Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS problems

[emperorCroc]

I searched through some forums already but I can't find anyone else with this problem.

I get major distortion and static from my card. I know it works because I just had it in my old system (P4C800e-dlx + P4 3.2c).

Current specs:
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (@ 2.6GHz)
DFI Lanparty NF4 SLI-DR (623 bios)
2x 512 Corsair 4400C25
BFG 7800GTX 256 OC

I have tried several bios (this one is the most stable with my oc).
I have tried several different creative drivers.
I have installed it in all of the PCI slots.
I have installed it while the processor is not overclocked.
I have the onboard sound disabled.

Anyone have any ideas?

 

[Gerbil333]

Text

Odd. There must be some sort of bug.

 

[LOUISSSSS]

turn down/off the mic.. if u have the zs platinum.. i had static and doing that got rid of it

 

[emperorCroc]

Standard ZS.

Mic is muted and not even plugged in. So is line in.

Gerbil333, I'm not having the same problem as him. I can get sound from my analog out, but it is highly distorted and there is lots of static.

 

[Megatomic]

I have the same card in a different SLI mobo (EVGA NF4 SLI) and thankfully it works fine for me. Perhaps you can try LOUISSSSS's advice. I know I have my mic muted but the card was fine before I did that.

 

[Gerbil333]

Originally posted by: emperorCroc
Gerbil333, I'm not having the same problem as him. I can get sound from my analog out, but it is highly distorted and there is lots of static.

What do you mean? He wrote, "all I can really hear is mostly static and the noise is barely audible in the back round."

Are you sure that's not the same problem?

 

[emperorCroc]

Originally posted by: Gerbil333

Originally posted by: emperorCroc
Gerbil333, I'm not having the same problem as him. I can get sound from my analog out, but it is highly distorted and there is lots of static.

What do you mean? He wrote, "all I can really hear is mostly static and the noise is barely audible in the back round."

Are you sure that's not the same problem?

I can tell you now that his problem is just that he is trying to plug analog headphones/speakers into the digital out, which will just produce static.

For me, I can hear the sound and it is loud, but it is distorted and has static. Now I have tested it more and it's isolated to just the right channel. I have tried speakers and headphones, so I know its not my output devices. The left channel is clear and sounds great, but the right side is heavily distorted.

Maybe it's the card itself that is bad .... I guess I can try it in a different computer.

 

[Gerbil333]

If you'll read his entire thread, no, that was not the problem.

 

[emperorCroc]

Ok, more testing .... when I turn the volume DOWN the static INCREASES and the volume INCREASES. I can turn the right channel all the way down and it's ok on the left, but if I set it to anything other than 100% it just gets louder on the right side and still distorted.

This is WEIRD.

 

[emperorCroc]

Originally posted by: Gerbil333
If you'll read his entire thread, no, that was not the problem.

I did read the entire thread, and I have installed/reinstalled everything multiple times. His problem WAS the digital out, if you read the end he plugs it into the analog after updating all his drivers etc.

Either way, our problems are different and I have already tried the "solution" from his thread. So it doesn't apply here.

 

[emperorCroc]

Originally posted by: Gerbil333
If you'll read his entire thread, no, that was not the problem.

BTW I appreciate you trying to help me, I'm not trying to argue or discredit you or whatever. Just trying to isolate the problem and I already know that isn't the problem.

 

[Gerbil333]

Yea, I understand. The descriptions seemed similar at first.

Originally posted by: emperorCrocThis is WEIRD.

That's my thought as well. I'd put the card back in the machine it came from or at least in a different computer and see what happens.

 

[emperorCroc]

Tried it in my roommates NF2, works flawlessly, same drivers.

 

[emperorCroc]

Ok a little update. After successfully testing hte unit in my roommates computer, I put it back in my computer and did a fresh windows install.

Installed windows, nvidia drivers minus the audio drivers, windows updates then the creative auto update.

Still distorted on the right channel.

I'm stumped. I even checked the IRQ settings and it is the only device using IRQ 19.

I guess it's time to give DFI a call.

 

[Ghouler]

that's weird. Card works fine in another PC so it's not the card. I hardly believe it's mobo's problem but it could be down to some bios settings. Maybe (1) try restoring bios to default settings and if that does not help, (2) change PCI latency timer value. Try 32, 64 and 128 ms settings.

Maybe two devices share resources. If the sound card has IRQ 19 or 21 or any high number I'd try changing PC configuration to basic ACPI (NOT jus PC, it must say ACPI) so that there are no virtual IRQs assigned.

Or the other way round - try expanding IRQs if you are using basic configuration now

If you changed PCI latency values, reconfigured ACPI configuration in device manager, last thing I'd do is :

(4) to take the other PCI card out (if you have any) - just for a test - and see if that helps...

 

[emperorCroc]

Originally posted by: Ghouler
that's weird. Card works fine in another PC so it's not the card. I hardly believe it's mobo's problem but it could be down to some bios settings. Maybe (1) try restoring bios to default settings and if that does not help, (2) change PCI latency timer value. Try 32, 64 and 128 ms settings.

Maybe two devices share resources. If the sound card has IRQ 19 or 21 or any high number I'd try changing PC configuration to basic ACPI (NOT jus PC, it must say ACPI) so that there are no virtual IRQs assigned.

Or the other way round - try expanding IRQs if you are using basic configuration now

If you changed PCI latency values, reconfigured ACPI configuration in device manager, last thing I'd do is :

(4) to take the other PCI card out (if you have any) - just for a test - and see if that helps...

1) Tried that, with 3 different BOIS versions too.

2) Not sure if I have that option.

3) I'm pretty sure I only have the option for ACPI on or off on this board. The IRQ assignment was 19 for the sound card, and it was not being shared by any other device(s).

4) I only have 2 pci slots, the other one is empty (I have also tried switching the card to the second slot).

New problem though, now I can't boot (bsod) and when I try to install windows again I get a bsod.

Memtest came out fine, drive tests came out fine. I'm pretty close to just RMA'ing the board. In fact I just purchased an Ultra-D for a replacement.

 

[Some1ne]

Sounds like a perfect excuse to splurge on a new mainboard and an X-Fi to ensure that the problem will never return.

 

[emperorCroc]

I don't know what else to do anymore, I have tried everything. What else could it possibly be other than the motherboard?

The whole system runs GREAT, no other issues other than the damn sound card. My 3800+ X2 oc's to 2.6 without breaking a sweat, and the system is perfectly stable. We know the card is good since I tested it in another system.

I might pick up an x-fi tomorrow at work (best buy) and test that out .....

Or a cheap $15 sound card ....

You don't realize how important sound is until you CAN'T USE IT.

 

[FusionChamber]

I had a similar problem. It would seem that some Audigy 2 soundcards get major static from the CD-In port (I never had this problem with the Audigy 1) on the soundcard itself, so go into your volume control and mute "CD Audio". I haven't heard any static since doing this so it might work for you too.