Who else has X-Fi crackling, hissing, popping or screeching?

0blivious · *Last edited by 0blivious; 04-28-2006 at 05:56.*

There seems to be some big problems with the (excellent when they work) X-Fi line of cards. It's hard to really guage how many, but lots of people are having crackling, popping, hissing and the occasional "screech of death" with this card. I hope those of you with this card series could share your experiences with it, good or bad.

I have the X-Fi Platinum, and it has issues in my rig. Ive had all the symptoms listed above at one point or another, but my main problem has been crackling sounds. Mine are mainly when in Entertainment mode. They happen when it's idle, when gaming or playing movies or music. When I leave it in gaming mode (and I have to leave it there), it works much better, though I still hear occasional cracks in the background when idle. In fact it is making a little crackle every 10-20 seconds or so as I write this post.

I've read through the (currently) 156 page post on the Creative site, and I've been actively posting there as well.
(Link to the Creative forum thread)

This seems to affect alot of people running NForce4 chipsets, though it seems it's not just them. People with VIA chipset have experienced it as well.

Some people mention RMAing the card, but I don't think a bad card is my problem nor is the issue that most others have. I bought this card for my recent build, but I also had the chance to run it in my old Dell Dimension 4550 for a couple of weeks as I was waiting on money for other parts for my build. On that system, this card worked absolutely flawlessly and it sounded incredible. It immediately started having the crackling issues when I put it in my new build with an Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe motherboard (based on an NForce4 x16 chipset).

I have no doubt the card would work fine if I put it back in my old system. I tried an old Audigy 5.1 card in this new build, and it worked great, but obviously isn't near the sound quality that I've heard first hand out of my X-Fi.

This issue is alot bigger than Creative will seem to admit to, and I don't think it's Nvidia's problem, especially considering that the NForce4 chipset was already out when Creative released the X-Fi line. The stuff they suggest you try (most of which I've already tried) is borderline rediculous. "Disable this feature of your motherboard"... "Disable this other feature too"... Even if those suggestions worked, which they don't, you shouldn't have to disable a single function on your pc to make a soundcard work properly. I could live with simply changing pci slots, moving wires away from the card, or just re-installing the driver, but none of those work either. Some people have gone as far as re-installing their OS to see if that would work (it didn't). Others have RMA'd their cards only to experience the exact same thing with the new card.

This card sounds soooo good when it works, and music sounds so much better in entertainment mode than it does in gaming mode. I just wish it would work. I bought it from newegg, and only afterwards when it had issues did I see that, unlike most of my other parts, it was non-returnable.

This issue is really starting to get on my nerves, especially after plunking down nearly $200 on this card. Creative is well known for long delays between driver updates, but at this point I'd be happy with a hot-fix if possible. I'm really hoping it's a driver issue and not a hardware one.

I hate to say it, but I wouldn't recommend to anyone looking to purchase a card to get this one. I'd stick with the Audigy 2 or 4 until these issues have been resolved, if they ever are.
[/soapbox]

Pogo · 04-28-2006, 17:01 | posts: 161 | Location: Western Australia

Nope, my X-Fi is an absolute gem. Zero problems ever since I got it.
Am I just lucky or does this happen alot with the X-Fi cards?

Fruitrience.hk · 04-29-2006, 03:43 | posts: 277 | Location: Australia

Not sure, but my X-fi is absolutely fine

doiknowy0u · 04-29-2006, 08:03 | posts: 167 | Location: LA

who cares about the xfi... they released the same card in like 5 different versions! of course im exaggerating. but if u have problems, i think u should stick with my trusty old 24bit audigy 2zs plat =) im so satisified, cept that it doesnt work with windows x64 due to drivers. lol sorry guys i jus felt like mentioning my awesome 2zs

GenClaymore · 04-29-2006, 14:24 | posts: 5,081 | Location: Michigan,usa

I dont have any of those problems that you having. Well I haven yet. Try setting the pci lat to 64 if you have that setting in your bios, to see if that fix it for you.

0blivious · 04-29-2006, 16:36 | posts: 848 | Location: Steilacoom, WA USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by GenClaymore

I dont have any of those problems that you having. Well I haven yet. Try setting the pci lat to 64 if you have that setting in your bios, to see if that fix it for you.

Thanks for the suggestion, but I've already tried that, as well as setting it at 128, and I think down to 16. There are a few other settings I could try, but I'm thinking that's not the magic bios setting which will cure it.

I've tried numerous bios settings and configurations with no change in my X-Fi's behavior, and occasionally I fubar my system to where I have to clear the bios with the little jumper to recover.

Speaking of which, whoever designed this A8N32-SLI motherboard and placed that jumper behind the #2 pci-x16 slot release lever should be shot. Trying to get big man hands in there to move that thing is way too difficult.

It's good to hear that the rest of you are having success with this card. I've heard it when it works right in my old system, and it totally kicks ass. That's why I'm trying to hold out until a possible solution is found. Otherwise, I'm gonna put this X-Fi in my daughter's computer and get myself an Audigy2 ZS Platinum or an Audigy4.

Also, if you guys could list your motherboard and chipset, I'm curious as to what this card does work on. Thanks.

Copey · 04-29-2006, 16:57 | posts: 10,646 | Location: U.K

ive got an ECS KN1 EXTREME LITE , Nforce 4 sli , and i havent had any problems with mine yet

NemoShotYaNY · 04-30-2006, 07:25 | posts: 89 | Location: Maryland

Mines runs fine, so does the other five that i have recently installed. No problems whatsoever.

die4die · 04-30-2006, 07:35 | posts: 124

you didn't by any chance enabled the digital setting when you don't have a digital speaker right cuz my friend did that and it caused him to have screeching sounds........nvm if that's not the case.

SWEBarb · 04-30-2006, 11:28 | posts: 60 | Location: Sweden

WTF creative still havent fixed this **** ?

GenClaymore · 04-30-2006, 12:51 | posts: 5,081 | Location: Michigan,usa

Quote:

Originally Posted by SWEBarb

WTF creative still havent fixed this **** ?

Not every one has that problem, just unlucky people.

0blivious have you tried putting it in the last pci slot thats where i have mine.I know DFI NF4 mobos used to have problems with the X-FI cards but they dont any more.

Also maybe a small hs on the X-FI chip may help. because another person in some thread here had bought one with a heat sink on it. I still thinking why its happing to you . Because like I said I have a NF4 chipset mobo also and it isnt doing it for me hmm.

LouieV · *Last edited by LouieV; 04-30-2006 at 13:11.*

I have a VIA chipset (K8V Deluxe) and am using the X-FI Xtreme Music. The card is installed in the last PCI slot and I haven't encountered any problems here. Which driver are you using? The one from the CD or one of the newer updates? Have you tried one of the updated drivers or moving the card to a different PCI slot? Is the card sharing an IRQ with any other device?

0blivious · 04-30-2006, 14:34 | posts: 848 | Location: Steilacoom, WA USA

In reply to all the questions:

Digital output is not turned on. (Maybe I'll turn it on, that's something I haven't tried LOL)

I've checked and there are no IRQ conflicts.

I've tried changing the PCI Latency settings.

My card is in the lowest pci slot on my board, away from everything else. I've tried all 3 available pci slots already, with no success.

I have tried using the driver from the cd, the latest driver from Creative, as well as the beta driver which has a time limit on it. All behaved the same as far as my issues are concerned.

One suggestion I haven't tried is putting a heatsink on the X-Fi chip. I will try that as soon as I can, but I honestly don't have high hopes as there have been folks who RMA'd their cards, gotten one with a heatsink, and the issue persisted. But, I'm game to try some bizarre overkill heatsink and see how it works.

I just don't know if it's heat since it worked great in my other computer. But, perhaps the interior case temp was cooler...?

Thanks for all the suggestions, everyone.

CTman · 05-02-2006, 12:25 | posts: 1,999 | Location: Holland

Look at this article:

http://www.*****.com/home.php?page=A...read&arc_id=76

I thought that Microsoft was a monopolist, but creative is even worse.
Think afterwards Microsoft isn't that bad: Microsoft supports (on paper and mainly security fixes) windows me june/juli 2006 and windows 2000 until 2005 late. These MS products are more than 5 years old. I have bought creative jukebox 2 in 2003 and it is now not supported anymore in firmware and software term in 2004, there are still bugs in the jukebox 2.

ROBSCIX · *Last edited by ROBSCIX; 05-02-2006 at 21:37.*

When you buy any piece of computer electronics you always run the risk of getting a bad unit..They are made so fast that they fly off the assembly line..When the X_fi's were just starting to hit the market I and a few other guys in this forum told people WAIT,WAIT,WAIT!!! Do not buy the first models..wait untill the issues start popping up and they will everytime then you know what you might be running into when you buy one...Buy one if it doesn't work take it back... WHen so many units are being made it's only mathematics that a certin number will fail and even more would fail with specific issues...they don't want the units back so if they have all these issues they try and make patches that will fix the largest amount of cards with a certain issue, and take a loss on ones with a little know issue...Make sense? It' is big business and your right it is very shady stuff for sure.. Guys have went through this with almost every sound and video card out there...It's very unfortunate that you pay all this money and the device doesn't work as it's supposed to..

disfigured_LmKi · 05-03-2006, 23:42 | posts: 592 | Location: Lowell MA

I had posted a small problem with some very faint "scratching" noises. I thought when I disable my 24bitCrystalizer they seemed to go away. For all intents and purposes it did go away.

Just now it's come back again. I began dicking around with the settings in the Creative panel but to no avail. So I checked my Windows settings and tried muting things. When I muted the LineIn/Mic2 the scratching dissappeared. Like an on and off switch.

I'd be happy with the fix, but it seems more confusing then satisfiying. My problem is so faint it makes no diffrence in my games so it hasn't been an issue. I'm just being anal, so when I'm sitting at my comp doing what I'm doing now it doesn't bug me.

Who knows? Maybe this tiny bit of info might help someone.

warrior · 05-04-2006, 00:06 | posts: 408 | Location: West Virginia

Running mine(XFi Extreme) on a MSI 865PE Neo3 Intel Motherboard No Issues whatsoever as far as popping or Hissing noises..been running perfect since day one...sorry for your problems.....

Jagman · 05-04-2006, 00:09 | posts: 1,746 | Location: Kent, UK

No problems here either, only had it a week mind you

Jamesusg · 05-04-2006, 00:17 | posts: 183

Well I unplugged the floppy power lead from the front panel x-fi bay for weeks now all the popping/crackling have Vanished. I rather do without the remote & inputs then have all that.

0blivious · 05-04-2006, 01:37 | posts: 848 | Location: Steilacoom, WA USA

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jamesusg

Well I unplugged the floppy power lead from the front panel x-fi bay for weeks now all the popping/crackling have Vanished. I rather do without the remote & inputs then have all that.

I tried unplugging the IDE cable from the card itself (no dice), but I haven't tried just removing the power from the front panel. It seems it would have the same effect as what I tried, but what the heck, it's worth a shot!

Right now it sounds like there's a fresh bowl of rice krispies in front of me...

*listens to the snap crackling currently playing thru speakers*

Mr_ALLroy · 05-04-2006, 01:44 | posts: 1,646 | Location: Calgary Canada®

I hate to admit it, but I have no issues with my current setup. But when I had a A8N-SLI, I had issues with reboots taking forever. X-Fi and Nforce 4 chipsets don't like eachother me thinks.

KoukiFC3S · 05-04-2006, 07:59 | posts: 361

I do hear some slight cracks right now.
Abit AN8 SLI.

ROBSCIX · 05-04-2006, 16:11 | posts: 16,079 | Location: Guru3D Audio Lab

AS another user pointed out. Sometimes if you disable-mute your inputs that your not using it fixes this issue...so mute your line in, mic-in,line2,midi..etc SOmetimes these inputs become very sensitive and they pickup signals from the bus and you hear weird sound when you move the mouse or do anything...

KoukiFC3S · 05-04-2006, 16:24 | posts: 361

Seems like updating my chipset drivers fixed it... maybe.

pantsmachine · 05-04-2006, 19:42 | posts: 1,070 | Location: SCOTLAND

Running an xfi music for a couple of months now and no worries. Most recent drivers off crerative site f***ed up the GUI and various other bits so went back to originals, can you RMA it or warranty claim back to creative? Unlucky mate, have you tried it in a mates rig to see if its the card or something else in ur rig?