Static on Soundblaster Live?

Russ · 08-07-2004, 00:15

I've got a second-hand Soundblaster Live! card which came without the drivers but it's no real problem as I downloaded them.

I recently reformatted my machine and moved the card about to make space for my new graphics card.

Since then whenever I play music I can hear static coming through the speakers but when the music stops, the static does too - but it only seems to be music that's affected, other sounds (such as mail notification etc) do not seem to have the problem. I've tried putting the soundcard back in the original slot but that makes no difference.

Any ideas?

Richard M · 08-07-2004, 00:29

Maybe try installing different mp3 codecs?

SMHarman · 08-07-2004, 09:34

Where is the music coming from. Direct from CD or from the HDD?

Russ · 08-07-2004, 17:28

From the HD....

Bifta · 08-07-2004, 17:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

From the HD....

What are you using to play it? Winamp? Media Player? Have you tried both? Do they both have the same problem?

Russ · 08-07-2004, 17:38

WMP, I never use any other kind of player. Saying that, before this problem started I'd been using WMP and it was fine then...

edit - the statics comes through on CDs too.

Bifta · 08-07-2004, 17:40

Would you try another player even if it's only to narrow down where the problem is?

lf86 · 08-07-2004, 17:40

I have a sound blaster live (oem) which i bought from ebuyer a few months back. One problem I have with it is that it will frequently crash any sound application (winamp, other players, fruity loops etc). But with one program (bpm studio - which is a mp3 dj app fyi.) whenever I play a tune in the right deck all I get is static through the right speaker, no music, but the left speaker is fine. The left deck is crystal clear. The sound card is screwed in tight. My system is an amd xp1900/512mb ddr 266mhz/gigabyte gr7vtxe+ mobo.

Russ · 08-07-2004, 17:40

Yeah I'll try another - I'm sure one of my albums comes with it's own player built-in, I'll try that now....

Bifta · 08-07-2004, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

Yeah I'll try another - I'm sure one of my albums comes with it's own player built-in, I'll try that now....

Or even winamp, very small download if you get the stripped down version.

dilli-theclaw · 08-07-2004, 17:44

Just to add my 2p worth.....

I was getting static on my old live card!!!

I tried ALL my pci slots - and reinstalling windows - different speakers....

Anyway to cut a long story short - I ended up ditching it (putting it in my missus' pc - where it still works flawlessly) and getting a digifire card.

Strange stuff.

Russ · 08-07-2004, 17:45

I still get the static with the built-in player from the RHCP's Greatest Hits CD, I'll try Winamp now, but I have a feeling it'll be the same result...

Is the way the soundcard is physically installed a possible cause?

lf86 · 08-07-2004, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

I still get the static with the built-in player from the RHCP's Greatest Hits CD, I'll try Winamp now, but I have a feeling it'll be the same result...

Is the way the soundcard is physically installed a possible cause?

Well I did have mine loose as my case is a crap design and you have to almost break the PCI card to get it to screw into the case..so I tightened it and it is still the same. Also when I play Medal of Honour it will crash after so long, either locking my PC, or the sound will get stuck and I can carry on playing.
Not sure if its just apps that are intensive on sound that crash it, but thats what I've been starting to think.

dilli-theclaw · 08-07-2004, 17:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russ D

Is the way the soundcard is physically installed a possible cause?

I have had some weird stuff if the case isn't earthed properly before (the power cable was damaged in the pc i was looking at)

Just out of interest I see you say you downloaded the drivers. Presumably from creative.

Are you running XP? Have you tried it with the standard XP drivers? Does it do the same thing?

lf86 · 08-07-2004, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by dilligaf1701

I have had some weird stuff if the case isn't earthed properly before (the power cable was damaged in the pc i was looking at)

Just out of interest I see you say you downloaded the drivers. Presumably from creative.

Are you running XP? Have you tried it with the standard XP drivers? Does it do the same thing?

I'm running win2k, I've tried using the drivers on the cd and also the latest creative drivers. No difference.

Couldnt tell you about the case and earthing, don't know that stuff