Static-like crackle...

[JEBowser]

Avid Support,

I’ve recently purchased Pro Tools 9 with the Mbox to complete my new dedicated music computer, but I get a static-like crackle with all audio applications. I’ve had a couple of very knowledgeable people have a look at it, but no luck yet resolving the issue. I’m hoping someone at Avid Support can help me out. And I apologize in advance if I haven't submitted everything correctly - this is my first post...

1) Sandra Report:

SiSoftware Sandra – January 29, 2012

ID
Host Name : AMD-x2-x4-855
Workgroup : ELOFFS

Computer
Model : GigaByte GA-MA785GM-US2H
Chassis : GigaByte Desktop
Mainboard : GigaByte GA-MA785GM-US2H
BIOS : Award (OEM) F12a 07/08/2010
Total Memory : 5.5GB DIMM DDR2

Processors
Processor : AMD Phenom(tm) II X4 940 Processor (4C 3GHz/3GHz, 1.81GHz IMC, 4x 512kB L2, 6MB L3)

Chipset
Memory Controller : AMD RS780/880 Host Bridge 2x 1.81GHz (3.62GHz) FSB, Integrated Graphics
Memory Controller : AMD F10 Athlon 64/Opteron/Sempron HT Hub 2x 1.81GHz (3.62GHz) FSB, 2x 3GB DIMM DDR2 2x 402MHz (804MHz)

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : G.Skill F2-8500CL5-2GBPK 2GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-8500U DDR2-1066 (5-5-5-15 3-24-6-3)
Memory Module : G.Skill F2-8500CL5-2GBPK 2GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-8500U DDR2-1066 (5-5-5-15 3-24-6-3)
Memory Module : G.Skill F2-6400CL5-1GBNQ 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5-5-5-14 3-23-6-3)
Memory Module : G.Skill F2-6400CL5-1GBNQ 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5-5-5-14 3-23-6-3)

Video System
Video Adapter : ATI Radeon HD 4200 (40 SM4.1, 512MB 32-bit, Integrated Graphics)

Graphics Processor

Storage Devices
WDC WD10EADS-00L5B1 (1TB, SATA300, 3.5", 32MB Cache) : 932GB (D:) (X:)
KINGSTON SSDNOW 30GB (30GB, SATA300, 2.5", SSD) : 28GB (E:)
KINGSTON SNV425S264GB (64GB, SATA300, 2.5", SSD) : 60GB (C:)
WDC WD10EALX-009BA0 (1TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm, 32MB Cache) : 932GB (G:)
Optiarc BD-ROM BR-5100S (SATA150, BD-R, DVD+-R, CD-R, 4MB Cache) : N/A (F:)

Logical Storage Devices
ARCHIVE-2 (D:) : 455GB (NTFS) @ WDC WD10EADS-00L5B1 (1TB, SATA300, 3.5", 32MB Cache)
CAPTURE (E:) : 28GB (NTFS) @ KINGSTON SSDNOW 30GB (30GB, SATA300, 2.5", SSD)
BOOT (C:) : 60GB (NTFS) @ KINGSTON SNV425S264GB (64GB, SATA300, 2.5", SSD)
EWQL CCC (G:) : 932GB (NTFS) @ WDC WD10EALX-009BA0 (1TB, SATA600, 3.5", 7200rpm, 32MB Cache)
ARCHIVE-1 (X:) : 476GB (NTFS) @ WDC WD10EADS-00L5B1 (1TB, SATA300, 3.5", 32MB Cache)
Floppy Disk (A:) : N/A
Optical Drive (F:) : N/A @ Optiarc BD-ROM BR-5100S (SATA150, BD-R, DVD+-R, CD-R, 4MB Cache)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : Giga-Byte IXP SB600/700/800 SMBUS Controller
LPC Hub Controller 2 : ATI (AMD) SB700/800 LPC host controller
LPC Legacy Controller 1 : T0 87-18
Audio Device : Giga-Byte IXP SB600 High Definition Audio Controller
Audio Codec : Realtek Semi Realtek 885 High Definition Audio
Audio Device : Giga-Byte RS880 Audio Device [Radeon HD 4200]
Audio Codec : ATI (AMD) HDMI Audio
Serial Port(s) : 1
Parallel Port(s) : 1
Disk Controller : Giga-Byte SB700/800 SATA Controller [IDE mode]
Disk Controller : Giga-Byte SB700/800 IDE
USB Controller 1 : Giga-Byte SB700/800 USB OHCI0 Controller
USB Controller 2 : Giga-Byte SB700/800 USB OHCI1 Controller
USB Controller 3 : Giga-Byte SB700/800 USB EHCI Controller
USB Controller 4 : Giga-Byte SB700/800 USB OHCI0 Controller
USB Controller 5 : Giga-Byte SB700/800 USB OHCI1 Controller
USB Controller 6 : Giga-Byte SB700/800 USB EHCI Controller
USB Controller 7 : Giga-Byte SB700/800 USB OHCI2 Controller
FireWire/1394 Controller 1 : Giga-Byte TSB43AB23 1394a-2000 OHCI PHY/link-layer Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : ATI SB700 SMBus

Printers and Faxes
Printer : Microsoft XPS Document Writer (600x600, Colour)
Fax : Microsoft Shared Fax Driver (200x200)
Printer : CutePDF Writer (4000x4000, Colour)

Network Services
Network Adapter : Realtek PCIe GBE Family Controller (Ethernet)

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows 7 Home 6.01.7601 (Service Pack 1)
Platform Compliance : x64

Windows Experience Index
Current System : 3.5

2) Optimization performed:

• Required Optimizations

o Run as Administrator - no
o Disable Desktop Composition - don't think so
o Disable System Startup Items - yes, leaving behind essential ones.
o Hard Disk Optimizations - yes
o Turn Off User Account Control - I think so
o Adjust Power Options - yes
o Enable Legacy FireWire Controller (FireWire interfaces only) - no
o Install Latest Device Drivers (Pro Tools 9 only) - yes

• Optional Optimizations

o Adjust Processor Scheduling - no
o Disable Screen Saver - yes
o Display Performance - yes
o Disable USB Power Management (USB interfaces only) - yes

Troubleshooting

• Not Hearing Input or Output - N/a
o Default I/O Setup
o Create New Session With Stereo Mix
• Delete Digidesign Databases and Preferences - no
• Disable Network Adapters - no
• Install iLok / PACE drivers - no
• Create a New User Account - no
• Enable DEP - no
• Other Configurations

And I also disabled the Windows themes and some other non-essential services. Thanks for any advice someone might offer...

[albee1952]

First off, integrated graphics can be a show stopper. Then there is the mis-matched RAM(which may or may not be a problem). Then, you should set Pro Tools to always run as admin, and turn desktop composition OFF(right-click on the PT icon and select Properties. There is a tab where you can check both those choices). Is Pro Tools installed on the C: drive(it should be)?