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Gear / Technical Help => Post-Processing, Computer / Streaming / Internet Devices & Related Activity => Topic started by: plucks on October 21, 2009, 06:05:05 PM

Title: Computer output click/skip root cause?
Post by: plucks on October 21, 2009, 06:05:05 PM

I recently had some computer troubles...got things back to normal - mostly. However, since then on any playback i get the skips/clicks/pops.   I don't have a fancy playback system with an external DAC...just some solid computer speakers/sub that plug into the back of the desktop. 
I thought it might have been the basic audio driver, so i uninstalled, reinstalled...nope
Thought maybe it's the speakers somehow shorted, so i tried the headphone jack...still clicks/pops.

How can you tell if your audio card is actually creating this issue as opposed to the software that sometimes seems off since my computer crashed?

Title: Re: Computer output click/skip root cause?
Post by: Fatah Ruark (aka MIKE B) on October 21, 2009, 07:50:59 PM

Try some other audio playback software.

Also, Uninstall and reinstall the software.

Maybe UPDATE the driver to the latest version.

Check to see if the CPU is being used up by some process via the Task Manager (CTRL+SHIFT+ESC).

Just a few ideas. Hopefully one (or a combo) of them works.

Title: Re: Computer output click/skip root cause?
Post by: Brian Skalinder on October 21, 2009, 10:25:19 PM

Try increasing the latency of your audio card?

Title: Re: Computer output click/skip root cause?
Post by: plucks on October 22, 2009, 03:38:56 PM

I have tried playback, WaveLab, iTunes, Winamp.  I'll try uninstall/reinstall...
Did the uninstall of driver>update
Nothing running in background.
I'll research the latency.

I find it odd that since my computer crashed this seems to be a result. 
Or could it be that when the power cable for the speakers broke apart it shorted the audio card?

Title: Re: Computer output click/skip root cause?
Post by: plucks on October 22, 2009, 03:46:20 PM

In researching a bit more, found this nifty write up compliments of M-Audio:

IRQ Troubleshooting (XP/Vista)
IRQ conflicts can cause a variety of problems such as pops, clicks, crackles, dropoupts, or distoration in the audio; problems with device installation and recognition; and causing a device to stop functioning after a period of use.  This article explains in detail, IRQ function and how it relates to your M-Audio device, and offers troubleshooting tips for overcoming IRQ conflicts.
http://www.m-audio.com/index.php?do=support.faq&ID=80d7b56e35ea51e73104295aec1f755b

Title: Re: Computer output click/skip root cause?
Post by: live2496 on October 22, 2009, 05:08:11 PM

Check to see that your drive has not switched to PIO (programmed I/O) mode instead of DMA mode.

see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/817472

It's one of the possibilities. If your drive access is slower then maybe it is the reason for the clicks and pops.