Alright, I’m throwing this out to the entire Lockergnome Nexus: something on my system is FUBAR’d to hell, and I need serious help. I’ve searched Google. I’ve searched Microsoft. I’ve even gone so far as to get support for my audio recording applications, sound card, and motherboard. I’ve come up with nothing.

Here’s my problem: when I’m recording something, anything, my system will suddenly start to record static, and I can’t figure out why.

Here’s my system setup:

  • AMD 1.5Ghz
  • 2GB RAM
  • 150GB HDD
  • On-board audio (ASUS motherboard), currently disabled
  • Sound Blaster Live! PCI Card
  • WinFast TV Card
  • Windows XP SP 2, fully updated

Here’s the full problem:

  • When I’m normally recording, I’ll suddenly record static for no apparent reason. There’s no other event that signals this is about to happen, and it happens at random intervals (and sometimes not at all). Sometimes it’s prefaced with a short system lock, other times the program will freeze momentarily, and sometimes nothing will happen.
  • This happens in any program that records audio: UStream, Audition, SndRec, Skype, Google Talk, etc…
  • What’s interesting is that in Adobe Audition the static will only be recorded on the left or right channels, and sometimes it will be on both channels.
  • I don’t hear the static in my headset, and when I speak into the microphone the headset plays back my voice, not static.
  • I can listen to music/movies/etc just fine. Never any burst noise problem. I can also listen to music/movies/etc while the static is being recorded.
  • The static does not go away until I restart the program. I don’t have to restart the machine.
  • If I record in two programs at the same time the static is sometimes in one program or sometimes in both programs.
  • No, restarting the machine does not help.
  • I have two sound cards: one Sound Blaster Live! and the on-board audio. I’ve tried using one at a time and both at the same time, but the problem persists despite the hardware.
  • I’ve uninstalled, installed, and reinstalled drivers for my audio hardware and motherboard.
  • Yes, the machine has sufficient cooling.

Given that this problem occurs on both the on-board audio and the Sound Blaster Live! card, I’m forced to believe this is a software problem, but fresh drivers do nothing. I have no idea what it is. Does anyone out there want to take a stab at this? Anyone? Help me, please 🙁
[tags]technical support, burst noise, omgkittens[/tags]