IDT Audio Crackles & Pops on HDX16t

Got this brand new notebook the other day. LOVE IT however I noticed when a web site is loading or a song is just playing and I'm doing nothing the audio will hiss, pop, or hiccup. It's not bad but really annoying and a high end laptop shouldn't be doing this. I have tried reinstalling the IDT drivers, reload windows, disable enhancements. I also stopped the IDT service from loading when windows starts but this still persists. Gonna try just using the vista drivers. My specs are:


HP HDX16t Premium Series customizable Notebook PC

* • Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium with Service Pack 1 (64-bit)
* • Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor P8700 (2.53 GHz, 3 MB L2 Cache, 1066MHz FSB)
* • FREE Upgrade to 4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm) from 3GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
* • 500GB 7200RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
* • 1GB Nvidia GeForce GT 130M
* • 16.0" diagonal High Definition HP Ultra BrightView Infinity Display (1366x768)
* • Blu-Ray ROM with SuperMulti DVD+/-R/RW Double Layer
* • Webcam + Fingerprint Reader with HP Imprint Finish (Fluid)
* • Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
* • No TV Tuner w/remote control
* • Full Size Backlit Keyboard
* • 50% OFF!! One 6 Cell and One 12 Cell Lithium Ion Batteries
* • System Recovery DVD with Genuine Windows Vista Home Premium (64-bit)

 

You can also try installing the latest IDT drivers from the driver thread and see if it fixes your problem.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=404164 (also in sig)

 

Well thanks but I had the latest drivers installed prior to that. To get crackle free sound I have to use just the standard vista drivers. This is not a hardware problem as others are experiencing it with the Dell XPS 1640 laptop. Why can't HP use Realtek instead of crappy IDT?

 

HP used Realtek audio in the previous generation. Other than that, I don't know why they changed to IDT. In fact, I don't think I had ever heard of IDT prior to HP implementing them.

 

Idt used to be sigmatel they changed the name and logo.

 

Ah, I see. Thanks for clarifying.

 

In fact IDT has been a chip maker for a long time, but they specialize in things that you maybe haven't heard of, such as clock generators. IDT bought SigmaTel thus the SigmaTel audio chip line is now called IDT.

Anyway, the OP's problem is probably related to DPC latency. HP's Vista installs are screwed from the get go. Download the DPC Latency Checker and see for yourself.

Leave the sound driver alone, it's got nothing to do with it. Instead, remove as much of the bloatware as you can, and update wireless drivers first, then if it still doesn't go away also try updating video drivers. If all else fails it's clean install time.

 

HI, Before I did a clean install I made sure everything was up to date. Could you please explain more on DPC Latency Checker? How do I go about this? Just so I can describe this problem to the best of my knowledge. When a website is loading or I'm opening a window and audio is playing it will momentarily stutter or crack or pop.

 

This is where you download the checker -> http://www.thesycon.de/eng/latency_check.shtml

If you get any red bars, update your wireless drivers (preferably from the card manufacturer's site not from HP) and see if they occur again.

 

Well I ran that program and got some red bars. So I went to Intel's website for the latest wireless drivers. The video card is the latest driver. Hopefully this will resolve the issue.

 

http://www.nvidiadriver.org/?kw=nvidia-drivers&gclid=CMub6cKV0ZwCFQS7sgod7jAELg

And your clean install was lacking it would seem.

Between the newest HP BIOS... and SP2.. verse your clean install.

Who won that one?

Good Luck, JW

 

I don't have this issue, but then again, I never did a clean install. I don't have the latest IDT drivers has I've heard it causes bsods. Any comments on this?

 

Using brand new Wireless drivers, and Nvidia drivers and still am getting stuttering, popping, and cracking. Gonna return it simple as that.

 

I wouldn't return it. Rather, try Win7 RTM. It isn't a hardware issue, and your new one will most likely do the same. You just have to take some time and investigate the issue.

Anyway, if you do exchange it, i'm waiting for confirmation that your new one is having the same problem.

 

True, a new one could most likely have that problem. But I have tried everything that everyone on this website and some others have recommended. Nothing has worked yet. IDT will release a Windows 7 driver come closer to the Oct 22 release and once W7 is out I will buy the exact same laptop or maybe the Dell XPS 16 but a little reluctant due to the heat issues ):

 

Grr, i have to blame myself for not upping that vid yet. I made a vid i will up to youtube, which is all about DPC latency, how to detect issues (that checker program doesn't always see the spikes), and some guidelines to fix them.

Anyway. Does your laptop have a nVidia video card? If so, it's the nVidia PowerMizer causing the stutters. Google your way to disabling that (hint: it's about changing a registry value from 3333 to 2222), and enjoy flawless sound. If it's not that either... Keep hunting.

I could go on for ages, but basically laptop makers don't give a damn about their quality anymore. One of my computers is a rather exotic configuration, a dual-PIII with 1GB SDRAM and a Radeon 9800 Pro 256MB. It's got a soundcard that is 13 years old and built upon technology that is over 20 years old (AWE64 ISA). Sure it only supports 44.1kHz/16-bit and nothing more, but it's got hardware MIDI, hardware tone controls, a nice 3D effect, and a built-in 4W amp which serves nicely for my satellite speakers. But what's the most important, it never ever skipped a beat. Now if 20 year old tech can do it, why can't the current generation of "HD" audio chips? Simple reason: Because no one really cares anymore. If someone needs pro audio gear, they spend extra dollar for a Creative or M-Audio soundcard. Simple as that - it's all marketing. Fact is that with today's computers (speaking strictly of stock configs) you can't do half of what computers 5 years ago used to do. Is that a problem? Yes. Do OEM computer makers see it as a problem? No. They simply see (and exploit it) as another way to boost their profits.

Btw, the IDT driver for Vista works just fine under Windows 7.

 

OMG your so right about that. Anyway I googled it and really couldn't a way to disable the nVidia PowerMizer. I have an Nvidia GT130m graphics. card. I got in the registry but couldn't find where exactly edit the numbers.

 

I might not remember it exactly as i'm in a hurry now, but it should be:

Code:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\Control\CurrentControlSet\Video

Once you get there you will find several classes (keys with long hex names). Hit Ctrl+F and type in "PerfLevelSrc", it should find it quickly. Change the value of PerfLevelSrc from 3333 to 2222 to disable PowerMizer entirely, or 3322 if you want PowerMizer to stay enabled on battery. Reboot.

There should be no more glitches. But be aware that this will make your video card run hotter at idle, temps will rise by 5-10 degrees C. Gaming temps will not change because the card always runs at max speed when it is under load.

 

See thats the thing, its not finding the PerfLevelSrc.

 

Then create it.



I double checked and the registry path i posted above is correct. Expand all subkeys there and look for one that is named 0000 and has a lot of game executable names on the right when you click it (see screenshot for reference). That's the nVidia key. Scroll to the bottom and right-click, then New -> DWORD (32-bit). Name it PerfLevelSrc and give it a value of 2222 hexadecimal. Report back with news.

 

Thanks I was able to create the file. We'll see if it will resolve the crackling audio now Hopefully.

 

An excellent suggestion. I've found that many times a little investigative analysis can help you determine a problem with the least amount of inconvenience.

 

Yes indeed. But the problem here is that we have to be investigating something that shouldn't have occured in the first place. OEM computers are starting to feel like a bunch of lego thrown together in no particular order.

 

Why don't I have this issue???

 

Well it didn't work. Oh well I appreciate everyone's amazing suggestions but gonna make arrangements with HP tomorrow for a full refund. Have my eye on the DELL xps 1640

 

Before you return it, install a driver from laptopvideo2go.com, those already have all the tweaks enabled, so you'll have the value already available and set to 3333. Then it's just a matter of changing it. It's possible that there are a few other values that PowerMizer depends on, and that your driver doesn't have defined.

 

Someone wrote a simple program for disabling the powermizer. Here's the thread:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=273276

 

Thanks everyone for your contribution in this thread! I have a HP HDX 16-1140US and I have had the same DPC latency spikes most have experienced with nvidia Gforce.
I spottted the issue and it´s the video card. I downloaded the latest drivers and nothing worked. Disabling powermizer solved the problem but I noticed the card runs hotter... Anyhow, it´s incredible nvidia folks don´t address the problem...
Do you think that if I move to windows 7 this problem may disappear???
Thanks in advance...