Computer audio making strange popping noise

[Tyeal]

So, as I'm posting this, my computer is making a bizarre popping sound, like a metal bubble bursting. This started less than a day, maybe 2, ago and I can't figure out what's causing it. When I mute the audio it goes away, and comes back when I un-mute it. It's just constant enough to be really annoying.

Ask me any extra info you might need to help narrow this problem; I'll happily provide. Thanks!

 

[tigsounds]

Metal popping, or Chips frying??


It has to have a source from somewhere (yea, I know, that's obvious).

If the mic input is enabled and there is no mic connected, the inputs could be floating causing the noise, or it could be something else.

Check the mic is not enabled:

Double-click sound icon in system tray,
Is the mic volume slider visible? If it is...

Click "Options" then "Properties"
It will show 'Adjust volume for' and 'Playback' will be selected.
Scroll down the list and find "Mic Volume" and uncheck it.
Click your way out by clicking OK to everything.

Noise gone? Yes=best answer No=continue...

Go back to the mixer again (dbl-click speaker icon)

Click Options again, Properties again,

This time click the drop-down box at the top (Mixer Device) and see if there is an input device present, if so, select it.

This new box will show 'Adjust volume for' and 'Recording' will be selected.
See if anything is checked that you are not actively using. Here's the catch, Something must be checked or the "Ok" will disappear, so have one item checked that is not suspected of being your source of noise, like 'Recording Control' because it can be muted in the volume control box that will appear as soon as you click Ok.

While you are there... If you saw a digital input possibility in the list of input devices and you are not using an outside digital input device, you can un-check any devices that show there (SPDIF).

If you unchecked 'mic' or 'line in' or anything else but left one un-suspected item checked and clicked Ok, is the noise gone?

If yes then life is good, if no, then something is getting into your audio buffer or your sound chip is about to loose it's smoke (everything electronic runs on internal smoke, if you let the smoke out, the device will quit working).

Last but not least, update/re-install the sound driver.

 

[Tyeal]

Well, there was a guide I had looked at online that walked me though how to remove the current drivers I had and start from scratch. This was a bad move, in hindsight.

I cannot, for the life of me, find the correct drivers. I'm using an HP Small Form Factor dc7600 PC and it has an integrated sound card. Whatever the reason is, I just can't seem to find the right drivers; Looks like, according to my device manager, I'm missing 4.

I did follow all the steps you had listed, and sadly, the problem had persisted.

 

[tigsounds]

If you look up the PCI Hardware ID numbers you can the go HERE and look up the actual manufacturer and see if other drivers are available.

To look up and use those numbers, see re-cycled sample...

 

[Tyeal]

That worked out great! Got the info, and punched it in.

At last! Sound!! Thanks SO much my man!

 

[tigsounds]

I guess should have said this first, except you had drivers... just not good ones.
Glad it works right now. Enjoy