap, they're back.

So it's either a new card or go onboard sound.

So here's the stupid question of the day: How can I easily tell if I have onboard sound? And do I have to enable it in the BIOS? I haven't dealt with onboard sound for a verrrrry long time so I'm kinda clueless here...:hmm:

Thanks!

[DrBeast]

Yes, you'd have to find it in the BIOS menu and enable it. You access the BIOS upon boot usually by pressing the Delete key (though some BIOS require another key, watch the screen closely upon boot and you'll see a "Press [keyname] to enter Setup" or similar message.

HOWEVER...before enabling it you'll have to disable the other sound card! Uninstall the drivers etc. Worst case scenario (meaning you don't have an on-board sound chip), you just reinstall its drivers.

Here's what to do: upon boot, enter BIOS. Check to see if you do have an onboard sound chip. If you do, mark down its type. Now exit BIOS without saving. Do a google search for "sound chip type drivers", download the latest drivers. Now, uninstall your current sound card's drivers. Shut down the PC, remove the sound card. Fire up the PC, enter BIOS, enable on-board sound, bypass the whole "Windoze has found a new device", manually install the drivers you downloaded. That's all.

Note: this is for Windoze XP, I have NO idea how Vista work!

[capt_frank]

I'm in the BIOS and all it sayz is that Integrated Audio is "Off", no mention as to what kind it is. It's a Dell XPS 710 btw.

Do I have to remove the sound card or can I leave it in the chassis and just disable it?

Thanks!

[Peto]

I recommend removing the card from the system. Make sure the computer is OFF when you do so!!!! As far as the onboard audio goes--go to dell's website and look up your system in Drivers and Downloads. You can use your service tag number (white one) on the back of your chassis. It may give you more than one option for sound drivers.

I can't do more right now (going to work on computers ;)) but if you need more help say so. There are many on this site who will be happy to help you. And I'll be online at work as well and try to point you in the right direction.

Don't give up the ship!!!!

Peto

[capt_frank]

As far as the onboard audio goes--go to dell's website and look up your system in Drivers and Downloads. You can use your service tag number (white one) on the back of your chassis. It may give you more than one option for sound drivers.

DOH!! Now why didn't I thunk of that?!

Off to the mountains for a bit with the wife, will tackle this in a few.

Thanks!

[capt_frank]

And with a big kick in the butt, my SB X-FI card bit the dust, replaced with my rock steady onboard sound device.

And with that went the scratchies, the "Jimi Hendrix" distortion and the foul language which previously emminated from my oral orafice...

At least for the time being, which I hope lasts longer...

I have been enjoying SHIV for the last hour or so as it should be enjoyed...with sound full tilt. I'm hearing stuff I've never heard before! Just love the sounds of the Sugar Boats...

Thanks to all who helped me in this sojourn! It soitenly was worth the trip even though I wasn't so sure at times...

Peter

[CaptainHaplo]

Good to hear Frank. I wasnt on to see your earlier posts - I would disagree with my comrade on here about removing the card - but to each their own. I have kept mine in and simply have it disabled in the device manager so I can use the gameport and havent had any problems - but hey - as long as your happy - more power to ya! Enjoy!

[Peto]

Glad to hear it's working!!! :rock: :up: :yep:

The reason I remove unused cards is to take them out of the loop as far as power supply consumption and freeing up resources. I won't say it's essential but if it ain't workin' it ain't in my computer!!! I've also seen cards that aren't working right cause other "abnormalities" up to and including frying the motherboard (an extreme example for sure!!!).

No offense to CaptainHaplo :up:!!! I won't say you're wrong because--well--disabling in DM will almost always be enough. But doing tech support for 20 years makes me go to the extreme in caution :shifty:.

Cheers!!!

[DrBeast]

Heh...once more I wonder if becoming a vet was the right career path for me! :rotfl:

[CaptainHaplo]

Peto - thats a very good point about power and abnormalities! :up: I have been in IT for too many years myself - and its amazing the little things we tend to forget or discount as age creeps up on us. I have to agree - if I didnt need the gameport (I like my gravis blackhawk too much to get a new stick) the card would be gone. So - your right - if he isn't going to use the card - he did the right thing and pull it.

Dr. Beast - if you mean an animal doctor - well - someone has to take care of our pals - machines and parts can be replaced - family members can't! :up:

[Peto]

CaptainHaplo: As a long time computer tech, I always keep in mind that if I remembered half the stuff I forgot I might be smart. But since I don't, there's very little chance of that! :up:

DrBeast: My cat hates you! :rotfl:

Cheers!!!

[DrBeast]

Yes, vet as in veterinarian...keep forgetting it means veteran as well :D

Peto: the story of my life, cats hating me. I think they sense I'm in league with their enemy, as dogs are absolutely crazy about me! :rotfl:

[Tobus]

Hmm, strange. I also have onboard sound, but that is something that gives me crackles in numerous games. Also, because it derives it's hardware acceleration from the CPU, it slows down you computer. Not good. I did have crackles with SH3 and SH4, but got me an SB X-Fi Music.

Anyway, I not only disabled my onboard sound in the BIOS, but also have a jumper to shut down the hardware for the onboard sound. After those two action my games are ALL crackle free, and a couple of FPS higher as icing on the cake.

Computers ... weird things:know:

[Peto]

DrBeast: :up:

Tobus: Yes they are!!! I've seen identical systems with identical software have problems that are completely different. And there are different onboard sound chips--and some of them really do impact the CPU. Others work fine. It's still a mystery sometimes :hmm:.

Cheers!