Gateway ID49C04H - Audio Sound Crack Pop Issue

Hi guys,

Thanks for dropping in to my thread.

First off, I have run out of all possible options within my skill level so am seeking out help from more knowledgeable folks on the net.

I have a Gateway laptop, purchased used. Model is ID49C04H - so a part of the ID49c series I suppose.

Ok so I will describe the issue and symptoms and replication of error to the best of my knowledge and what I have done so far to try to fix it.

First off, I have a universal adapter plug attached to a power adapter that is not originally for this model. This laptop also has no battery at the moment so is powered directly via the power adapter.

This laptop has been freshly reformatted and is installed with WINDOWS 7 X64 ULTIMATE.

All updates and drivers are up to date - I used Driver Booster to automatically install all drivers and did a full registry clean up with CCleaner at the end - spent 2 days updating.

ISSUE

I never actually tested the audio during all the updating. When I started to test it, by way of the task bar sound icon and dragging the bar up and down - I get the default sound followed by a crack / pop.

This crack / pop also happens about 3-4 times during fresh boot up when Windows enter its final stages and plays its music before the desktop appears. This crack / pop also plays again when I shut down or restart Windows - so whenever sound is required I suppose.

I tried Youtube and you get sound at the beginning for a fraction of a second or so before it enters crack / pop and than complete silence.

SOLUTIONS TRIED SO FAR

1. I tried disabling the default drivers installed by driver booster - High Definition Sound Driver - no use.
2. Uninstalling and reinstalling the sound drivers directly supplied by Gateway - helped somewhat but it seems the crack / pop is more apparent on the right speaker beside the power plug area.
3. I also tried disabling all the sound playback enhancements etc, and letting the system run cleanly without any add on "Effects" - helped a little but like only 5% improvement so not even close.
4. I also tried changing the audio format - CD, DVD, studio and to different Hz, no use.
5. I increased the minimum CPU power to 100% during plugged in - no use.
6. I tried to just directly test the sound via the sound icon properties and for the 2-3 seconds of the test duration (The Test sound pla icon), from left to right it will succeed 75% of the duration test time before ending in a pop / crackle - every time so this issue can be replicated.
7. Directly plugged in a head phone set into the aux port and the sound is fine. So only internal speakers have issue.

I found these above suggested fixes and solutions on Google but nothing seems to work.

You can tell the internal speakers are fine because for that fraction of a second or even 1-2 seconds when it does play initially - whether it is Youtube or the sound properties tests, the sound is amazing.

Someone mentioned this could be a driver / hardware conflict or maybe even a bios issue that is shutting down the speakers before it even gets a chance to work.

I have no idea what to do anymore, and am hoping a sound or audio professional IT an help me out here.

THOUGHTS

1. I have thought about reformatting the system again, reinstlaling all windows updates first than installing all drivers DIRECTLY from the manufacturer's website rather than driver booster - but this is odd as i've always used driver boosters for my dozen or so computers at home and never had such an issue.

2. Take apart the laptop, check for loose wiring?

3. Could it be water damage?

Feel free to ask any questions you may have and I will do my best to carry it out.

Thank you for your time.

plodr said:

Did you install the chipset driver?
Intel Chipset Driver 9.1.1.1024 2.3 MB 2010/06/30

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Hey plodr,

Not sure exactly. Is there anyway I can check what the driver is for this chipset? I've never done a complete chipset driver uninstall / reinstall so probably best I check for the chipset driver first that is already installed?

I used Driver booster pro's automatic install for all my drivers. As mentioned before, I've never really had any issue with driver booster's automatic driver install before - maybe a small USb issue on another computer ages ago but it was easily rectified.

This here has me stuck.

gus said:

Hello arcadiax, and welcome to PCHF.
No help from me, but can I just compliment you on your original post with great information to work with?

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LOL thanks gus!! Just having you drop in means alot to me. At least people aren't ignoring my pleas for help.

vger said:

Hello

Hopefully some of our members will chime in soon.
@phillpower2 @Twitch6000

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Thanks Vger!!!

gus said:

That is not a smart move, you should only EVER get drivers from the hardware manufacturers site. This may even be your problem?

Get your drivers HERE only

These are listed for your machine

View attachment 3297

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Thanks Gus!

So yes, I reformatted the laptop and reinstalled the critical drivers directly from Gateway.

Windows updates has not ad all its updates done yet but I just wanted to see if it was indeed an driver issue.

Currently it is still having the exact same symptoms.

I will wait and see if anyone else has any solutions...

phillpower2 said:

If I may chime in with an observation folks


The above suggests that this is hardware as opposed to software related, this because speakers do not require any drivers to function and the drivers for the audio chip are obviously fine else no sound would come from the aux port.

The only solution other than disabling the onboard sound and using a USB audio device.

The problem may not be a loose speaker connection but another loose connection coming into contact with something that it shouldn't, it does need investigating further in case something gets shorted out.

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Hi phill,

Do you know perhaps which loose connection it may be? Could it be the power plug in port area since that is also where the right speaker is located. It seems the issue is more prevalent with the right speaker close to the power port.

In addition I currently don't have a battery inside the laptop and am using an universal adapter plug coupled with another adapter that was not originally for this laptop.

worse comes to worse, should i buy new internal speakers and replace them? Is it worth it?

phillpower2 said:

Hello arcadiax,

Couldnt begin to hazard a guess what coild be loose tbh and the only way to find out would be to open up the notebook.

Much easier and safer to use a USB device like the example the here

If you have a tech store local to you, ask them if they carry compatible batteries for your notebook and if so could they test your sound by fitting a known good battery.

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Yes in terms of the battery, I have already found the compatible model for it on Ebay, but I am in no rush to order it.

I would think, like you said, the easiest way is to just buy a USB powered mini speaker for this laptop and just leave it at that.

I am just sometimes skeptical in having things being operated with faults, small personal pet peeve I guess but nothing in life is ever perfect.

This laptop was purchased for only 10.00 CAD lol. i originally bought this in hopes of reformatting it and getting it ready to go as a christmas gift for my little niece.

i guess i will get her something else this year and keep this laptop for future uses.

i am just as baffled as most people here i guess because usually, when we think of having something shorted, it would be more broad rather than isolated? again, i am no technician.