sound card causing log off/shut down problems windows XP

[markpsych]

Recently installed a new hard drive: http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?topic=8820.0

PC has been running 100% until this week, when started to experience log off & shut down problems.

More commonly occurs when switching user, but also when only one account is open. Coincided with windows sounds (e.g., log on/off) sounding distorted/cutting in & out. Audio otherwise fine (e.g., if steaming music, etc.).

Have tried:

- system file checker
- disabling
- reg checker
- hot fix: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/328934
- Removing majority of software addons
- removing & reinstalling sound card drivers

etc.

Only thing that works is uninstalling video card drivers. No problems at all then???

I'm using an X-Fi XtremeGamer Fatal1ty Pro Series.

Any suggestions?

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Hoov]

Have you tried swapping it with another card?

[markpsych]

No, haven't got one. Shall I try and pick up a cheap one to try before doing anything else? Can you recommend one that should be a safe bet with XP?

Don't need anything fancy, just listen to some cd's and internet radio.

[markpsych]

This is revealing: http://forums.creative.com/t5/Sound-Blaster/X-Fi-driver-2-18-0013-causes-delay-in-OS-system-shutdown/td-p/530368

Tried everything and couldn't rectify, so ended up doing a reformat and fresh OS install.

Have now installed the absolute sound card driver basics, via device manager (as opposed to the software disc), and will leave it at that. So good so far.

[Hoov]

You could have just uninstalled the drivers, and then installed the proper drivers.

[markpsych]

Tried that several times, but it didn't work 

Also tried an OS repair, but the windows updates that followed started failing, and I ended up with a root\system32\ntoskernl.exe error

Thought it best to start fresh.

[markpsych]

Computer has been 100% since last post.

Suddenly distorted sound has reappeared.

Noticeable only on account user log on and offs (log on/off speed doesn't seem effected).

Have tried:

- removing, and reinstalling basic sound card drivers
- system restore (just took it back a few days)
- this tool: http://support.microsoft.com/gp/no_sound

Strange thing is, even with sound disabled (set to 'none') for windows log on and off,  via control panel's 'sound and audio devices'....the sound is still there?

Things that have happended over the past few days, that may have contributed?:

- power cut when pc was running
- installed Kodak printer software
- used windows media player 9 for the 1st time
- received some windows security updates

Otherwise, audio playback appears normal, and PC appears fine.

Anything else I can try?

Thanks 

[Hoov]

How is the sound during startup, shutdown?

[markpsych]

Have been experimenting, and distortion was consistent for account user log ons, switch user, and also just moving task bar volume up and down.

I had no other sounds for start up and shut down (I did check and they are enabled within 'sound and audio devices').

Suddenly a couple of speaker pops, and now no sounds at all. However, other audio playback (e.g., cds/dvds) still works fine.

[markpsych]

After a restart, sounds are back. Currently just distorted on log ons....sorry it's not very consistent!

[Hoov]

Sounds to me like you are having hardware problems. I would run chkdsk on your harddrive, and if that is good, you may want to backup your data and format the drive and reinstall windows. It sounds like your windows installation is slowly eating itself, either thru a hardware error, or file errors.

[markpsych]

Okay thanks.

chkdsk is good.

Do the symtoms point to any hardware in particular (e.g., ram or soundcard)?

Definitely have a recurring pattern now, but only did a fresh reinstall a couple of weeks ago.

[Hoov]

With that specific pattern I would be more willing to say harddrive or memory.