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Topic: MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer! (Read 7712 times) previous topic - next topic
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MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

 Hello! I am new to the forum and have read a few posts on this topic.. but most seem to encompass the pops and clicks being in the files on all players... Mine, simply happens on my brand new computer!

Here's the story.

I began burning my 3,000+ CD collection to my computer last year in preparation of getting my iPod.  I burned using iTunes on my old computer and all was well with the world.

Last month I bought a new computer and transfered my entire MP3 collection using an external hard drive to my new computer. 

The MP3's that were transfered all pop and click ONLY when played on my computer.  Any software that plays them (Windows Media 10, iTunes, etc..) includes the pops.  However, when they play through my TiVo box on my TV through my home Network, they sound great.  When they play on my iPod, they sound great.  The only problem is when they play directly on the computer.

Also, I am noticing that any CD I burn using iTunes on this computer (not the transferred files) seems to sound fine.  So, all CDs I've burned directly on this computer do NOT have the clicks and play normally.

Is there anything I can do to stop this annoyance!?  Reburning my entire collection really isn't an option since the pops only occur on the computer (i usually use the iPod anyway) and given the size of my collection, it took me a year to burn it all as it stands!

Any suggestions or help to fix this issue would be a great relief!

Thanks for all your help in advance folks!
Rob

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #1 –
update soundcard drivers, update mainboard-chipset drivers, check for possible resource-conflicts in windows device-manager
I am arrogant and I can afford it because I deliver.

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #2 –
could possible be a bad rip...try reripping.

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #3 –
Quote
could possible be a bad rip...try reripping.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=353770"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Did you actually read his post completely?
I am arrogant and I can afford it because I deliver.

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #4 –
I tend to agree with Lyx. The problem seems to be somewhere in de audio hardware and/or drivers on your PC. It could even be a problem in your speakers attached to your system. Try listening through headphones.
Did you try Foobar2000 as well?
In order to completely rule out any kind of file corruption, add md5 or parchive error detection to some files and check these on multiple systems.

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #5 –
What soundcard are you using?  What mb chipset?  I had this same problem with my acoustic edge (philips) soundcard.  I went to the audigy2 zs  with the beta drivers and it cleared this up greatly.

Do what Lyx said and I bet the problem will clear up.

EDIT: update

I actually just did a test with my computer (via chipset kt800pro) and version 4.56 of the via drivers worked the best.  I have very few pops now.  With these drivers I can even open pdf's and other high cpu programs with no distortion.  that is a first for me.  of course YMMV

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #6 –
Quote
burning my 3,000+ CD collection to my computer

It's ripping, btw.

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #7 –
@NCRobino
FYI. Recently I had problems with audio playback under WinXP too. Audio player and format didn't matter. I resolved the problem by changing the connection type of my eithernet card from auto-detect to a fixed rate.

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #8 –
Sounds like an IRQ conflict to me. If your sound card is sharing an IRQ, moving it to a different slot will force Windows to assign a different and hopefully better IRQ.
there is no escaping the thing that is making its home in your radio

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #9 –
Hey guys, many thanks for the suggestions.. I almost don't know where to start!  Ok, I am not sure what kind of Motherboard or Soundcard I am running.  I have a Compaq 1650NX, brand spanking new computer and was not the bottom of the line at all. 

As a novice, I don't know how to check/do etc many of your suggestions.  How do I check if the IRQ's are conflicting?  I would LOVE to follow Lyx's advice and update the soundcard and chipset drivers, but have no idea how to go about this.

I did download Foobar and it plays the songs with the same clicks.  Scratch that.  Beercan, I strive for your results!  Thanks for the help...  let me know how to go about testing these things...
Rob

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #10 –
PS.... How do I go about this too "add md5 or parchive error detection"

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #11 –
 Hmmm... I wonder if anyone's still reading this post?  I am hoping to follow some of your suggestions, but need further guidance... anyone??

Thanks again
Rob

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #12 –
Try foobar with the DirectSound 2.5 plugin, and use a 700ms cache. I find that plugin and setting works best with my card.
Acid8000 aka. PhilDEE

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #13 –
While it could be related to the soundcard, it could also be due to excessive interrupting. The quickest and obvious guess is the harddisk is operating in PIO mode instead of DMA. Since many "brand new" computers come misconfigured in that particular aspect, I wouldn't doubt that's your problem.

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #14 –
Quote
Sounds like an IRQ conflict to me. If your sound card is sharing an IRQ, moving it to a different slot will force Windows to assign a different and hopefully better IRQ.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=354317"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


IRQs don't actually exist on modern systems.  They show up in Windows, but they don't have physical meaning. 

I'm betting on chipset or sound drivers.

Quote
I would LOVE to follow Lyx's advice and update the soundcard and chipset drivers, but have no idea how to go about this.


Lookup what motherboard and soundcard you have, google them and download the drivers from the manufactor.  You can also check the company that made your computer's site, but those maybe outdated.  If you motherboard is OEM, you may need to go to the website of the company that made it's chipset.

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #15 –
Quote
Quote
Sounds like an IRQ conflict to me. If your sound card is sharing an IRQ, moving it to a different slot will force Windows to assign a different and hopefully better IRQ.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=354317"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


IRQs don't actually exist on modern systems.  They show up in Windows, but they don't have physical meaning. 

I'm betting on chipset or sound drivers.

Quote
I would LOVE to follow Lyx's advice and update the soundcard and chipset drivers, but have no idea how to go about this.


Lookup what motherboard and soundcard you have, google them and download the drivers from the manufactor.  You can also check the company that made your computer's site, but those maybe outdated.  If you motherboard is OEM, you may need to go to the website of the company that made it's chipset.
[a href="index.php?act=findpost&pid=354964"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]


Allrighty then.  I am making no progress fast guys.  I Googled my motherboard..etc.... to no avail.  Lots of articles, but nothing I could find relating to a site that offered updated drivers.  Here is the info for my system that I found on the HP website....  If anyone can offer me a site or links to get these newer drivers.. that would be great. 

Part / Feature  Specification / Support 
Motherboard description  Motherboard manufacturer's name: ASUS A8AE-LE
HP/Compaq name: AmberineM-GL6E

Chipset  Northbridge: RS482
Southbridge: SB400

BIOS features  4Mb LPC EEPROM
HP BIOS with enhanced ACPI, DMI, Green, and PnP Features Plus

Onboard audio or audio card  Controller: AC97 audio
Location: Integrated

Hope that helps.  IF anyone knows where to find new drivers for the Chipset/Audio Card/ or Motherboard... thanks for passing it along.

Rob

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #16 –
Also, Chipset Northbridge and Southbridge?!?!!  Which am I to use to update drivers?!

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #17 –
Quote
Allrighty then.  I am making no progress fast guys.  I Googled my motherboard..etc.... to no avail.  Lots of articles, but nothing I could find relating to a site that offered updated drivers.  Here is the info for my system that I found on the HP website....  If anyone can offer me a site or links to get these newer drivers.. that would be great. 


Look at the harddisk led, do you hear clicks and bops when it blinks?

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #18 –
Ok, for the soundcard ..I found this on Realtek's site.  Does the one for Window's XP apply??  I don't want to install it and mess something up if its not right.  IT refers to being a CODEC, which I am not sure is the same as the drivers....

Thanks again for your patience everyone!
Rob
Link:http://www.realtek.com.tw/downloads/dlac97-2.aspx?lineid=5&famid=12&series=8&Software=True

AC'97 Audio CODECs 


Software (Drivers & Utilities)


  | Windows | Unix (Linux) | OS/2 | 

 
  Windows (Re-sort by Description)

  Note: Please Read Me before downloading any Windows drivers.

  Description Version Update Time File Size Download
Site 1 Site 2 Site 3
Realtek Media Player(RtlRack) A3.81 2005/12/26 11913k Go Go Go
Windows 95 for Driver only A3.81 2005/12/26 7856k Go Go Go
Windows 98Gold/98se/Me/2000/XP/2003(32/64 bits) for Driver only. For Windows 98 SE, DirectX®8 is required to enable advanced features. A3.81 2005/12/26 17963k Go Go

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #20 –
Legg, Thanks for the thought.  The LED light does flash when the song plays... the clicks do happen during the flashes, but they are not directly timed.  I am not sure if that means it is a performance issue or not.

Wow. I am sorry guys.  Mike, thanks... but even with the link, I can't figure which driver I would need to install.  When I go to the link you provided, it is for ATI, but I don't know what is what.  There is no reference to Chipset Drivers (whatever that is).  I pretty much need a direct link to the driver, especially if the names of what I need are not directly linked to what was on the hp page with the specs for my computer.  These were my choices on the ATI site:

Windows® XP drivers and software are available for the following product types:
RADEON
ALL-IN-WONDER
TV Tuners
Remote Controls
FireGL
FireMV
RAGE
Motherboards with ATI Graphics
Notebooks with ATI Graphics

Again, no reference to Chipsets.  I assumed Motherboards with ATI graphics, but when I clicke that.. there is no model number, nothing.

I did find this info under Motherboard drivers, does this apply to me?
ATI Chipset Product Support
The Catalyst® software suite is designed to support the following ATI chipset products:

Radeon® Xpress 200 series
Radeon® 9000 IGP
Radeon® 9100 IGP
Radeon® 9100 IGP Pro
IXP 300

Thanks again
Rob

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #21 –
The Latest, I took a chance and installed the latest ATI Catylyst 5.13 update... nothing seems messed up, so thats good.. but nothing is better either.  Still clicks in the songs.  This is the name of the file I downloaded and installed:
5-13_xp-2k_dd_ccc_wdm_enu_29124

I also found a Realtek AC'97 driver, downloaded and installed that....

No changes either as far as I can tell.
Any other drivers I should update?

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #22 –
I LIED!!! I LIED!  That AC'97 Driver that I downloaded did it!  It did it!  The songs that have traditionally clicked and popped no longer do so!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks a million you guys! Hopefully this will not reoccur!  I am so glad and relieved... again, a collection of 3000 plus CDs is no simple feat to rerecord! 

 

Thanks a million again!  I am basic when it comes to the inner workings.. and I've appreciated all the suggestions and help.

Rob             
 

MP3 Pops and Clicks ONLY on computer!

Reply #23 –
I case anyone else stumbles upon this thread, I can confirm that, almost three years later, it has saved me a great deal of grief.  I had the same problem, also with an HP/Compaq of similar vintage, and it has been cured by downloading the latest driver set from Realtek.  The download and install could not have been more straightforward, although two of the three sites were very, very slow; the third was just slow, but then again it did the job.  I should add that the sound quality is also much improved, so if you have an old set of Realtek drivers and they are not performing, try updating.

Thanks to NCRobino for raising the issue and posting the good news, and thanks of course to all those who helped - especially Mike Giacomelli and "Lyx".