Sound Problem. Motherboard? Power?

[Mistersprinkles]

Im having this really bizzare problem.

It is a long explanation so I hope people will be patient and read it.
:)

I have a self built P4 Socket 478 3.2Ghz fan cooled on an ASUS P4P800 motherboard 1024MB of RAM ATI AIW 9600 ANTEC Sonata (original) case 380W Antec power supply. The RAM is 2 sticks that came with a DELL I had and they are some brand I've never heard of.. and the other 2 sticks are Kingston. It is PC3200DDR if I recall correctly.

I was running fine with my old SB LIVE and SB AUDIGY 2 for 3 years in this system. Then I tried an Auzentech Meridian sound card. I had this horrible cracking on the sound like pop rocks. So I removed it, put back my Audigy 2 I had, and it sounded fine again.

One year later, I decide to try an Auzentech X Plosion card. Same problem as the Meridian. But when I go to put the SoundBlaster in- now IT also has the same problem and I tried with a DIFFERENT SB audigy 2 card and it STILL does it. Even the built in AC97 audio on my motherboard does it!

What could be causing noise on every single sound source I've tried??

Obviously this is a problem elsewhere than the audio cards. I live in an old house. I wonder if maybe the wiring is poor. I have the PC plugged into an APC surge arrest wall. The room I am in is on one circuit and this also runs 400W speakers, a fish tank, and an air conditioner... so its pretty loaded.

I always end up getting a high IRQ assigned to sound cards on this system for some reason usually between 19 and 23. It never reports a conflict though. WIN XP PRO SP1...

Can anyone help me?

Thanks.

Oh by the way I have confirmed that it is not the cables or speakers as I tried different cables and speakers and headphones.

[RenegadeX]

Probably not it, but worth double-checking 'cos you'd kick yourself if you didn't:
- with those crackly cards, did you have Line-In and Mic-In <<not>> MUTED?

If they're not being used and not muted, you may find static or other nearby cables creating interference, and hence crackles.

[Blackjack]

If at all possible, get the A/C away from your computer. A cycling A/C is not good with what you have on 1 circuit---and should be hooked up on it's own circuit. Try running and extension cord to your PC,,,see what happens.

[LeetViet]

Is your southbridge overheating?

[Mistersprinkles]

Southbridge feels very cool to the touch right now but I am using the MOBO sound atm..

I don't think its the MIC/LINE IN mute but thank you please keep all these things coming

thanks again

[Mistersprinkles]

Still getting popping... using MOBO sound right now...

Not sure if its static almost sounds more like a DMA/IRQ conflict... can anyone else help?>

[Mistersprinkles]

I tried hooking just the tower and entire setup (speakers monitor etc) to a different outlet on a different circuit and I am still getting popping...

[Mistersprinkles]

please help

[hot_potato]

Maybe when you took out the auzentech card it didn't uninstall all of the sound drivers? Anyways, it sounds pretty bizarre - unfortunately you might have to do a reinstall to eliminate the problem.. good luck!

[Mistersprinkles]

No dude Ive reinstalled many many times and it still wont go away.

The ONLY card that ever worked properly on this PC was a SB AUDIGY 2 Value and nothing else has worked properly, not even an AUDIGY 2 ZS or the MOBO sound. EVERYTHING crackles.

No matter how many times I reinstall windows, what PCI slot I use, what electrical outlet I plug into, nothing.

I think there is a problem with my power supply or motherboard..

[rfdghost]

have you tried another set of speakers yet?

[Mistersprinkles]

Yep. I've tried the following just to summarise

New speakers
sound cards (MOBO sound, SBaudigy2ZS, Audigy 2 Value, XFIXtremeaudio, AUZENTECH Meridian and Xplosion)
~Only the Audigy 2 Value has worked right
new cable from speakers to PC
headphones
different audio players
every PCI slot
every available driver version
changing the IRQ setting (Switched from ACPI TO SPC HAL)
Changing the outlet, powerbar, power cord, fuse in my house