Asus G73JH-A1 - Loud crackling sound - Answers and Solutions?

Hello,

Twice today, apparently at random, my computer's speakers started making this horrific loud static/crackling sound. I freaked out and shut down the computer both times, which stopped the sound. Turning down the volume using the computer controls did not affect the intensity of the noise.

Now, I've been searching online and it seems other people have been experiencing this exact same problem, but its (a) causes, and (b) solutions are both still quite ambiguous.

With respect to (a), I am extremely worried that this problem is isolated so a subset of machines, and that it is a manufacturing defect / hardware problem. It's hard to tell though. Some people have blamed specific combinations of software, like the Realtek / Creative conflict.

With respect to (b), some people seem to have solved it by rolling back the Realtek drivers and using the default Windows sound drivers. Wouldn't this reduce the quality of the sound significantly? I remember trying this when I first got the laptop and read about this potential conflict, and I think I noticed a pretty steep dropoff in sound quality and so just kept both Creative and Realtek in place. Moreover, isn't the Creative stuff not found online? I mean, if I wanted to try uninstalling it, woudn't I lose it permanently?

Thanks in advance for the help everyone! I hope this post is in the right place.

 

uninstall creative stuff, worked for me. Creative is just software to enhance the sound of your speakers, mine did the same only the computer hard locked with that sound screeching out of the speakers. I had to go into safe mode to uninstall creative software to make it stop. no problems after that.

 

Won't this negatively affect the sound quality?

 

I think the jury is still out whether removing Creative solves the crackling issue. There are other threads on this topic, you could do a search.

As to the sound quality with Creative removed, that's subjective. Many of the options supplied with Creative are available in the Realtek HD Audio Manager as soon as Creative is removed. The G73JH doesn't have discrete 2.1 sound. The sub-woofer is most likely filtered using a cap. So for example, when you turn on bass enhance in Creative, there's a noticeable dynamic compression shift of sound away from the two main speakers, which IMO, negatively affects the sound quality.

IMO, Creative can cause more issues than it's worth, which is why I've called it worthless in the past and currently don't recommend installing it (see sig for more).

 

Interesting, Kalim.

If we assume that I don't use the "bass-boost" and "EAX" features, would we notice any difference in sound?

 

Nope, your sound will be the same. I used it for a bit before formatting, and it sounded great without the creative software. I considered it to be worthless and gimmicky, so there is no reason to keep it if it's causing problems.

 

Update: I can confirm that the loud crackling sound issue is NOT resolved by removing Creative. I just got it again today. Interestingly, it often happens AFTER exiting from a game.

 

This problem has been discussed in several threads, including:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/472124-help-brand-new-g73-issue.html
http://forum.notebookreview.com/asus/483160-g73jh-sound-issues.html
Asus G73jh crackling issue. - XOTICPC Forums

Unfortunately, it looks like the problem affects isolated machines (including mine) and is likely a hardware defect. At this point, you have two options:

(1) uninstall the Realtek driver and use the generic Windows driver and live with the lack of subwoofer and inability to completely mute the sound (some low frequencies are always directed to the subwoofer (or one of the speakers, I can't tell), with or without headphones plugged in)

(2) RMA/exchange it for a new one

 

My laptop does this too. But it only does it with the built-in speakers...I've never noticed it with headphones or external speakers.

 

mmm sorry but not this one , i lived this way for 3 days and the noise came back

 

bad new: i disbled all sound devices , erased all audio related software(drivers,creative,..etc),to se waht happened , and after 3 minutes the horrible sound was back again , yeah back!! , with the speakers disbled , noww this is creepy!! mabe our laps are haunted!!

 

Guys...take it from me..this issue is VERY difficult to pinpoint and days into trying EVERYTHING I had come to the conclusion that it is hardware related...either that or once you cause this "incompatibility" it seems, theres no way to undo it...I narrowed it down to 3 things
1. Sometimes there is no rhyme or reason to the trigger
2. At one point, the trigger was ANY windows sounds (i.e opening a window that made a "click" sound)
3. If you can enter Ease of Access without it triggering, you got a winner

I struggled with this issue and I was one of the first people to have an G73 trust me...rma it...upon receiving the new rig, immediately uninstall Creative and Soundblaster...restart...enter control Panel>Ease of Access>Ease of Access Center...if the lady's voice speaks..your in the clear

 

How long does it take the RMA process?

 

I would check if there is a local Asus ASP location. This way you can drop it / pickup from there and avoid mailing. Also, you can better guarantee you get back the same unit. Plus turnaround is about 3 days on average.

 

I dont think so cause i'm right now in Mexico maybe i wont be able to avoid mailing , but i was wondering if they pay for the shippings.

 

I noticed that the crackling sound happens on mine when the GPU cools down and reaches 60 degrees C.

It's quite warm where I live, and the GPU now idles at 72C, and I haven't gotten the squealing noise at all! So it seems another solution is to keep the GPU warm at all times to avoid the noise.

 

any solutions for this problem? I haven't had it for a week but today right after I quit gta 4 it came back =/

 

I had this happen on my previous HP Pavillion model.

It started after I upgraded from Vista to W7. I even went back to Vista and it was still there. I uninstalled all my drivers, reinstalled them, and even went back to W7 ...nope.

It eventually broke down but I never found a solution since I got a refund.

 

Disabling system sounds fixes it from coming on a lot of the time.

Control panel > sounds > chose scheme as "No Sounds"

But the crackle still comes on whenever I play a video or a song...

 

I noticed that this problem with Asus G73J was occuring when the computer was getting very warm (speakers area). I have cleaned it with compressed gas, according to procedure, and found it quite dusty. It is cooler now and the sparckling noise never came back since.

 

I was having this very issue. You should try, with the power off, using a can of air to blow through the vents.

For me, a TON of dust bunnies blew out of the chassis, and the noise hasn't happened since.

 

Hello, i have a simple solution that may be can help you live with the problem together (because i can't fix it completely). you should run some game like: MW3 or War3.....then you alt+tab and can do anything without the crackling sound. I don,t know why but it work for me. I hope it,l'll work for you too.
PS:I use G73JH-A1, only reatek Driver 2.42 downloaded form asus.

 

to remove the crackling noise simply mute the microphone.

taskbar--> volume icon --> speakers --> levels --> mute the microphone

tell me if this solves the problem ...