Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

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Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

2003-01-24 05:06:32

Need help resolving SNAPS and POPS in the SBLive audio system of a Win2K SCSI workstation. Have tried many approaches to remedy such as:

These pops, snaps and clicks come and go, but they are ruining the ability to evaluate, encode, and enjoy music. Please advise on new approach. SBLive may be the problem.. should it be deep-6'ed??

HELP..!!

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #1 – 2003-01-24 05:27:34

Forgot to add IRQ table to previous post!!

IRQ Number   Device

1   Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
3   Communications Port (COM2)
4   Communications Port (COM1)
6   Standard floppy disk controller
8   System CMOS/real time clock
9   Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System
12   PS/2 Compatible Mouse
13   Numeric data processor
16   NVIDIA RIVA TNT2/TNT2 Pro
17   Promise Technology Inc. Ultra66 IDE Controller
17   3Com 3C918 Integrated Fast Ethernet Controller (3C905B-TX Compatible)
17   Adaptec AIC-7850 PCI SCSI Controller
18   Creative SB Live! Value
18   Adaptec AHA-2940U2/U2W PCI SCSI Controller
18   Adaptec AIC-7880 PCI SCSI Controller
19   Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller

[span style='font-size:8pt;line-height:100%']Primary SCSI controller: Adaptec AIC-7890 Ultra2/Wide LVD
(Adaptec 2940 U2W-equivalent)
* Primary hard-drive system

Secondary SCSI controller: Adaptec AIC-7880 internal Ultra/Narrow
and external Ultra/Wide
(Adaptec 2940 UW-equivalent)
* SCSI CD-ROM and CD-RW bus

Item Value

Name Adaptec AIC-7850 PCI SCSI Controller
Caption Adaptec AIC-7850 PCI SCSI Controller
Driver aic78xx
Status OK
IRQ Number 17
I/O Port 0xFC00-0xFCFF

Name Adaptec AHA-2940U2/U2W PCI SCSI Controller
Caption Adaptec AHA-2940U2/U2W PCI SCSI Controller
Driver aic78u2
Status OK
IRQ Number 18
I/O Port 0xF800-0xF8FF

Name Adaptec AIC-7880 PCI SCSI Controller
Caption Adaptec AIC-7880 PCI SCSI Controller
Driver aic78xx
Status OK
IRQ Number 18
I/O Port 0xF400-0xF4FF

Name Win2000 Promise Ultra66 ™ IDE Controller
Caption Win2000 Promise Ultra66 ™ IDE Controller
Driver Ultra
Status OK
IRQ Number 19
I/O Port 0xECB0-0xECB7
I/O Port 0xECA8-0xECAB
I/O Port 0xEC98-0xEC9F
I/O Port 0xEC90-0xEC93
I/O Port 0xEC40-0xEC7F[/span]

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #2 – 2003-01-24 06:56:54

Um... it could be that whole thing with the Via chipset, or whatever. Could you list your processor and motherboard?

I've got a Celeron 300A system at home that used to work, but I tried reviving it over Christmas vacation and no soundcard would stop crackling: SoundBlaster32, SBLive, MaxiSound Muse, or TBSC. I don't care enough about it to troubleshoot any further!

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #3 – 2003-01-24 07:37:56

You still havent tinkered with PCI latency timer B)

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #4 – 2003-01-24 10:10:18

If it is VIA chipset, VIA PCI Latency patch is necessary. (At least it was in my case).

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #5 – 2003-01-24 15:46:53

Hmmm, I may be totally out in the wild here, but I had similar problems with my (very old) Via chipset system together with SB Live value. I "solved" it by disabling DMA on the CD drive. I found this "solution" in some newsgroups a couple of years ago. You could try it on your SCSI/IDE units.

I never heard about the Via latency patch mentioned in the previous post. I am going to try it, and maybe I can enable DMA again?

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #6 – 2003-01-24 16:38:38

Quote

Um... it could be that whole thing with the Via chipset, or whatever. Could you list your processor and motherboard?

I've got a Celeron 300A system at home that used to work, but I tried reviving it over Christmas vacation and no soundcard would stop crackling: SoundBlaster32, SBLive, MaxiSound Muse, or TBSC. I don't care enough about it to troubleshoot any further!

Thanks.. but what's a `Via' chipset?? The thing that is alarming .. Creative Labs has NOT replied to any tech-support message. The specs are as follows:

Microprocessor type

Microprocessor type Intel® Pentium® III Xeon™

Pentium III Xeon
500 MHz internally/100 MHz externally

Internal cache 32 KB (16-KB data cache; 16-KB instruction cache)

Second-level cache 512-KB pipelined burst; 4-way set-associative, write-back ECC SRAM on each SEC cartridge

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

System Information

System chipset Intel Slot 2/440GX AGPset

Primary SCSI controller:
Adaptec AIC-7890 Ultra2/Wide LVD (Adaptec 2940 U2W-equivalent)

Secondary SCSI controller:
Adaptec AIC-7880 internal Ultra/Narrow and external Ultra/Wide (Adaptec 2940 UW-equivalent)

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #7 – 2003-01-24 16:53:41

ok, so it is not a via mobo, i have kinda similar system:

Code: [Select]

    IRQ 00                     Exclusive      System timer
    IRQ 01                     Undetermined   PC/AT Enhanced PS/2 Keyboard (101/102-Key)
    IRQ 03                     Exclusive      Communications Port (COM2)
    IRQ 04                     Exclusive      Communications Port (COM1)
    IRQ 05                     Shared         Creative SB Live! series(WDM)
    IRQ 05                     Shared         VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
    IRQ 05                     Shared         VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
    IRQ 06                     Exclusive      Standard floppy disk controller
    IRQ 08                     Exclusive      System CMOS/real time clock
    IRQ 09                     Shared         Generic SoftK56
    IRQ 0A                     Shared         Matrox Marvel G450 eTV - English
    IRQ 0B                     Shared         Initio Ultra SCSI Host Adapter
    IRQ 0C                     Undetermined   Microsoft PS/2 Mouse
    IRQ 0D                     Exclusive      Numeric data processor
    IRQ 0E                     Exclusive      Primary IDE Channel
    IRQ 0F                     Exclusive      Secondary IDE Channel

no cracks or pops.

edit: ok, this is what driver reports (iam running xp):
Driver Description   Creative SB Live! series(WDM)
Driver Date   2.11.2001
Driver Version   3509.2.0.0
Driver Provider   Creative
INF File   oem1.inf

Device Resources
IRQ   05
Port   E400-E41F

(cant remember why this is not a new version, but on xp i had to resolve the matrox-via-sblive problem)

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #8 – 2003-01-24 17:45:59

Quote

ok, so it is not a via mobo, i have kinda similar system:

IRQ 00 Exclusive System timer
IRQ 01 Undetermined PC/AT Enhanced PS/2 Keyboard (101/102-Key)
IRQ 03 Exclusive Communications Port (COM2)
IRQ 04 Exclusive Communications Port (COM1)
IRQ 05 Shared Creative SB Live! series(WDM)
IRQ 05 Shared VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller
IRQ 05 Shared VIA Rev 5 or later USB Universal Host Controller

no cracks or pops.

edit: ok, this is what driver reports (iam running xp):
Driver Description   Creative SB Live! series(WDM)
Driver Date   2.11.2001
Driver Version   3509.2.0.0
Driver Provider   Creative
INF File   oem1.inf

Device Resources
IRQ   05
Port   E400-E41F

(cant remember why this is not a new version, but on xp i had to resolve the matrox-via-sblive problem)

Thanks.. how can I force the SBLive IRQ down to 5 or even 11??

In looking at the date stamp on your SB driver.. it seems kinda' old. The latest drivers are dated mid-2002.

But if it ain't broke.. don't fix it!!

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #9 – 2003-01-24 17:54:03

Easiest solution: Get another audio card such as Hercules Fortissimo III 7.1...

That's the best advice I can give you. It'll save you from future headaches...

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #10 – 2003-01-24 19:55:35

Quote

I never heard about the Via latency patch mentioned in the previous post. I am going to try it, and maybe I can enable DMA again?

http://www.georgebreese.com/net/software/

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #11 – 2003-01-24 22:29:22

With all due respect, time to get a decent card. SBLive and VIA chipsets are a big no no. SBLive is very infamous for the synthoms you just described. It is a design issue of the card. Drivers attempt to alleviate this, but in the end, it plains suck. Blame Creative, for selling you lies with their strong marketing dept. Wake up people!.

Either that, or get an Intel motherboard. "Most" seem to work along with an SBLive...

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #12 – 2003-01-24 23:06:46

How about looking outside of the PC for instance:
- Is the speaker power cord being grounded.
- Are the speaker cables in good condition.
- Are the speaker cables loose.

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #13 – 2003-01-24 23:27:18

Quote

With all due respect, time to get a decent card. SBLive and VIA chipsets are a big no no. SBLive is very infamous for the synthoms you just described. It is a design issue of the card. Drivers attempt to alleviate this, but in the end, it plains suck. Blame Creative, for selling you lies with their strong marketing dept. Wake up people!. Either that, or get an Intel motherboard. "Most" seem to work along with an SBLive...

There is no offense taken in your reply.. in fact I was hoping someone would mention this.. about the Sound Blaster. What about `pulling' the SBLive [out] and enabling the integrated sound system as follows:

Audio controller 16-bit Plug and Play Crystal 3D CS4237B

The integrated Crystal 4237B controller is Sound Blaster Pro-compatible and supports the Windows Sound System. The 4237B controller has a Sound Retrieval System (SRS) 3D stereo digital signal processing (DSP) engine that retrieves and restores spacial sound information, directional cues, and other sonic nuances that are typically missing or are altered by electronic reproduction of stereo sound.

Wonder if there are Win2000 drivers for this? It is likely that Win2000 already has suitable drivers. Anyone familiar with this hardware??

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #14 – 2003-01-24 23:55:59

Have you already tried disabling hardware acceleration in display Properties, advanced and troubleshoot tab?

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #15 – 2003-01-25 01:58:31

Quote

There is no offense taken in your reply.. in fact I was hoping someone would mention this.. about the Sound Blaster. What about `pulling' the SBLive [out] and enabling the integrated sound system as follows:

<snip>

If you can figure out how to enable that, or if you can borrow someone else's soundcard (not an SBLive), that will help your troubleshooting efforts.

Once you've narrowed it down the problem to the SBLive, you can try more troubleshooting techniques: move the card to a different, non-shared PCI slot; change bus timings; or just take the card out of the computer for a month, let it sit and think about the trouble it's caused you, and then put it back in when it wants to behave again. Seriously, that worked once with my SBLive, it got rid of the crackling! B)

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #16 – 2003-01-27 08:50:02

i had similar problems with sblive+some via chipset
it was also an scsi system which never worked with that via chipset.

i couldn't find a solution. only had problems with that via stuff

now i have intel/intel again and i'm happy with it.

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #17 – 2003-01-29 13:12:15

Quote

If you can figure out how to enable that, or if you can borrow someone else's soundcard (not an SBLive), that will help your troubleshooting efforts.

Once you've narrowed it down the problem to the SBLive, you can try more troubleshooting techniques: move the card to a different, non-shared PCI slot; change bus timings; or just take the card out of the computer for a month, let it sit and think about the trouble it's caused you, and then put it back in when it wants to behave again. Seriously, that worked once with my SBLive, it got rid of the crackling!

The SBLive has been moved to the top PCI slot and is now on IRQ 16 with the graphics card. It was on IRQ 17 and 18 previously. All three of these interrupts are shared. IRQ 5 and IRQ 11 are `unused' and I'd like to force the SBLive to INT 5. How is one to know which PCI slots are shared or exclusive??

Also.. what utilities are available for tweaking `bus timing'??

It's a perplexing situation.. some days the sound is fine for hours.. but other days it `pops' and `snaps' such that enjoying any streaming music isn't possible. Have not been able to correlate what combination of factors caused discontinuous audio.

Will soon go to mainboard / integrated audio system experiment.. but will lose the gameport capability. Although there is no proof or docs .. I'll bet the following are reserved for integrated subsystems that are disabled:

IRQ 05 - Sound Blaster compatible system
IRQ 14 - Primary IDE channel
IRQ 15 - Secondary IDE channel

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #18 – 2003-01-29 13:32:55

Quote

How is one to know which PCI slots are shared or exclusive??

It's usually listed in the mainboard manual.

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #19 – 2003-01-29 13:39:44

Quote

Have you already tried disabling hardware acceleration in display Properties, advanced and troubleshoot tab?

Yes.. have ranged the `hardware acceleration' slider from Full to `No Accel' and even set DirectX Sound `debug output level' to minimum using MS DirectX utility.

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #20 – 2003-01-29 14:33:14

I think the problem is typical in XP (I guess 2000 also).
I have the same problem with an Intel BX + SBVibra16 ISA, and a lot of people with other combinations of soundcards and mainboards. The problem also arises in games: when "something" consumes all CPU (or PCI bus) process time for an instant, noises and slowdowns are noticeable in games.
When I have TV tuner and MP3 or WAVs at the same time the sound quality and image in TV is a bit poor (stripes in the tuner).

All these problems are never present in Windows 98, and like you, there are moments when the behaviour is better than other with no explanation.
I don't know how to solve them.

PS: I forgot it. The solution can be using a soundcard that doesn't have this problem, but you can't know which card until you try it.
The AC97 integrated sound in some Via mainboards, usually work fine.

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #21 – 2003-01-29 14:57:00

Quote

The AC97 integrated sound in some Via mainboards, usually work fine.

Not for me. Onboard AC'97 sound of my EpoX 8KTA2 MB had a lot of annoying "pops" Win 98 & 2K - finally I gave up trying to fix it and use a cheap0 crappy Terratec 128 now. Better background noise than pops.
Seems like others have problems with AC'97 sound too. Have a look at VIA's forum.

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #22 – 2003-01-29 15:28:25

Yes, but we're talking about different problems, I think.
The problem I have is only in WinXP. In Win98 the computer works perfectly.

In this forum there are a lot of threads with problems with that game that only appear in WinXP/2K (the game is a bit old) with some combinations of hardware. The problems I have with that game are the same I have when listening MP3 or WAV:
http://forum.racesimcentral.com/showthread...&threadid=34057

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #23 – 2003-01-29 16:58:59

Quote

Yes, but we're talking about different problems, I think.

I agree. But from the top of my head I'd say I've read some threads on VIA's forum with problems sounding very similar to yours. I just wanted to mention that there seem to be similar problems with AC'97 also. Anyway ... as you said, trying different soundcards is a good idea.

Still getting `pops' and `snaps' in Audio

Reply #24 – 2003-01-30 00:38:24

Quote

Need help resolving SNAPS and POPS in the SBLive audio system of a Win2K SCSI workstation. Have tried many approaches to remedy such as:
These pops, snaps and clicks come and go, but they are ruining the ability to evaluate, encode, and enjoy music. Please advise on new approach. SBLive may be the problem.. should it be deep-6'ed??

I'm having the same problem with a Gadget Labs WavePRO/424 (PCI) and (!) my Roland UA-30 (USB). Intermittent "snaps" at 0dB that ruin everything you're listening to and make you think you're damaging your speakers.

You seem to have tried the same things I have; right now I'm focusing more on the IRQs to see what I can do. The 424 isn't on a shared IRQ, but I get the feeling that Win2k doesn't handle IRQs properly and tries to share all of them unless you explicitly tell it not to. It certainly doesn't help that the 424 doesn't actually have a WDM driver, but rather a jury rig of the NT driver that requires Standard PC mode...

Some links I'm fiddling with now:

http://www.anandtech.com/guides/viewfaq.html?i=116

http://www.staudio.de/kb/english/2000xp/

http://www.win2ktech.com/faq/faqs4/multifaq.htm

Let me know how it goes and how you fix it!

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