Crackly Sound in Windows

Blisterman

The last few days, I've been experiencing a problem in Windows.
I start up my computer, the sound is fine, but after a while, anywhere between 15 minutes and 2 hours later, the sound suddenly becomes all crackly and distorted, like sound recordings from the 20s. It doesn't go away until I restart windows.
I've tried plugging in external speakers, and it's still crackly.
It's also, not any particular program that's causing this. At first I thought iTunes was the problem, so I used my computer for a while, not using iTunes, and it still happened.
It's also not MSN messenger, or Skype.
I'm running windows XP, on a fujitsu siemens laptop.
If anyone could help me find out what the problem might be, I'd really appreciate it.

8T8

Could a sound card driver update that perhaps came down the pipe via Windows Update been the cause ?

Check the roll back driver function for the sound card in the device manager and see if there is a previous entry

Install anything software wise recently ?

Sound crackling noises are a very tough one to pin down, maybe it's a heat issue perhaps ?

Blisterman

Well, I tried seeing if the sound drivers had changed, and they hadn't.
I've noticed, it never happens half way through listening to something. Only when I change song, or when there's nothing playing, and I start playing something.

8T8

That is unusual well you got nothing to lose by trying updating the driver as that was not the cause in the first place.

Do you know the make of the chip usually it will say in the device manager.

coghlac3

I've had the same issue for ages now and can find not obvious cause, and therefore no solution either! Head is wrecked!!!

maceocc2

This probably down to another process running in the background using to much resources. Happens to mine some times.

Next time it happens use ctrl + alt + del to see how much of the CPU is being used and then see whats using it. If the process is not inportant kill it and see if it makes a difference.