audio interferance from the video card?

Discussion in 'Hardware' started by johnnyscash, Jun 3, 2008.

  1. johnnyscash

    johnnyscash Private E-2

    Hello all,

    I have a slight problem with my audio card (I think). I can hear strange sounds coming from the speakers all the time. It is very faint, and also the tone of the sound changes depending on what's being displayed on screen.
    This is a major concern to me as I work in audio production so the prob has to be fixed.

    Thanks for reading..look forward to hearing your suggestions :major
     
  2. akhilles

    akhilles First Sergeant

    Try unplugging & plugging the audio cable in. Or even try another cable.
     
  3. Bold Eagle

    Bold Eagle MajorGeek

    Also do you have a mic plugged in? This may be very sensitive and picking up background noises. Mine does.
     
  4. Appzalien

    Appzalien Staff Sergeant

    If you have an actual audio card instead of onboard audio you can try moving it to another slot and see if that fixes it.

    Most pro audio people tell you to use a card instead of onboard audio because of cross talk. Thats what happens on the motherboard because the tiny circutry runs so close to one another. Sometimes even with an audio card you might still get cross talk if your onboard audio has not been properly disabled. Since onboard audio is default from the factory and not all boards will automatically turn it off when a card is detected, you have to check your manual and bios settings for the correct method of turning off the onboard audio.

    And if you are allready using onboard audio and not a card, you should get one.

    Noise can also be picked up by the circuitry of the amplified speaker system, the only remedy is to move the speakers or the source of the noise. I sometimes hear truckers on their CB's on my system, and pretty loud too.
     
  5. johnnyscash

    johnnyscash Private E-2

    hehe, thanks for the input Appzalien. Yes, of course I'm using a card and not the onboard. I expressed these same concerns (RE: proximity to other components) to the guy who put the PC together for me but he told me it wouldn't have an effect. I will take your advice and try moving it.

    Thanks for the other suggestions too guys, the cables I'm using are quite high end, and no there are no mics or any other input on the card switched on (all muted apart from master volume and wave).

    To be honest I didn't notice this problem until something rather weird happened. On one occasion about a week ago, I right clicked and emptied recycle bin....and in place of the usual crumpling paper sound there was a really horrid distorted beep came from the speakers. I'm afraid it could be a more serious issue with the sound card. As I said though, the interferance is quite mild and I have high hopes about Appzaliens placement suggestion. Will report back after moving it. Thanks all, alot.:major
     
  6. Appzalien

    Appzalien Staff Sergeant

    Depending on how long you have been running this machine with this card there is also the possibility that the cards slot connections have developed a little oxidation that is effecting the cards performance. As to whether or not it could cause your nasty recycle bin empty sound I couldn't say. Moving the card could fix it, as just plugging and unplugging cards is a sort of self cleaning mechanism. You could also manually clean the cards contacts with some clean rough paper like a piece of brown shopping bag. Just fold a piece over both sides and swipe it once or twice down the row. You could do this and remount in the same slot to see what happens.

    From your description of the recycle bin incident I tend to agree with you that the card may have failed in some way. Perhaps a capacitor is leaking or one of the chips was defective and took a while to fail. Warranty?
     
  7. johnnyscash

    johnnyscash Private E-2

    Thanks again Appzalien...unfortunately I just put the PC together recently, and there's no oxidisation on the contacts. It's just weird how the noise changes depending on whats showing on the screen. Oh well, I will try moving the card further from the VGA card and see what happens. :)
     
  8. johnnyscash

    johnnyscash Private E-2

    First off, sorry for such a long post.

    OK, let me update..

    I've just discovered that the audio performance of my machine is reduced to about 15% of what it was. So basically it seems as though there's been a malfunction of the SC itself. I tried what u suggested Appzalien and when I restarted the PC it was fine, for about 5 minutes, then response times started to lag, and then ultimately a terrible din coming from the speakers. Weird thing is, as long as the project I'm working on is not toooo heavy, the sound is fine. It's only when running a couple of heavy VST virtual plug ins when I experience the problems. I'm ruling out the possibility of my audio application being the problem because of the miraculous 5 minute recovery I experienced from the unplugging SC and plugging it back in procedure.

    I have a theory though...The soundcard worked relatively well in my old PC, which had a different PSU (less wattage) than the PC it's currently in. The SC is a 4 year old Audigy 2 ZS. Is it possible there is an incompatibility with the new PSU or the new motherboard?

    Thanks massively anyone who responds :)

    Here's the specs...


    ------------------
    System Information
    ------------------


    Time of this report: 6/12/2008, 11:00:42


    **Machine name: HOME-3E8DFB7921
    **Operating System: Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 3 (2600.xpsp.080413-2111)
    **Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
    **System Manufacturer: System manufacturer
    **System Model: P5E3 Premium
    **BIOS: BIOS Date: 04/03/08 16:42:17 Ver: 08.00.12
    **Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q9450 @ 2.66GHz (4 CPUs)
    **Memory: 2048MB RAM
    **Page File: 209MB used, 3729MB available
    **Windows Dir: C:\WINDOWS
    **DirectX Version: DirectX 9.0c (4.09.0000.0904)
    **DX Setup Parameters: Not found
    **DxDiag Version: 5.03.2600.5512 32bit Unicode



    Here is the rest of the report, I'm not sure if it's all relivant, but here goes anyway...



    ------------
    DxDiag Notes
    ------------
    DirectX Files Tab: No problems found.
    Display Tab 1: No problems found.
    Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
    Music Tab: No problems found.
    Input Tab: No problems found.
    Network Tab: No problems found.

    --------------------
    DirectX Debug Levels
    --------------------
    Direct3D: 0/4 (n/a)
    DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
    DirectInput: 0/5 (n/a)
    DirectMusic: 0/5 (n/a)
    DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
    DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
    DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

    ---------------
    Display Devices
    ---------------
    Card name: NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS
    Manufacturer: NVIDIA
    Chip type: GeForce 8400 GS
    DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
    Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E4&SUBSYS_23541682&REV_A1
    Display Memory: 512.0 MB
    Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
    Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
    Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
    Driver Name: nv4_disp.dll
    Driver Version: 6.14.0011.6906 (English)
    DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
    Driver Attributes: Final Retail
    Driver Date/Size: 11/7/2007 01:00:00, 5770880 bytes
    WHQL Logo'd: Yes
    WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
    VDD: n/a
    Mini VDD: nv4_mini.sys
    Mini VDD Date: 11/7/2007 01:00:00, 7429088 bytes
    Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-45A4-11CF-C86F-5F0300C2CB35}
    Vendor ID: 0x10DE
    Device ID: 0x06E4
    SubSys ID: 0x23541682
    Revision ID: 0x00A1
    Revision ID: 0x00A1
    Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_C ModeMPEG2_D
    Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
    {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
    {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
    {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
    {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
    {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
    {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
    {335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
    Registry: OK
    DDraw Status: Enabled
    D3D Status: Enabled
    AGP Status: Enabled
    DDraw Test Result: Not run
    D3D7 Test Result: Not run
    D3D8 Test Result: Not run
    D3D9 Test Result: Not run

    -------------
    Sound Devices
    -------------
    Description: SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio [E880]
    Default Sound Playback: Yes
    Default Voice Playback: Yes
    Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_1102&DEV_0004&SUBSYS_20021102&REV_04
    Manufacturer ID: 1
    Product ID: 100
    Type: WDM
    Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
    Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0444 (English)
    Driver Attributes: Final Retail
    WHQL Logo'd: Yes
    Date and Size: 10/18/2004 15:21:24, 371376 bytes
    Other Files:
    Driver Provider: Creative
    HW Accel Level: Full
    Cap Flags: 0xF5F
    Min/Max Sample Rate: 4000, 192000
    Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 64, 62
    Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 64, 62
    HW Memory: 0
    Voice Management: Yes
    EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: Yes, Yes
    I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
    Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No
    Registry: OK
    Sound Test Result: Not run

    ---------------------
    Sound Capture Devices
    ---------------------
    Description: SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio [E880]
    Default Sound Capture: Yes
    Default Voice Capture: Yes
    Driver Name: ctaud2k.sys
    Driver Version: 5.12.0001.0444 (English)
    Driver Attributes: Final Retail
    Date and Size: 10/18/2004 15:21:24, 371376 bytes
    Cap Flags: 0x41
    Format Flags: 0xFFF

    -----------
    DirectMusic
    -----------
    DLS Path: C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\drivers\GM.DLS
    DLS Version: 1.00.0016.0002
    Acceleration: Enabled
    Ports: SB Audigy 2 ZS DirectMusic Synthesizer [E880], Hardware (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal, Default Port
    SB Audigy 2 ZS Audio [E880], Software (Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
    Microsoft MIDI Mapper [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
    SB Audigy 2 ZS Synth A [E880] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
    SB Audigy 2 ZS Sw Synth [E880] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
    SB Audigy 2 ZS Synth B [E880] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
    SB Audigy 2 ZS MIDI IO [E880] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
    SB Audigy 2 ZS MIDI IO 2 [E880] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, External
    Microsoft GS Wavetable SW Synth [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Output, No DLS, Internal
    SB Audigy 2 ZS MIDI IO [E880] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
    SB Audigy 2 ZS MIDI IO 2 [E880] [Emulated], Hardware (Not Kernel Mode), Input, No DLS, External
    Microsoft Synthesizer, Software (Not Kernel Mode), Output, DLS, Internal
    Registry: OK
    Test Result: Not run

    -------------------
    DirectInput Devices
    -------------------
    Device Name: Mouse
    Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
    Vendor/Product ID: n/a
    FF Driver: n/a

    Device Name: Keyboard
    Attached: 1
    Controller ID: n/a
    Vendor/Product ID: n/a
    FF Driver: n/a

    Poll w/ Interrupt: No
    Registry: OK

    -----------
    USB Devices
    -----------
    + USB Root Hub
    | Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x2937
    | Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub
    | Service: usbhub
    | Driver: usbhub.sys, 4/13/2008 20:45:37, 59520 bytes
    | Driver: usbd.sys, 8/29/2002 14:00:00, 4736 bytes

    ----------------
    Gameport Devices
    ----------------
    + Intel(R) 82801 PCI Bridge - 244E
    | Location: PCI bus 0, device 30, function 0
    | Matching Device ID: pci\ven_8086&dev_244e
    | Service: pci
    | Driver: pci.sys, 4/13/2008 20:36:44, 68224 bytes
    |
    +-+ Creative Game Port
    | | Location: PCI bus 5, device 1, function 1
    | | Matching Device ID: pci\ven_1102&dev_7003&subsys_00401102
    | | Service: gameenum
    | | Driver: gameenum.sys, 4/13/2008 20:45:30, 10624 bytes

    ------------
    PS/2 Devices
    ------------
    + Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
    | Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
    | Service: i8042prt
    | Driver: i8042prt.sys, 4/13/2008 21:18:00, 52480 bytes
    | Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 20:39:47, 24576 bytes
    |
    + Terminal Server Keyboard Driver
    | Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
    | Upper Filters: kbdclass
    | Service: TermDD
    | Driver: termdd.sys, 4/14/2008 02:13:20, 40840 bytes
    | Driver: kbdclass.sys, 4/13/2008 20:39:47, 24576 bytes
    |
    + HID-compliant mouse
    | Vendor/Product ID: 0x0D62, 0xA100
    | Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
    | Service: mouhid
    | Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 20:39:47, 23040 bytes
    | Driver: mouhid.sys, 8/29/2002 14:00:00, 12160 bytes
    |
    + Terminal Server Mouse Driver
    | Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
    | Upper Filters: mouclass
    | Service: TermDD
    | Driver: termdd.sys, 4/14/2008 02:13:20, 40840 bytes
    | Driver: mouclass.sys, 4/13/2008 20:39:47, 23040 bytes

    ----------------------------
    DirectPlay Service Providers
    ----------------------------
    DirectPlay8 Modem Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
    DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
    DirectPlay8 IPX Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
    DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider - Registry: OK, File: dpnet.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
    Internet TCP/IP Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
    IPX Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpwsockx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
    Modem Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)
    Serial Connection For DirectPlay - Registry: OK, File: dpmodemx.dll (5.03.2600.5512)

    DirectPlay Voice Wizard Tests: Full Duplex: Not run, Half Duplex: Not run, Mic: Not run
    DirectPlay Test Result: Not run
    Registry: OK

    -------------------
    DirectPlay Adapters
    -------------------
    DirectPlay8 Serial Service Provider: COM1
    DirectPlay8 TCP/IP Service Provider: Local Area Connection - IPv4 -

    -----------------------
    DirectPlay Voice Codecs
    -----------------------
    Voxware VR12 1.4kbit/s
    Voxware SC06 6.4kbit/s
    Voxware SC03 3.2kbit/s
    MS-PCM 64 kbit/s
    MS-ADPCM 32.8 kbit/s
    Microsoft GSM 6.10 13 kbit/s
    TrueSpeech(TM) 8.6 kbit/s

    -------------------------
    DirectPlay Lobbyable Apps
    -------------------------

    ------------------------
    Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
    ------------------------
    Drive: C:
    Free Space: 226.8 GB
    Total Space: 238.5 GB
    File System: NTFS
    Model: MAXTOR STM3250310AS

    Drive: D:
    Free Space: 36.8 GB
    Total Space: 40.0 GB
    File System: NTFS
    Model: ST316002 3A SCSI Disk Device

    Drive: E:
    Free Space: 16.4 GB
    Total Space: 40.0 GB
    File System: NTFS
    Model: ST316002 3A SCSI Disk Device

    Drive: F:
    Free Space: 37.4 GB
    Total Space: 51.1 GB
    File System: NTFS
    Model: ST316002 3A SCSI Disk Device

    Drive: G:
    Free Space: 12.5 GB
    Total Space: 21.6 GB
    File System: NTFS
    Model: ST316002 3A SCSI Disk Device

    Drive: H:
    Model: PIONEER DVD-RW DVR-215D
    Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 5.01.2600.5512 (English), 4/13/2008 20:40:46, 62976 bytes
     
  9. johnnyscash

    johnnyscash Private E-2

    Just bumping this thread. I have still not resolved the problem nor am I able to find out ANYTHING about it online. Has anyone else ever experienced terrible digital distortion coming from their speakers when emptying recycle bin?

    Please help.:cry
     
  10. akhilles

    akhilles First Sergeant

    If that's the only symptom, it may be your windows sound scheme. Go to control panel, sounds, on sound tab, select no sounds from drop-down, ok.
     
  11. plodr

    plodr Major Geek Super Extraordinaire

    Look in your system sounds and see what sound is associated with emptying the recycle bin. Either change the sound or try no sound and see what happens.
    ooops, sorry I see that is what the poster above me suggested. I need to stop reading with one eye closed. :eek:
     
  12. johnnyscash

    johnnyscash Private E-2

    Thanks for the suggestions guys. Disabling the sound won't eliminate the cause of the problem though...it might just disguise it. The distortion is not quiet, it blasts out of the speakers...awful glitchy sound. Now if this sound were my only prob I wouldn't worry, but I'm quite sure this is related to some other soundcard issues I'm having. That is why I'm interested to know if anyone else has either had this happen to them, or know of someone who it's happened to. I guess when it comes to computers I always hope that there's some wizard out there who can give me the simple antidote to my problem....the situation is looking far more dire at the moment. :confused
    Any further suggestions will be much appreciated. Thanks again guys :)
     
  13. Appzalien

    Appzalien Staff Sergeant

    Well, if the problem is specifically related to the recycle bin emptying sound, then there is the possibility that your recycle bin sound was replaced with this new one by a mild virus (one of those that is more mischievious than destructive), or perhaps a not so close friend who has access to your PC is sitting back now snickering. One way to tell is to make a copy of the sound and play it on another pc to see what happens.

    C > Windows > Media > Windows XP Recycle.wav

    First play it with Media Player to make sure its the right one. If it plays normally on another pc then I would suspect there is something wrong with your card, chipset or wav codec. If it plays the same distorted sound, copy the one from the other pc to put back on yours.
     

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