e6500 crackling audio

Tried downloading latest x64 vista ultimate updates, tried the microsoft high definition audio and nothing changed... Also I've tried disabling the WiFi & Bluetooth drivers (with both Microsoft and IDT HD audio driver) - still nothing. My BIOS version is A06 - latest at this moment.

Anyway, after I disabled eSATA Ports in BIOS the issue decreased and almost disappeared. But shouldn't there be a better workaround without disabling anything?

 

The fixing of the problem could not be in the Intel VT. Correct me, but it is set of CPU instructions that is used with software like VMWare.
eSata is just external "port".
To disable speed step is not a good idea at all... after all the power management of the OS should be using this to lower your CPU power consumption.

The only thing that is left is official new drivers from Dell.

 

Disabling eSATA is not an acceptable option for me. eSATA is one of the reasons I got this over a T400.

I'm scared that this is a system board design issue...

 

I've never heard the crackling audio on my E6400. I have eSATA enabled and have not intentionally disabled anything. I have the Intel graphics and XP, if that is relevant. I don't have Bluetooth or WWAN.

Perhaps someone with some spare time can go through this thread and bring together the various factors and fixes.

John

 

I'm still wondering if people with Intel wireless cards have this problem, or just people with Dell wireless cards. If I can fix the problem by upgrading to an Intel one, I'll shell out the cash.

 

i have intel wifi 5300 and intel graphic running vista, also installed with bluetooth module. the only factor that contribute to my crackling audio is the v8.6 intel matrix storage manager, after restoring v8.2 from dell, everything is fine.

 

I was having no issues, and then installed vista ultimate x64 sp2. I am not sure if that was what started the problems, or not, but my audio is borked again. Why doesn't dell release a new driver? this is ridiculous.

edit -- i have the intel 5300, so it isnt just the dell wireless cards.

 

I have an E4300 and running Server 2008 Standard X64 and I am experiencing this issue. I would describe this as more of a 'stutter'. If I listen to music, it sounds like the singers are stuttering every 10 seconds or so. It's really annoying. Previously, I ran XP Pro (x86) on this laptop and it was fine. The XP install was done under ATA mode, and I switched it to IRRT when I did the Svr 08 install. Unfortunately, if I change it to AHCI or ATA mode now, the OS won't boot. So I don't know if that's the problem or coincidence. Sigh.

 

I followed a previous post and disabled speedstep, esata, and enabled intel VT. It's a little better, not as frequent.. still really annoying.

 

sorry for the post spam, but I noticed that when I alt+tab between windows it is definitely worse. If I just keep hitting alt+tab it's a constant 'stutter'.