Speakers Popping and Crackling

[LexingtonPethead]

Maybe there are some techies here who can point me in the right direction.

For the past 3 weeks or so, I've noticed a "popping" sound whenever I have my computer speakers turned on. Sometimes when playing music, it resembles playing an old LP that pops. Other times it gets so bad it sounds like a round of firecrackers going off on the 4th of July and this makes it intolerable to have my speakers on.

My system is only about 1.5 years old. I have an Audigy 2 Soundblaster sound card and Logitech THX speakers that produce a big sound.

The only thing I've done different is install a wireless mouse and keyboard. However, the popping continues whether the bluetooth radio is plugged in or not.

I've also given my hardware a good cleaning, but the popping continues. Any ideas???

[Pethead1]

[seichu kaisho]

I agree with Pethead 1; stomp on your computer for a while and the problem solved will be.

[LexingtonPethead]

That's me alright. Thank you Debbie for sharing!

[Michael]

Offhand, first thing I would do is plug a set of headphones into the back of the computer. That eliminates the speakers from the equation and tells you whether the problem is between the jack and the speakers, or inside the computer.

Then if it was outside of the computer (the headphones work fine), I'd try replacing speaker cables if possible (if your speakers are not permanently attached to the wire that goes into your computer).

If the crackling is only when you are moving the volume control, you might be able to get some graphite in there or something and clear that up.

You could also try plugging your speakers into the headphone jack on a stereo and see if you get the same problem.

Other than that, unless you just know someone who tinkers with electronics, or you like to yourself, you might just have to replace the speakers. Speakers aren't terribly expensive, and it might be easier than trying to get them fixed unless they're high-dollar jobs.

[LexingtonPethead]

Thanks, MJ!! Your idea isolated the problem to the computer (not the speakers), which is where I thought it was, but now it's confirmed. Do you think it could be my soundcard (Creative Audigy2 SoundBlaster)? I updated my drivers from the Creative website, but the popping persists.

It might also be a BIOS setting or a Windows setting, but those seem complicated to change, and I have no idea how they could be out of whack anyway. Everything was fine not more than 3 weeks ago.

Do you think it could be a sound card gone bad?

[Michael]

I'm no expert on sound cards... you might unplug the computer, open the case, and make sure the sound card is seated well in the slot, and that any cables from the card to other components in the computer are seated well too. Sometimes things can sort of work their way loose over time because of vibrations from the fan(s), hard drive, etc., and especially if you've moved the computer. Outside of that... I can't really think of anything else to check.

[seichu kaisho]

Speakers explode in your face yet?