PLS, help me to solf this problem! I've even bought that Creative HD Software version just to listen at a good quality my music on a laptop ( I'm travelling enough to not afford to have speakers and external audio board with me all the time)
I have Vista Home premium, C2D 5250, 2G Ram, 160@7200rpm, Nvidia 8600gs.
Thanks alot in advance... really!
Just to check this is not related to the "Serious Audio Problems" thread here, can you confirm that it still has the same problem if you play through headphones.
Thanks Bill for yr extremely fast feedback!
I have the same problem with and w/o headsets/speakers.
I don't wanna be rude, but I think it's kind of important this issue I have. Why? Let me tell you:
We are here few friends which we've bought same machine in the same time for pretty much same reasons. All of us have the same problem.
Another thing which made this issue important ( I think) is that I've bought Vista just for its "home premium" features which turns to be problematic. Of course, one more reason is that I've paid more than 1000 Euros for this machine (with Vista) and I'll like to have my lappy working properly. Having music playback so enoying is giving me the same end user experience as not being able to play at all.
One more is that under XP the computer play & run flawless. No issues at any kind.
I also didn't had the chance to choose XP over Vista because Dell was not giving Xp anylonger and "forced" us to have this machine with Vista and with problems.
Now, why I'm not happy: I don't wanna drop this computer just because Vista. I like Vista and I'll love to have my music playback smoothly. I was researching alot before having the decision to post here. I don't want to give people something to do as long as I can fix by myself ( as I did in XP ) but looks like I really cannot find the cause and how to fix this (very important for me and I thin for all those end-users which they wanna have a really good "end-user experience").
So, please, guide me in the right direction to have this one done. It will help me and all those users which will search on internet about how to fix it. ( and I believe they are several of them)
PS: I've forgot to mention: it is happening mostly when I'm openning a new application ( IE, Outlook, etc), but also when I'm minimizing/maximizing them.
Thanks much one more time!
Paul.
This doesn't sound like the problem I am chasing, so I probably can't be of much help.
Someone who contacted me via this list has found his problem with a desktop machine. It turned out to be a usb security dongle's software interrupting the audio.
Some of the symptoms you describe are sometimes the result of video drivers clashing with the audio processes, so it might be worth checking for updates and perhaps trying different video settings. Beyond that I have no suggestions. Sorry.
I have everything updated, and still useless. I was thinking it may be someting driver related or some Vista security issue... but have no idea about how to find that out 
Also, the system(s) performed as described from the very first moment.
Thanks...
Same problem here. It's definitely not fixed by listening through headphones. In fact, I think the problem is more symptomatic than just music. It's not too hard to see a slight lag in the mouse movement as well...the computer just isn't running smoothly. Assuming this problem isn't happening to everyone, I'd guess it's some hardware issue with the processor...but if it is happening to everyone, then clearly it's a vista issue that needs a patch. Either way, this is *** that my brand new, hooked-up computer is running terribly...
Get this, updating my *video* drivers (latest from ATI) fixed the cracking of my sound. Must be something to do with Aero (windows new GUI). Try updating your video drivers, worked for me!
Jay
Hi all,
I am thinking of reinstall 1420 to XP. Besides the audio issue, any other critical issue after installing XP? i saw the Dell website doesn't have the driver for Bluetooth too. how about the Display card driver?
Regards,
hclai
I uninstalled the "sigmatel whatever high definition audio codec" (driver from dell), and leaves this machine use default vista driver (High Definition Audio Device). Seems like the problem is now reduced (not so much crackling). hurm hurmm... sigmatel driver problem? what do u guys think?
Did you installed XP?
How's the sound now?
Bests,
Paul.
hclai wrote:
Hi all,
I am thinking of reinstall 1420 to XP. Besides the audio issue, any other critical issue after installing XP? i saw the Dell website doesn't have the driver for Bluetooth too. how about the Display card driver?
Regards,
hclai
I've also tried that, but after uninstalling the Sigmatel (from Dell) driver and installing the Windows default one, I wasn't able to hear anything (the sound levels were playing like the music was playing, but no sound on speakers), so, I've installed the January version of Sigmatel. Looks like the problem is now reduced (not so much crackling), but still it's there. Actually, there is a very small difference between the January version of Sigmatel and the August version for the same driver. Another problem is that Sigmatel is not giving any support for that. I've heard they were bought by some other company and now the only support we can get is from Dell website, which is giving nothing...
PS: how come u was able to hear the music with the default Win driver and I wasnt? Did I made something wrong...(wondering myself)...
Thanks for yr feedback,
Paul
Hi, I uninstalled the "sigmatel whatever high definition audio codec" (driver from dell), and leaves this machine use default vista driver (High Definition Audio Device). Seems like the problem is now reduced (not so much crackling). hurm hurmm... sigmatel driver problem? what do u guys think?
Thanks. Good advice, but unfortunatelly, my 1420 has nVidia, and as far as I know there is only one driver for it.
I've tried to re-install it, but no changes. I've also tried to find another dirver, but no luck...
...
Looks like these brand new machines with Vista as defauld OS, are performing soo bad (dual core, 2G mem, 120 Video RAM, 7200 rpm,...and so on,...), and that, considering they suppose to be "media" oriented, bringing so called "cutting edge tech" to consumer/end user.
I don't even wan't to mention about the microphone volume which is basically un-existent... and they are two of them. Have no idea what's wrong with them.
I was thinking to go back 2 years and buy an 100% XP compatible notebook... 
Thanks!
I had similar problems, my audio had cracks and pops and quick intermittent spots while it played. Get this, updating my *video* drivers (latest from ATI) fixed the cracking of my sound. Must be something to do with Aero (windows new GUI). Try updating your video drivers, worked for me!
Jay
