[SOLVED] Audio Cracking and Popping. FIX: using audio jacks of the monitor (connected through DisplayPort to the graphics card)

B

Beardednoble

Member
Joined
Apr 22, 2020
Posts
13
Hey all!

So glad I found this website! Obviously from the title I am having major audio issues when my PC is doing any sort of thinking. If I'm just watching youtube or listening to spotify/pandora the sound seems fine, maybe a random crack or pop here or there. But when I start any game, I've been testing games on Steam and Epic Games Launcher, the sound cracking and popping is absolutely terrible.

I have searched high and low, tried all sorts of things I have found on the internet to fix this problem. I even had a local repair shop look at it, which was a bust, they said do a complete reset which didn't work. They also said buy a dedicated sound card to bypass my motherboard sound. That didn't work.

I believe all my drivers are up to date but I'm not completely sure.

I would say I'm pretty good with computers, but this issue is making me think otherwise lol.

Speccy Link: http://speccy.piriform.com/results/PyPksZIWMcIgTLKNFnHlULZ

I apparently can't attach the msinfo32 file. I also can't seem to get the trace program to work using the command prompt. I get xperf: error: NT Kernel Logger: Access is denied. (0x5).

Hopefully we can figure this out together. Please and thank you!
 

Attachments

My initial advice is:
1.
What security software are you using? Windows Security and Kaspersky Security Cloud(Free)
Click to expand...
The above is from your system specs.
Please be aware that you are actually provided with less protection by using that Kaspersky than you would be with Windows Defender.
Plus which Windows Defender IMHO has one very significant advantage - that is that Defender is 100% compatible with Windows 10 - 100% 0f the time.

2. You are using DriverEasy on a scheduled scan. I would advise that you are far better getting your drivers from Windows updates and if necessary from the manufacturer of the hardware in question, than relying on DriverEasy. I would say, IMHO that if you are going to use it then see what Driver Easy recommends, compare that with what you have using Device Manager, before you even consider allowing DriverEasy to install a driver. Personally I would not use DriverEasy on 10, but each to their own.

3. Your attachments show, as you may have noticed, a RADAR PRE_LEAK - that does not mean an actual physical memory problem. It in fact stands for
Windows Resource Exhaustion Detection and Resolution (RADAR) and indicates a resource that is not managing its memory very well, and could result in a shortage of available memory.
The report is on your DirectX Diagnostics
Windows Error Reporting:
+++ WER0 +++:
Fault bucket 1933413757611544745, type 5
Event Name: RADAR_PRE_LEAK_64
Response: Not available
Cab Id: 0
Problem signature:
P1: wpa.exe
P2: 10.0.18362.1
P3: 10.0.18363.2.0.0

4. Returning to the subject of your present AV Kaspersky
Here you can see the protection provided by the free edition
Best Free Cloud Antivirus Software 2020 for all Devices | Kaspersky
As I said less than with Defender

5. I recommend you uninstall Kaspersky, not because of the above, but because I think it MAY be the cause of your pops and crackles.
Follow this procedure carefully please.
A. Create a restore point.

B. IF you have a system image - update it. - this is only an extra precaution, but is if you have an image - always the best advice.

C. If the Kaspersky has a GUI - user interface - disable protection it or whatever option is shown to turn it off

D. Go settings - apps select entries for Kaspersky - one at a time and click uninstall - follow instructions to restart

E. If restart is not requested - do so anyway with a complete shutdown. That is a restart or
Step 1: Open Start menu, select Power button.
Step 2: Press and hold the Shift key on keyboard, while clicking on Shut down, and then release the Shift key to perform a full shutdown.
That is also as you can see a complete shutdown.
RESTART is as I said a complete shutdown and that is why it is used on Windows updates.
On 10 the normal shutdown is not a complete shutdown -

F. On restart test the audio.

G. Also check that Windows defender is now enabled and the AV in use and that Windows Firewall is now shown NOT the Kaspersky Firewall

H. You may do this in Settings - Update and security - Windows security on left pane - you should then on main pane see green ticks.

6. Please report the results.

7. IF YOU RECEIVE notification that Kaspersky is not uninstalled by way of message regarding Defender in notifications area OR by lack of green ticks as described in settings above, then it may be necessary to run the Kaspersky uninstall tool
https://support.kaspersky.com/common/uninstall/1464#block5

HOWEVER if you are in any doubt, about your ability to recover should something go wrong, with the system after the uninstall tool, please POST before using it.
 
Thank you for responding Macboatmaster!

I have removed DriverEasy and all Kaspersky products from my PC. Windows defender is now enabled.

My sound is still cracking and popping like crazy.

I await your next instructions!
 
1. Please accept my apologies for not replying sooner, for some reason I did not receive a notification of your reply.

2. I think the next step is to try - if you have not already, now that we have eliminated the possibility of it being related to the uninstalled Driver Easy or Kaspersky, is to try without the Sound Blaster connected

Sound Cards
Sound Blaster Z
Realtek High Definition Audio
NVIDIA High Definition Audio

Playback Devices
Speakers (Sound Blaster Z): (default)
SPDIF-Out (Sound Blaster Z)

Recording Devices
Digital-In (Sound Blaster Z): (default)
What U Hear (Sound Blaster Z)

Speaker Configuration
Speaker type:Stereo

3. So use the Realtek as the playback device connecting to the speakers on the I/O port rather than to the sound card.
Please try that.
I know it popped and crackled before and that is why you installed the Soundblaster, but please try again now.

4. Also the driver for the soundblaster is
Type: WDM
Driver Name: cthda.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0102.0056 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 8/13/2019 12:00:00 AM, 1075600 bytes

5. IF you still have the pops and crackles with the Realtek I recommend you try this driver
Creative Worldwide Support
PLEASE CHECK before downloading and installing that I have the correct one for your SoundBlaster Z it shows the models it is for on the link.

6. IF THAT one on the link above is not match please go in from here
Driver Reference Table (DRT) | cthda.sys
and select as appropriate from there.

7. ONCE again my sincere apologies for missing your reply.
 
I appreciate the reply! No worries about the time frame, I'm just glad you are willing to help me out.

So I switched back over to Realtek Audio, and I noticed it was quite a bit better. The popping and cracking is still there, but better when I'm using the Realtek.

I did uninstall and reinstall the latest driver for Sound Blaster Z, which seems to have done nothing.

I did the same with the Realtek driver, uninstalled/reinstalled. It is still popping and cracking.

Should I completely remove the Sound Blaster Z card? And software/drivers? And just focus on using Realtek?


Thanks again for the help!
 
1.
Beardednoble said:
Should I completely remove the Sound Blaster Z card? And software/drivers? And just focus on using Realtek?
Click to expand...

2. No, I do not think that is necessary at this stage, as if it is not connected it is not in use, and pops and crackles on the integrated realtek cannot be due to the soundblaster

3. How is the 970 graphics connected to the monitor please
There are
Outputs
1x DVI
1x HDMI
3x DisplayPort
and does the monitor Standard Monitor (1680x1050@59Hz) have included sound eg built in speakers

4. Open a cmd prompt, with admin rights, that is type cmd, in search on taskbar
when it appears above right click and click run as admin
The at the cmd prompt type
sfc /scannow
If it reports all in order or errors were found and all fixed - that is good.

5. If it reports errors were found and could not be fixed
then shut the cmd window.
Restart -on windows icon left of taskbar - right click - hold mouse on shutdown/sign out and then click restart
That is important as shutdown is not a complete shutdown, whereas restart is
Go back to the admin cmd prompt and this time copy and paste this cmd

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

copying and pasting will ensure you get the spaicing correct.

6. Close the browser window and any other open apps, except the cmd window before you press enter.
You must be connected to the internet to run that cmd effectively, as it uses Microsoft servers if necessary to download files to your computer
Such as updates etc, or files necessary for repair of the system files.

7. I DO NOT at this stage need any log from those runs, simply the results. eg. All in order, no errors etc.

IF there are errors that could not be fixed, post please BEFORE proceeding
IF ERRORS were found and fixed.
RESTART and check pops and crackles.

IF they still exist, please proceed as below.


8. Please download this and lets see if it gives further clues
LatencyMon Home edition - scroll down the page for the download tab for it
Resplendence Software - Free Downloads

Here is the user guide
Resplendence Software - LatencyMon: real-time audio suitability checker
if you wish examine the results yourself, to see if you notice what appears to be causing the latency.

ANY QUESTIONS at any stage please ask.
 
My graphics card is connected through DVI. My monitors do not have speakers.

After running the scan in the command prompt I got no errors.

Beginning system scan. This process will take some time.
Beginning verification phase of system scan.
Verification 100% complete.
Windows Resource Protection did not find any integrity violations.

My report from LatencyMon:

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONCLUSION
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Your system appears to be having trouble handling real-time audio and other tasks. You are likely to experience buffer underruns appearing as drop outs, clicks or pops. One or more DPC routines that belong to a driver running in your system appear to be executing for too long. One problem may be related to power management, disable CPU throttling settings in Control Panel and BIOS setup. Check for BIOS updates.
LatencyMon has been analyzing your system for 0:04:52 (h:mm:ss) on all processors.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SYSTEM INFORMATION
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Computer name: DESKTOP-8PEMHPQ
OS version: Windows 10 , 10.0, build: 18363 (x64)
Hardware: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC., Z170-A
CPU: GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700K CPU @ 4.00GHz
Logical processors: 8
Processor groups: 1
RAM: 16322 MB total


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU SPEED
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reported CPU speed: 4008 MHz

Note: reported execution times may be calculated based on a fixed reported CPU speed. Disable variable speed settings like Intel Speed Step and AMD Cool N Quiet in the BIOS setup for more accurate results.

WARNING: the CPU speed that was measured is only a fraction of the CPU speed reported. Your CPUs may be throttled back due to variable speed settings and thermal issues. It is suggested that you run a utility which reports your actual CPU frequency and temperature.



_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MEASURED INTERRUPT TO USER PROCESS LATENCIES
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The interrupt to process latency reflects the measured interval that a usermode process needed to respond to a hardware request from the moment the interrupt service routine started execution. This includes the scheduling and execution of a DPC routine, the signaling of an event and the waking up of a usermode thread from an idle wait state in response to that event.

Highest measured interrupt to process latency (µs): 517.80
Average measured interrupt to process latency (µs): 3.324650

Highest measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs): 492.0
Average measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs): 1.055375


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REPORTED ISRs
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Interrupt service routines are routines installed by the OS and device drivers that execute in response to a hardware interrupt signal.

Highest ISR routine execution time (µs): 141.045160
Driver with highest ISR routine execution time: Wdf01000.sys - Kernel Mode Driver Framework Runtime, Microsoft Corporation

Highest reported total ISR routine time (%): 0.003120
Driver with highest ISR total time: Wdf01000.sys - Kernel Mode Driver Framework Runtime, Microsoft Corporation

Total time spent in ISRs (%) 0.003120

ISR count (execution time <250 µs): 52237
ISR count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 500-999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REPORTED DPCs
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DPC routines are part of the interrupt servicing dispatch mechanism and disable the possibility for a process to utilize the CPU while it is interrupted until the DPC has finished execution.

Highest DPC routine execution time (µs): 3564.143463
Driver with highest DPC routine execution time: dxgkrnl.sys - DirectX Graphics Kernel, Microsoft Corporation

Highest reported total DPC routine time (%): 0.060828
Driver with highest DPC total execution time: Wdf01000.sys - Kernel Mode Driver Framework Runtime, Microsoft Corporation

Total time spent in DPCs (%) 0.211476

DPC count (execution time <250 µs): 929280
DPC count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time 500-999 µs): 171
DPC count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 4
DPC count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 15
DPC count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REPORTED HARD PAGEFAULTS
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hard pagefaults are events that get triggered by making use of virtual memory that is not resident in RAM but backed by a memory mapped file on disk. The process of resolving the hard pagefault requires reading in the memory from disk while the process is interrupted and blocked from execution.

NOTE: some processes were hit by hard pagefaults. If these were programs producing audio, they are likely to interrupt the audio stream resulting in dropouts, clicks and pops. Check the Processes tab to see which programs were hit.

Process with highest pagefault count: epicgameslauncher.exe

Total number of hard pagefaults 11612
Hard pagefault count of hardest hit process: 4726
Number of processes hit: 42


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PER CPU DATA
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 0 Interrupt cycle time (s): 13.914348
CPU 0 ISR highest execution time (µs): 100.562874
CPU 0 ISR total execution time (s): 0.069032
CPU 0 ISR count: 49230
CPU 0 DPC highest execution time (µs): 3564.143463
CPU 0 DPC total execution time (s): 4.179810
CPU 0 DPC count: 830000
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 1 Interrupt cycle time (s): 6.476073
CPU 1 ISR highest execution time (µs): 141.045160
CPU 1 ISR total execution time (s): 0.002553
CPU 1 ISR count: 2080
CPU 1 DPC highest execution time (µs): 2803.395958
CPU 1 DPC total execution time (s): 0.394069
CPU 1 DPC count: 45833
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 2 Interrupt cycle time (s): 5.857527
CPU 2 ISR highest execution time (µs): 70.160679
CPU 2 ISR total execution time (s): 0.001195
CPU 2 ISR count: 842
CPU 2 DPC highest execution time (µs): 1835.584331
CPU 2 DPC total execution time (s): 0.225055
CPU 2 DPC count: 27024
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 3 Interrupt cycle time (s): 6.467814
CPU 3 ISR highest execution time (µs): 1.931138
CPU 3 ISR total execution time (s): 0.000102
CPU 3 ISR count: 85
CPU 3 DPC highest execution time (µs): 1578.939371
CPU 3 DPC total execution time (s): 0.028183
CPU 3 DPC count: 5054
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 4 Interrupt cycle time (s): 4.598939
CPU 4 ISR highest execution time (µs): 0.0
CPU 4 ISR total execution time (s): 0.0
CPU 4 ISR count: 0
CPU 4 DPC highest execution time (µs): 259.116517
CPU 4 DPC total execution time (s): 0.040449
CPU 4 DPC count: 8011
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 5 Interrupt cycle time (s): 5.584708
CPU 5 ISR highest execution time (µs): 0.0
CPU 5 ISR total execution time (s): 0.0
CPU 5 ISR count: 0
CPU 5 DPC highest execution time (µs): 129.352046
CPU 5 DPC total execution time (s): 0.010972
CPU 5 DPC count: 2258
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 6 Interrupt cycle time (s): 4.614436
CPU 6 ISR highest execution time (µs): 0.0
CPU 6 ISR total execution time (s): 0.0
CPU 6 ISR count: 0
CPU 6 DPC highest execution time (µs): 229.928643
CPU 6 DPC total execution time (s): 0.046789
CPU 6 DPC count: 8706
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 7 Interrupt cycle time (s): 5.699061
CPU 7 ISR highest execution time (µs): 0.0
CPU 7 ISR total execution time (s): 0.0
CPU 7 ISR count: 0
CPU 7 DPC highest execution time (µs): 2333.311627
CPU 7 DPC total execution time (s): 0.014751
CPU 7 DPC count: 2584
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Hello

1. Try this please
settings on right of notifications area
system on window that opens,. top left
power and sleep on left pane when you click system above
on main pane
if slider is not to right for best performance move it to the far right please
the slider is under the heading - performance and energy.
Close the settings window
RESTART
as previously mentioned

Restart -on windows icon left of taskbar - right click - hold mouse on shutdown/sign out and then click restart
That is important as shutdown is not a complete shutdown, whereas restart is
Click to expand...
and check please for pops and crackles.

2. IF that does not have any improvement

3. go back to the settings page where the slider was and this time on the right click - additional power settings
on the window that opens, you will see that you are on high performance plan
click on change plan settings
then click change advanced power settings

On the window that opens scroll down to processor power management
expand the entry by clicking the + sign
and check what minimum processor state is
IF it is low down move it to 80
you do that by clicking on the setting percentage

4. Now click system cooling policy and make sure it is set active

5. Now click the + sign on max processor state and set that at 100%

6. Close the open windows clicking apply and OK and save chnages as necessary.

7. RESTART and test please.

8. PLEASE NOTE
I am not back online until approx 1800 hrs tomorrow -Monday
 
Hello again!

I did what you laid out. It did not seem to work. I ran LatencyMon again, wasn't sure if you needed an updated report.

Thanks for working through this with me!

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONCLUSION
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Your system appears to be having trouble handling real-time audio and other tasks. You are likely to experience buffer underruns appearing as drop outs, clicks or pops. One or more DPC routines that belong to a driver running in your system appear to be executing for too long. At least one detected problem appears to be network related. In case you are using a WLAN adapter, try disabling it to get better results. One problem may be related to power management, disable CPU throttling settings in Control Panel and BIOS setup. Check for BIOS updates.
LatencyMon has been analyzing your system for 0:03:04 (h:mm:ss) on all processors.


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SYSTEM INFORMATION
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Computer name: DESKTOP-8PEMHPQ
OS version: Windows 10 , 10.0, build: 18363 (x64)
Hardware: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC., Z170-A
CPU: GenuineIntel Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-6700K CPU @ 4.00GHz
Logical processors: 8
Processor groups: 1
RAM: 16322 MB total


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU SPEED
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Reported CPU speed: 4008 MHz

Note: reported execution times may be calculated based on a fixed reported CPU speed. Disable variable speed settings like Intel Speed Step and AMD Cool N Quiet in the BIOS setup for more accurate results.

WARNING: the CPU speed that was measured is only a fraction of the CPU speed reported. Your CPUs may be throttled back due to variable speed settings and thermal issues. It is suggested that you run a utility which reports your actual CPU frequency and temperature.



_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MEASURED INTERRUPT TO USER PROCESS LATENCIES
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The interrupt to process latency reflects the measured interval that a usermode process needed to respond to a hardware request from the moment the interrupt service routine started execution. This includes the scheduling and execution of a DPC routine, the signaling of an event and the waking up of a usermode thread from an idle wait state in response to that event.

Highest measured interrupt to process latency (µs): 3073.40
Average measured interrupt to process latency (µs): 3.617392

Highest measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs): 3068.0
Average measured interrupt to DPC latency (µs): 1.149028


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REPORTED ISRs
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Interrupt service routines are routines installed by the OS and device drivers that execute in response to a hardware interrupt signal.

Highest ISR routine execution time (µs): 70.151697
Driver with highest ISR routine execution time: Wdf01000.sys - Kernel Mode Driver Framework Runtime, Microsoft Corporation

Highest reported total ISR routine time (%): 0.002865
Driver with highest ISR total time: Wdf01000.sys - Kernel Mode Driver Framework Runtime, Microsoft Corporation

Total time spent in ISRs (%) 0.002865

ISR count (execution time <250 µs): 35659
ISR count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 500-999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 0
ISR count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REPORTED DPCs
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DPC routines are part of the interrupt servicing dispatch mechanism and disable the possibility for a process to utilize the CPU while it is interrupted until the DPC has finished execution.

Highest DPC routine execution time (µs): 2345.321607
Driver with highest DPC routine execution time: ndis.sys - Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS), Microsoft Corporation

Highest reported total DPC routine time (%): 0.059569
Driver with highest DPC total execution time: dxgkrnl.sys - DirectX Graphics Kernel, Microsoft Corporation

Total time spent in DPCs (%) 0.215803

DPC count (execution time <250 µs): 684948
DPC count (execution time 250-500 µs): 0
DPC count (execution time 500-999 µs): 34
DPC count (execution time 1000-1999 µs): 3
DPC count (execution time 2000-3999 µs): 3
DPC count (execution time >=4000 µs): 0


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REPORTED HARD PAGEFAULTS
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Hard pagefaults are events that get triggered by making use of virtual memory that is not resident in RAM but backed by a memory mapped file on disk. The process of resolving the hard pagefault requires reading in the memory from disk while the process is interrupted and blocked from execution.

NOTE: some processes were hit by hard pagefaults. If these were programs producing audio, they are likely to interrupt the audio stream resulting in dropouts, clicks and pops. Check the Processes tab to see which programs were hit.

Process with highest pagefault count: dwm.exe

Total number of hard pagefaults 157
Hard pagefault count of hardest hit process: 50
Number of processes hit: 13


_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PER CPU DATA
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 0 Interrupt cycle time (s): 9.307704
CPU 0 ISR highest execution time (µs): 70.151697
CPU 0 ISR total execution time (s): 0.038964
CPU 0 ISR count: 32900
CPU 0 DPC highest execution time (µs): 1895.575349
CPU 0 DPC total execution time (s): 2.977720
CPU 0 DPC count: 655852
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 1 Interrupt cycle time (s): 3.349317
CPU 1 ISR highest execution time (µs): 37.628493
CPU 1 ISR total execution time (s): 0.003248
CPU 1 ISR count: 2759
CPU 1 DPC highest execution time (µs): 2226.555140
CPU 1 DPC total execution time (s): 0.109419
CPU 1 DPC count: 7044
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 2 Interrupt cycle time (s): 3.763938
CPU 2 ISR highest execution time (µs): 0.0
CPU 2 ISR total execution time (s): 0.0
CPU 2 ISR count: 0
CPU 2 DPC highest execution time (µs): 2345.321607
CPU 2 DPC total execution time (s): 0.062638
CPU 2 DPC count: 14199
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 3 Interrupt cycle time (s): 3.354964
CPU 3 ISR highest execution time (µs): 0.0
CPU 3 ISR total execution time (s): 0.0
CPU 3 ISR count: 0
CPU 3 DPC highest execution time (µs): 44.669411
CPU 3 DPC total execution time (s): 0.004278
CPU 3 DPC count: 1323
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 4 Interrupt cycle time (s): 2.637336
CPU 4 ISR highest execution time (µs): 0.0
CPU 4 ISR total execution time (s): 0.0
CPU 4 ISR count: 0
CPU 4 DPC highest execution time (µs): 75.590569
CPU 4 DPC total execution time (s): 0.010316
CPU 4 DPC count: 2508
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 5 Interrupt cycle time (s): 3.129847
CPU 5 ISR highest execution time (µs): 0.0
CPU 5 ISR total execution time (s): 0.0
CPU 5 ISR count: 0
CPU 5 DPC highest execution time (µs): 40.840319
CPU 5 DPC total execution time (s): 0.002695
CPU 5 DPC count: 898
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 6 Interrupt cycle time (s): 2.856829
CPU 6 ISR highest execution time (µs): 0.0
CPU 6 ISR total execution time (s): 0.0
CPU 6 ISR count: 0
CPU 6 DPC highest execution time (µs): 84.514471
CPU 6 DPC total execution time (s): 0.007168
CPU 6 DPC count: 1807
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CPU 7 Interrupt cycle time (s): 3.421179
CPU 7 ISR highest execution time (µs): 0.0
CPU 7 ISR total execution time (s): 0.0
CPU 7 ISR count: 0
CPU 7 DPC highest execution time (µs): 69.995010
CPU 7 DPC total execution time (s): 0.005336
CPU 7 DPC count: 1357
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Thanks for the new logs
Please try this
Go settings, system on next window usually top right, then sound on left of window
On the screen that opens click sound control panel on right
You are then on the window on my screenshot
Disable all except speakers
to disable an entry you right click it and then click disable
You should then have speakers as enabled and the default device
to make it the default device select it and click set default

You may need to click Recording tab and check for your device there which on the original speccy was soundblaster, but you have disconnected that.
If you do not have another recording device then for the purposes of the test disable those.

Then retest please




Untitled.png
 
Last edited:
Alright with Speakers as the only thing enabled and set to Default Device. We are still getting cracks and pops.

I'll be back tomorrow after work.

As always, I appreciate the help!
 
The setting of the CPU power, the best performance slider and the system scan and then the isolation of the only active playback device has solved the problem for many people. However as in your case those measures have not been successful, except for some slight improvment
Please open control panel -
sound when that opens
select your speakers and then click properties
when that window opens click the properties button by the entry near the top of the window for Realtek
then click the driver tab on the window that opens
you will see
Driver Provider
Driver date
Driver Version

Please tell me what it says

As you will have gathered, from your experience at the local repair shop and now your topic here, these issues are not always easy to sort out.
I will stay with you, until either I surrender or we sort it. However long it takes, that is always the policy I work on. Thanks for being so good to work with, to date and thanks for your expressed appreication.
 
Yeah, I hear ya! This is some deep troubleshooting. I'm usually pretty handy at solving my own PC problems but this is just on a whole different level.

Driver Provider: Realtek Semiconductor Corp.
Driver Date: 6/14/2017
Driver Verson: 6.0.1.8186
 
You have on that motherboard this Realtek audio chip
Realtek® ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 3
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel MIC Jack-retasking

On your motherboard site the driver is
Z170-A Driver & Tools | Motherboards | ASUS Global

Version 6.0.1.8158 2017/06/07
470.06 MBytes
Realtek Audio Driver
Realtek Audio Driver V6.0.1.8158 for Windows 7 64-bit, Windows 10 64-bit.

Drivers found by DriverEasy OR from some other website are not always the correct driver for your audio chip on that board.

I recommend you download that file to your desktop. SAVE IT to there.
DO NOT run the installer

Go to device manager and uninstall the driver/device for the Realtek High Definition audio. - under Audio Inputs and Outputs and Sound Video and Game Controllers

Restart the computer and open the downloaded file from your motherboard site
extract it by right click extract all to the same location and then on the extracted one click Asus setup.
 
Okay, completed the task. The Realtek driver from the motherboard website is installed. The sound issues still occur.

Should I use all the drivers from the motherboard website? For other devices also? I was just looking to see if they match up and I think quite a few are different, but I'm also not confident that I am looking at the same device or correct device.
 
Beardednoble said:
The sound issues still occur.
Click to expand...

Is there any noticeable difference please - worse, slightly better or simply the same.

Most of the details on this link - we have done
You are now only looking for the Realtek audio manager aspect
To save me a lot of typing would you kindly go to the link and go through to the audio manager

How to Fix Realtek HD Audio Manager Missing in Windows 10

then please opening the manager and going to the image on the link for the window of the audio manager follow the recommendations to try various settings and particularly noticing the top right of the image device advanced settings
 
I am signing off for tonight
If the audio manager facilities do not bring about any improvements the
From your motherboard details

light blue = side speaker
lime= front speaker out
orange = centre/subwoofer
black = rear speaker out
and of course pink is Microphone
Your audio is
Realtek® ALC892 8-Channel High Definition Audio CODEC featuring Crystal Sound 3
- Supports : Jack-detection, Multi-streaming, Front Panel MIC Jack-retasking
Click to expand...

JUST in case it is a port fault, showing itself under load, try using an alternative port as above, so presumably you have the speakers in black rear out
Try another as above.

If that still does not work please go back to Sound and then the speakers on the Realtek audio
then properties button
then on advanced tab - select a different sound quality - eg if it is on studio - try a lesser quality please
TEST PLEASE before changing the next setting

Enhancements tab
Click to disable all sound effects
that is the small check box, above the separate listings to enable.

Please remember to click apply and OK as required
TEST again please
restart may be necessary

IF STILL NO GOOD
go back to advanced tab and below where you chainged the quality of the audio output
UNCHECK - allow applications to take exclusive control - if of course checked.
Apply and Ok again please

That will do for now , as I am signing off.
IF it works I will be very pleased for you.

IF it does not, we will have to try a different approach.
GOODNIGHT
 
Okay so originally when I installed the driver from my motherboard site the sound issues were I'd say the same.

I followed the directions from the link, but had trouble when I was suppose to get the audio manager to the desktop then to the taskbar. Once I got to that point, the icon on my desktop or taskbar, when clicked on, did nothing. Even if I tried to run it as admin.

Now for trying different ports. I'm currently using my headset which is working because I've tested it on other devices. The only ports I can get any sound out of is the lime green(front speaker out) on the back, or my green headphone jack on the front of my case. I can't seem to get anything out of the other ports, Realtek doesn't recognize that I'm putting a jack into them. Both of the ports that work are still making the cracking and popping problem.

As for the last few options, sadly, nothing seems to have helped. Sound issues are still the same.

So currently I have the slightly older Realtek driver from the Link you had me complete installed.

Goodnight. Here's hoping to find an answer in another direction.
 
Beardednoble said:
Now for trying different ports. I'm currently using my headset
Click to expand...

Do you have speakers - I have referred to speakers throughout and I may be wrong but I do think I have seen mention of headset before on the topic.

Pops and crackles through headsets, is NOT always the same cause as pops and crackles through speakers.
On headsets it can be caused by nothing more than sound quality settings

That is my fault for not clarifying that you were using speakers

As you cannot get Realtek audio manager to load which is somewhat of a common problem on 10
you can still follow, the recommendations in my last post, by configuring them in the sound from Control Panel
 
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