Sound problems

[Poonutz]

For some odd reason lately, I've been getting this popping, static sound ever once in a while in FS2002. The simulator had been fine for a very long time without any problems then out of the blue this is starting. Now I do get popping and stuttering when I'm flying through dense clouds, but I've had that problem for as long as I've been using the sim, but now this new popping is starting even when I'm flying in clear weather. The only thing I've changed lately is added some Project AI aircraft. But I doubt that would cause this. Any ideas?

Robert

Intel Celeron 1.1 GHZ
512 MB RAM
GeForce4 ti4200 graphics card
SoundBlaster 16 PCI sound card

[FatTulip]

You do not say which version of Windows you are using, but in the DOS family - 95/98/Me - the number of interrupts (IRQs) available for added hardware is limited.

In English, this means that all your hardware queues up and waits longer for it's turn to do things. With a Soundblaster PCI (which is still a very good card), this phenomena can occur.

Check in Start/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/SystemInfo for any SHARED IRQs, you may find your SBPCI is sharing with your USB or AGP which are the worst ones it can share with.

You can re-assign it via the BIOS or force it in Windows. Whatever you do though, make a note of any original settings before you change them.

[Poonutz]

I'm using Windows XP Home. I'll give what you suggested a shot. By the way, how do I access BIOS. I've been trying to figure that out for some time now.

Robert

[Poonutz]

Okay, I looked at what you mentioned and it says:

IRQ 19 - Creative SoundBlaster AudioPCI (WDM)
IRQ 19 - Intel(r)82801BA/BAM USB Universal Host Controller 2442

[DemolitionMan]

You seem to have found your problem,the soundcard is sharing an IRQ with the host controller.Swop your sound card out to another PCI slot,if possible NOT the one next to the AGP slot,and NOT the last one(Nr.5 counting from the AGP slot if you have 5 PCI slots,otherwise Nr.6.Try slot 3 or 4.The reason is,Nr.1 and Nr.5 (6)often share an IRQ with the AGP slot,avoid filling these slots with components that use a lot of rescorces.And when you're in BIOS,check that the onboard sound is set to disable,if it's enabled it'll also cause a conflict with your card.When you've changed it all around,re-install the soundcard drivers and then the chipset and mobo drivers etc.Then select dxdiag and check if everything is OK,including setting the sound hardware acceleration to normal instead of maximum.Then you should be good to go.Hope this helps,
Best,
Grahame (EDHL)

XP Pro
Albatron KX18D Pro2
XP 2700
1Gb Infinion PC2700
Asus FX5600 128mb
WD 60GB 7200
Samsung 80GB 7200
SB Audigy 2
Chieftech case
Antec True Power 480W PSU
Titan+Pabst cooling

[FatTulip]

I can't improve on Demolition Man's post here!!!

To get into the BIOS, it's usually a case of holding down DELETE [NOT BACKSPACE] at the first screen on a cold boot.

A word of warning - only change one BIOS setting at a time, then SAVE and EXIT. Let windows run to check you've not put a rocket up it's #####, then go back and repeat until everything's back to notmal.

Your PCI slots will probably be numbered on the Motherboard, and these numbers refer to the PCI slot numbers in the BIOS setting.

Onboard sound is usually referred to as AC97 Audio. If it is enabled, XP will have installed drivers for it so you'll have to uninstall them via Control Panel (After you've disabled it or they just come back).

[Poonutz]

Thanks for your input, guys. I had no clue about putting the card in another slot. I'll give this a shot.

Robert

[mattius]

I get exactly the same problem as Poonutz. My system is as follows:

MSI KT4 Ultra MB
Athlon 1.4ghz
768mb RAM
G4ti4200 128mb
Win XP Home


I have a C-Media onboard Sound, CMI8738, which shares IRQ 16 with my AGP Graphics card. I definately don't want to re-install Win XP! How do I change either of these? I obviously cant move the cards around as I only have 1 AGP slot & the sound is onboard. I seem to have the following spare IRQ's -2,3,4,5,7,10,11,12,19 & 20.

Any help would be mucho appeciated

[Poonutz]

Alright, this has seemed to fixed my problem. I switched the card to another slot and have it using IRQ 18 all by itself. I have the USB Host Controller sharing IRQ 19 with my modem. I've flown in dense clouds and I don't even get the "normal" popping that I used to get. I've only done one flight since the change, but it looks like it's fixed. I really appreciate the help.

Robert