Does anyone else experience this computer problem?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Patrick M
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Patrick M

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Hi,

I'm a newbie here. I could use some help with this problem.

My computer produces an audible "POP" sound about every 63 seconds. It's not too loud. I have to crank my mixer to hear it clearly, but it starts as soon as I boot up and doesn't stop until I shut the computer down. It's incredibly frustrating because everything is brand new and it's a purpose built DAW system. Other than this, everything works perfectly and relatively crash free.

I'm going nuts trying to track down the pop sound. I've run out of ideas on what it can be.

Here is the system:

XP home
P4 1800
512 DDR Ram
40 gig Ultra ATA
Biostar P4M266 motherboard (VIA VT8751 chipset)
Audigy 2 soundcard (until I can get my hands on a real SC)

All of my drivers are the latest available.

I'm pretty sure the problem isn't from my Daw software (Cubase SX). I've uninstalled everything and reinstalled it again, but the pop is there either way. Otherwise, my system is really bare bones as far as software is concerned.

Does anyone here experience this problem? Any ideas on what I could try?

Thanks,
Patrick
 
I would be curious to know what might be running in the background. Press ctrl-alt-del and tell us what’s running. Close all programs one by one... does it stop after closing any programs?

Does this happen while recording or playing back or just anytime. Will it happen when no programs are running, when the system is idle or when plugged in, powered off yet monitors still connected and on...

Basically we want to use process of elimination to narrow down the possibilities...
 
Hey Gunther,

In order...

The pop is there all the time. About every 60 to 63 seconds. Even at the sign on screen. In otherwords, from boot to shutdown regardless of system state.

I have tried shutting every service and process down, but discovered that it made no difference.

It only happens while the computer is on, so it is not from the monitor system.

I've been trying the process of elimination, but I don't know what else to eliminate, except maybe the computer!

Thanks for your reply, Gunther, I really do apreciate it.

Patrick
 
Opps, I forgot to mention, there is nothing other than basic system operations working in the background. If I shut off system processes, the computer becomes unstable.

There are no schedulers, update programs or anything like that. At least that I can see.

Patrick
 
Yeah, if you have a second computer it would be worth popping it in, just to check...

What might also reveal good info is to mute all the sources in the windows mixer... if the pop goes away then enable all the various sources one by one till you find the culprit.

If that doesn’t work, try disabling all the EAX crap and hardware acceleration.
 
It may not be a software issue. If possible, try the sound card in another computer and check for your pop, it could be a defective card.
 
You both gave some good avenues for me to check out. It will be a few days before I can swap the soundcard to another computer, but that's gonna happen. In the meantime, I'll try Gunther's suggestions. What exactly is "eax crap"? I'll do a search, but I'm guessing they are drivers?

I'll check hardware acceleration. I know it is turned on for both graphic and sound hardware. I didn't know that could be a possible source of noise anomolies.

Thank you and I'll let you know what turns up.

Patrick
 
Some other things that come to mind also are external interferences like cell phones. Cell phones can create some wild noises around audio equipment even when they are just sitting there not being used (turned on of course). Could it be something plugged into the same outlet as your equipment that is making the noises?

G/L
Greg
 
EAX is soundblaster's special gaming effects.

I think the bets thing is to use the mixer and mute all the sources. that will eliminate things like attached equipment, cd rom player and such.

Swaping the sound card is a great idea. You can even go as far as getting an second audigy from the store, install it... and if it works, put your old one in the new box and return it.
 
just to confirm... if you boot to DOS... is there a sound?

and if you DISABLE your soundcard in the deviece manager... is there a sound?

xoxo
 
ONe more thing to check - does your PC have a network card? Or a network adaptor on the motherboard? If so, disable it. Network cards can in some cases cause a regular clicking like you describe, even if they are not plugged in and being used.
 
Ugh, I could be wrong about it... but

camn said:
just to confirm... if you boot to DOS... is there a sound?

I don't think WinXP supports boot to DOS... :confused: And since Audigy uses IRQ 10 instead of 5 (which is highest supported by DOS), I don't think it will give you accurate comparations... I will guess it's Network or some other devices conflict (sharing resource). Or could be bad installed driver. Once, I've got crackle and click noises, and try to reinstall the drivers on my XP home system (SB Live!), it doesn't solve the problem untill I delete and reinstall Windows... :( Hope you wont end up like this...

;)
Jaymz
 
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