Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS - Crackling Win XP Pro

[Tino]

Hello all,

This is my first post. I was referred by a friend from work (*Steve).

In any case, the title pretty much sums up my issues. I've upgraded from
Win 98SE and I'm not very happy with the results.

I have tried a search, but it seems the other posts are not quite the same.

After installing XP Pro, my sound card will crackle upon opening programs.
It gets worse as more programs are open...and the sound will even skip, stop,
or drop out as the programs load.

The sound card drivers have been updated from the MFG site, and still no luck.

Device Manager shows no conflicts, and I'm pretty sure the BIOS is setup
properly, but I can't be too sure.

I don't know what info you need, so before I post a novel of computer stats,
let me know what specifics you need.

Computer: 1.66 GHz AMD processor, ASUS motherboard, 512 MB RAM
Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS

Norton Anti-virus installed and running ( tried to disable with no better result)

Is there a known issue with XP Pro and Creative Audigy?

Thanks in advance for any tips!
Tino

[antgross@pacbell.net]

Originally Posted by Tino Hello all, This is my first post. I was referred by a friend from work (*Steve). In any case, the title pretty much sums up my issues. I've upgraded from Win 98SE and I'm not very happy with the results. I have tried a search, but it seems the other posts are not quite the same. After installing XP Pro, my sound card will crackle upon opening programs. It gets worse as more programs are open...and the sound will even skip, stop, or drop out as the programs load. The sound card drivers have been updated from the MFG site, and still no luck. Device Manager shows no conflicts, and I'm pretty sure the BIOS is setup properly, but I can't be too sure. I don't know what info you need, so before I post a novel of computer stats, let me know what specifics you need. Computer: 1.66 GHz AMD processor, ASUS motherboard, 512 MB RAM Sound Card: Creative Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS Norton Anti-virus installed and running ( tried to disable with no better result) Is there a known issue with XP Pro and Creative Audigy? Thanks in advance for any tips! Tino

I have the same sound card. This is what I would do:

First, go into your bios and disable any onboard sound codecs. Since you're using a separate sound card, you don't need to be using the onboard sound since this can cause resource conflicts with your dedicated sound card which could be causing your sound crackles, etc.
Second, re-install the drivers for your sound card from the CD that came with your sound card.

Also, make sure you have the most recent version of directx installed on your computer.

Let us know how this works.

good luck

[Tino]

I pulled the jumpers on the mother board when the SC was installed, but I
didn't realize there was an audio parameter in the BIOS (it was buried three
menus down).

The latest version of Direct X is installed (Ver. 9.0)

I haven't re-installed the drivers from CD, but I did a system restore from
yesterday's date. That didn't fix the crackle, but I'm thinking that system
restore may not have removed the sound card drivers?

I'll grab the drivers from the CD-ROM tomorrow and update you.

On a side note, would having a slow access hard drive have anything to
do with the crackle? My last HD crashed and I've replaced it with an old
spare 12 GB Quantum Fireball (3.5 Series).

[antgross@pacbell.net]

Originally Posted by Tino I pulled the jumpers on the mother board when the SC was installed, but I didn't realize there was an audio parameter in the BIOS (it was buried three menus down). The latest version of Direct X is installed (Ver. 9.0) I haven't re-installed the drivers from CD, but I did a system restore from yesterday's date. That didn't fix the crackle, but I'm thinking that system restore may not have removed the sound card drivers? I'll grab the drivers from the CD-ROM tomorrow and update you. On a side note, would having a slow access hard drive have anything to do with the crackle? My last HD crashed and I've replaced it with an old spare 12 GB Quantum Fireball (3.5 Series).

Your older hard drive should not be an issue. I think once you re-install the drivers after you've disabled the onboard codecs etc. your sound will work normally.

[Tino]

Thanks guys.

I think it's cured now.

After disabling the BIOS parameters; installing Direct X 9.0 and reapplying the
CD-ROM drivers, I don't hear the crackle any longer.

I've opened about 12 programs and everything seems fine now.

THere is still a skip and hesitation as the programs load, but I think that's
attributed to my hard drive access time. Once I slap in a new 7200 RPM
Western Digital, I think that will solve all of my problems.

Once again, thanks for the pointers.

For those having the same problem, be sure to uninstall the drivers, cylce power
on the computer, then re-install the drivers.

For those with "Award Medallion" BIOS v6.0, go to the:

Advanced menu > PCI Configuration > Onboard PCI Device Controllers >

Onboard Audio AC97 Controller - Disable

[antgross@pacbell.net]

Originally Posted by Tino Thanks guys. I think it's cured now. After disabling the BIOS parameters; installing Direct X 9.0 and reapplying the CD-ROM drivers, I don't hear the crackle any longer. I've opened about 12 programs and everything seems fine now. THere is still a skip and hesitation as the programs load, but I think that's attributed to my hard drive access time. Once I slap in a new 7200 RPM Western Digital, I think that will solve all of my problems. Once again, thanks for the pointers. For those having the same problem, be sure to uninstall the drivers, cylce power on the computer, then re-install the drivers. For those with "Award Medallion" BIOS v6.0, go to the: Advanced menu > PCI Configuration > Onboard PCI Device Controllers > Onboard Audio AC97 Controller - Disable

If you go to start, run and type dxdiag, you can run diagnostics for your sound card etc. Eg., you can reduce the hardware acceleration level a little which may improve performance as well until you put in a faster hard drive.