Eleven Rack makes Clicking/Popping Sounds
 

SiSoftware Sandra

Computer
Workgroup : WORKGROUP
Host Name : company-f1a6739
User : Edward C

Processor
Model : AMD Athlon(tm) 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+
Speed : 2.21GHz
Cores per Processor : 2 Unit(s)
Threads per Core : 1 Unit(s)
Type : Dual-Core
Integrated Data Cache : 2x 64kB, Synchronous, Write-Back, 2-way, Exclusive, 64 byte line size
L2 On-board Cache : 2x 512kB, ECC, Synchronous, Write-Back, 16-way, Exclusive, 64 byte line size

Computer
Platform Compliance : AMD LIVE!
BIOS : Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 09/23/2006
Bus(es) : ISA X-Bus PCI PCIe IMB USB i2c/SMBus
Multi-Processor (MP) Support : No
Multi-Processor Advanced PIC (APIC) : Yes
Total Memory : 3.25GB DIMM DDR2

Chipset
Model : AMD Athlon 64 / Opteron HT Hub
Front Side Bus Speed : 2x 1GHz (2GHz)
Total Memory : 4GB DIMM DDR2
Memory Bus Speed : 2x 316MHz (632MHz)

Memory Module(s)
Memory Module : (Bad Id) 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-5300U DDR2-666 (5-5-5-15 3-20-5-3)
Memory Module : Kingston 2G-UDIMM 2GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5-5-5-18 3-23-6-3)
Memory Module : Kingston 99U5315-052A00LF 1GB DIMM DDR2 PC2-6400U DDR2-800 (5-5-5-18 3-23-6-3)

Video System
Video Adapter : NVIDIA GeForce 7600 GS (12 PS3.0, 5 VS3.0 401MHz, 256MB 2x398MHz, PCIe 1.00 x16)

Graphics Processor

Storage Devices
WDC WD3200JS-00PDB0 (320GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, NCQ, 8MB Cache) : 298GB (C:) (E:)
WDC WD10EADS-11M2B3 (999.5GB, USB/SATA300, 3.5", NCQ, 32MB Cache) : 931GB (H:)
Sony Storage Media 2GB (USB) : 2GB (I:)
WDC WD5000AADS-00S9B0 (500.1GB, USB/SATA300, 3.5", NCQ, 32MB Cache) : 466GB (J:)
TSSTcorp CD/DVDW SH-S182D (ATAPI, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache) : N/A (D:)
WD Virtual CD 1110 (USB) : 668MB (G:)

Logical Storage Devices
Hard Disk (C:) : 98GB (NTFS) @ WDC WD3200JS-00PDB0 (320GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, NCQ, 8MB Cache)
backup (E:) : 200GB (NTFS) @ WDC WD3200JS-00PDB0 (320GB, SATA300, 3.5", 7200rpm, NCQ, 8MB Cache)
Optical Drive (D:) : N/A @ TSSTcorp CD/DVDW SH-S182D (ATAPI, DVD+-RW, CD-RW, 2MB Cache)
3.5" 1.44MB (A:) : N/A
WD SmartWare (G:) : 443MB (UDF) @ WD Virtual CD 1110 (USB)
My Book (H:) : 931GB (NTFS) @ WDC WD10EADS-11M2B3 (999.5GB, USB/SATA300, 3.5", NCQ, 32MB Cache)
Removable Drive (I:) : 2GB (FAT32) @ Sony Storage Media 2GB (USB)
Backup 2 (J:) : 466GB (NTFS) @ WDC WD5000AADS-00S9B0 (500.1GB, USB/SATA300, 3.5", NCQ, 32MB Cache)

Peripherals
LPC Hub Controller 1 : ECS nForce4 PCI to ISA Bridge
LPC Legacy Controller 1 : ITE IT8716F
Audio Device : ECS nForce4 AC'97 Audio Controller
Audio Device : Creative Labs SB0570 [SB Audigy SE]
Parallel Port(s) : 1
Disk Controller : ECS nForce4 Parallel ATA Controller
Disk Controller : ECS nForce4 Serial ATA Controller
Disk Controller : ECS nForce4 Serial ATA Controller
USB Controller 1 : ECS nForce4 USB Controller
USB Controller 2 : ECS nForce4 USB 2.0 Controller
SMBus/i2c Controller 1 : nVidia MCP2+ SMBus 1
SMBus/i2c Controller 2 : nVidia MCP2+ SMBus 2

Network Services
Network Adapter : NVIDIA nForce Networking Controller - Packet Scheduler Miniport

Power Management
Mains (AC) Line Status : On-Line

Operating System
Windows System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600 (Service Pack 2)
Platform Compliance : x86

Performance Tips
Warning 100 : Large memory sizes should be made of Registered/Buffered memory.
Tip 2546 : Large memory modules should be ECC/Parity.
Tip 2 : Double-click tip or press Enter while a tip is selected for more information about the tip.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

First of all, thanks for reading all this! It's a lot, but I really need some help.
My Eleven Rack makes clicking/popping/buzzing noises whenever it playbacks something. I noticed this first when I tried to use a Pro Tools instrument and a Reason synth. The unwanted noises are not constant; happens only if something is being played. For a weird reason, it also distorts the Mini-Grand instrument on Pro Tools. I do not have studio monitors, so I use my headphones that I plug into the Eleven Rack phone output. My interfaces, MIDI controller, external hard drives are all plugged straight to the computer. My computer only has USB ports.

What I've done:
-I thought it might be that my computer couldn't handle the M-Audio Axiom Pro midi controller and Eleven Rack plugged into it at the same time, so I tried unplugging the Axiom. Then I opened up ProTools LE again, but the same thing happened when I played with the instruments with my mouse.
-I've lowered my processor from 2 to 1 (this to solve the problem with that annoying "CPU running out" issue)
-I've increased the buffer to the max.
-It's not the headphones either because I tried using them through my M-Audio Fast Track Pro and they work fine.
-I "directed" my sound output to be the Eleven Rack (making all output sounds come from my headphones plugged into Eleven Rack instead of my speakers). Then I played some songs on iTunes and it does the same thing. I hear popping/crackling sounds when the music is playing, but they immediately stop when I pause the song.
-I've noticed that my sound card goes wack from time to time...I had to update the firmware and re-install a couple of times to get it to work again. It crashes on its own at times when I open the volume control on the bottom right hand corner. I don't think it has anything to do with my main problem, but it's still annoying...

Thanks for helping!

Re: Eleven Rack makes Clicking/Popping Sounds
 

clicks and pops are usually the hdd. which hdd is your audio drive, and do you have the necessary motherboard sata drivers loaded?
edit: and turn off the network controller.
Mike.

Re: Eleven Rack makes Clicking/Popping Sounds
 

im not sure if i fully understand the question (i know very little about computers)
my audio card? its creative audigy
the drivers should be installed? i've been using the internal hard drive the whole time (sorry, i dont really get the question)

Re: Eleven Rack makes Clicking/Popping Sounds
 

are you recording to USB drives? USB drives are not supported, that can cause your clicking problem. another internal 7200RPM drive or an external 7200RPM drive hooked up via Firewire or preferably (for external) E-SATA is needed.

Your ram is mismatched. The timing are different and can cause many problems. But even if the ram is not a problem, by installing ram with a lower timing (5300) your other ram (6400) has to be down clocked by the Bios, so at minimum you are not getting the performance you should be getting.


You have an AMD Dual core. You will need to install the AMD dual core optimizer.

You are on XP SP2, you should update to SP3.


I use E-Sata drives with no problems, and prefer them over Firewire personally.

Re: Eleven Rack makes Clicking/Popping Sounds
 

That's going to eventually make using a computer recording system a little difficult, isn't it?
Your RAM is mis-matched. Very mis-matched. Doing this will usually cause problems in a Pro Tools system. It is definitely recommended to use matched sets of memory. There is only one drive here that would be qualified for using as a Pro Tools audio drive, and you are using it for the system, which makes it NOT qualified. You need to be using a qualified hard drive for storing your Pro Tools sessions. USB drives are not supported or recommended for this purpose. The system drive is not supported or recommended for this purpose.
Audigy cards are known to be problematic when used in a Pro Tools system. It is recommended to remove the audigy card.
You should consider upgrading to Service Pack 3.

Have you tried changing the USB ports that you are plugging into? Have you made sure to set XP so that it does not power down the USB ports?

Re: Eleven Rack makes Clicking/Popping Sounds
 

Thanks for the help.
I tried changing the usb ports and that fixed it...embarrassing..
I'm also heading over to return my WD My Book and get an eSATA external hard drive like you suggested and probably get another 1Gig stick of Kingston ram. The problem was that the (Bad Id) ram was 5300 while the Kingstons were 6400, right? (I'm gonna take the (Bad Id) ram out and replace it)
I am also updating my SP2 to a SP3 and installing the Dual-Core Optimizer.
Hopefully, all this will eliminate any more errors!

I'm also gonna get a new sound card. The Creative Audigy sucks anyways

Re: Eleven Rack makes Clicking/Popping Sounds
 

Creative audigys cause problems? i havent had a problem with it in my PT system, i just didnt install the driver in windows 7, and im stable for the most part. (i say for the most part because i get the unexpected 68xx error) i wonder if it has anything to do with it.

As for your system, i would deffinatly get a new internal HDD, completely get rid of the memory you have installed and get some matched stuff. It will improve stability.

Nick

Re: Eleven Rack makes Clicking/Popping Sounds
 

;)

They have historically been problematic. Some users claim to have no problems with them, but several users that I have helped over time had problems that nothing but removing the audigy solved.

Re: Eleven Rack makes Clicking/Popping Sounds
 

I had this happen but I just load up Pro Tools and it stops. I believe it is improper boot order (always boot computer up last!) and nothing to do with hard drives. I sometimes just want to turn my laptop on and everything else is on my power conditioner. Today, I had my video drive attached and had the popping noise. Pro Tools did something by loading it that fixed it, but I just remembered that Pro Tools hardware does not like to be turned on later.

Re: Eleven Rack makes Clicking/Popping Sounds
 

D: i just got my eleven rack, and now i too, am getting clicks and pops! that audigy is COMING OUT XD

Nick