Question Anything I can do to troubleshoot my audio?

[axlrose]

I've been having audio problems lately, though only in Steam I think. I have an old build without a path to putting together a new build. Is there anything I can do to troubleshoot audio on my motherboard?

Thanks!

 

[Lutfij]

Is there anything I can do to troubleshoot audio on my motherboard?
First, we'll need to know what you've tried prior to creating this thread. Second, I notice you have specs listed in your sig space. Sig space specs can and will change over time and when that happens this thread and it's relevant suggestion will be rendered moot to the end user in the same boat as you're in now. It's with this in mind that we ask users to include your specs in your thread's body.

Speaking of specs, please include the BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time and the OS you're working with. If you're on Windows 10 or 11, include the version(not edition) of the OS.

In this instance, please list your audio equipment alongside your specs.

I've been having audio problems lately, though only in Steam I think.
Please elaborate.

 

[axlrose]

Is there anything I can do to troubleshoot audio on my motherboard?
First, we'll need to know what you've tried prior to creating this thread. Second, I notice you have specs listed in your sig space. Sig space specs can and will change over time and when that happens this thread and it's relevant suggestion will be rendered moot to the end user in the same boat as you're in now. It's with this in mind that we ask users to include your specs in your thread's body.

I haven't tried anything prior to the thread. Unfortunately, what you see in my sig is still accurate.

Speaking of specs, please include the BIOS version for your motherboard at this moment of time and the OS you're working with. If you're on Windows 10 or 11, include the version(not edition) of the OS.

I thought about a bios update, but my board is old enough that I don't have the safe second bios option thing that modern boards have, so although I have done that before, it was a long time ago, and I don't want to brick my board updating the bios. I mean if that's the only option, yes, but not just as a maybe this will help and maybe it will brick your board.

I am hanging on to windows ten as my old rig unfortunately cannot upgrade to windows 11. But that's another thread.

Bios version - Not sure. Can I find this without restarting and going into my bios?
Windows 10 version - 2009

In this instance, please list your audio equipment alongside your specs.

I've been having audio problems lately, though only in Steam I think.
Please elaborate.

I have two desktop speakers. I seem to be getting occassional crackling there. I am also connecting to my projector through my av, and that is where the biggest audio problems are coming. They seem to only arrive through steam though. AV is a Denon model. Speakers are old def tech. Projector is epson 5050ub.

 

[Misgar]

I don't want to brick my board updating the bios

Understandable, especially if you don't have a UPS to guard against AC mains power cuts during BIOS flashing. I've reflashed dozens of okl boards with no failures so far.

AV is a Denon model. Speakers are old def tech.

I'm using a Kenwood receiver and Goodmans Magnum loudspeakers in the computer room with a Cambridge Audio DACMagic 100 and a Sennheiser HDV 820 for headphones. Stereo only - no surround sound.
https://www.whathifi.com/cambridge-audio/dacmagic-100/review
https://www.whathifi.com/sennheiser/hdv-820/review

USB DACs can be very cheap or very expensive, but provide an alternative to the computer's built in audio chip.

If you want to experiment with very little expenditure, try something like this:-
https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Adapter-Support-Headphone-Compatible/dp/B08Y8CZB2S

Slightly more expensive is this unit:-
https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Decoder-Headphone-Amplifier-Black-DAC/dp/B07TBF488G

If the crackling sound persists with an USB DAC, at least you've ruled out a hardware/driver fault with the Realtek ALC1150 on-board codec chip.

 

[axlrose]

Understandable, especially if you don't have a UPS to guard against AC mains power cuts during BIOS flashing. I've reflashed dozens of okl boards with no failures so far.


I'm using a Kenwood receiver and Goodmans Magnum loudspeakers in the computer room with a Cambridge Audio DACMagic 100 and a Sennheiser HDV 820 for headphones. Stereo only - no surround sound.
https://www.whathifi.com/cambridge-audio/dacmagic-100/review
https://www.whathifi.com/sennheiser/hdv-820/review

USB DACs can be very cheap or very expensive, but provide an alternative to the computer's built in audio chip.

If you want to experiment with very little expenditure, try something like this:-
https://www.amazon.com/UGREEN-Adapter-Support-Headphone-Compatible/dp/B08Y8CZB2S

Slightly more expensive is this unit:-
https://www.amazon.com/Digital-Decoder-Headphone-Amplifier-Black-DAC/dp/B07TBF488G

If the crackling sound persists with an USB DAC, at least you've ruled out a hardware/driver fault with the Realtek ALC1150 on-board codec chip.

Help me a little more. Plug this into a USB. It provides 'onboard sound' and I plug speakers on the PC into this instead to see if providing an alternative gets rid of the intermittent crackling, leading to the motherboard being the cause?

 

[Misgar]

Yes, apart from the fact the USB DAC provides external (off board) sound, not on board sound (as provided by the Realtek audio codec).

You need to open the Sound option in Windows and select the USB DAC, otherwise you won't hear anything on the speakers or headphones plugged into the external DAC.

All you're doing is providing an alternative sound output device.