c-media ac97 onboard sound distortion problem

I was using c-media AC97 onboard audio on my PC (running xp) without any problems - until I installed a new sound card so that I could use it's game port for a joystick. After installing the new card I retained the c-media AC97 drivers as the default for sound (I only needed the joystick). Problem now is that there is suddenly a lot of distortion in low frequency sounds (e.g., bass drums, low notes on bass guitar) when playing mp3s. I've tried uninstalling the drivers of the new sound card, and even removing the card altogether, but the distortion remains. Would anyone have any idea why this is happening, and how I can clean up the sound to get back to the original state?

I have the EXACT same problem (found your post from a google search) I think C-MEDIA are generally poor products! I've tried everything you have but still have bad sound. About to scrap it and buy a decent card, you should do the same.

Same problem here. using a Asrock K7VT4A+

I am trying to solve the problem too... but i am afraid that C-media is just low-class products.

Did you guys try to re-install the c-media AC97 drivers also? Try this first as this is the easiest things to do.

And mickeymantle you said you got a new sound card... what is it? It might just be better you never know... lol

Then to make sure it is not your speakers or something, disable the AC97 onborad sound sound in your BIOS (check your motherboard manual to know how to do that), install your new card and its drivers, while making sure you already removed the AC97 drivers.

And also you said you got this ditortion when you played mp3s... is it only when you play mp3s or anything else?

Hi, I reinstalled the drivers in a proper way; uninstalled first, reboot and then installed the latest drivers. No luck either.

It is not particularly a mp3 or video file. it is the problem with some frequencies which are not auditized correctly. Some audio sources are superb because they simply don't use these frequencies.

Not to drag about something, but as a DJ I know when audio is crap or not. I am afraid that the drivers are not that good. I also tried to uninstall the audio tool delivered by C-media, this thing has some nifty features but maybe it conflicts somehow which result in such audio crap.

By the way, it is not the boxes or headphone, I've tested it with other audio devices such as the dvd player and laptop.

Hmm... what's a DJ doing with onboard sound!!! LOL... Jus kiddin man...

Well, was it like this since you got the board or when you installed a new one like the other guy did?

Also make sure, you got exactly the right drivers, and if you can get updated ones on the internet: http://www.asrock.com/support/Download/dl_k7vt4a+.htm

And if all that still doesn't work, consider it as an excuse to buy a new sound card! You can get pretty good ones at cheap prices if you shop around... (I personally have Audigy 2 ZS... I don't even use all the features but I am more than satisfied with it!)

Yeah, this weekend I will plug an extra soundcard into my system, a terratec soundsystem DMX (old card, with digital in/out but only support in win98 :'( ) , this will be my main audio card, as the onboard sound will be used for headset purposes, that way I don't have to reconnect my headset when using Skype etc.

The thing is that the digital-out (optical) is not supported. I would like to have some cool sound when watching an AC3 enabled movie with my home cinema receiver. I was thinking about an Creative Live card or Audigy (2?) card for around 10 euro's (+/- 7.5 $) on Ebay with an optical out.

I am not really disappointed about the Asrock motherboard as I knew it was an el-cheapo upgrade and I have sucky experience before with audio and el cheapo buys.

Thanx for the support.

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btw, i used the drivers on the cd-rom first. than i upgraded via the cmedia website.

Also, the sound occured when I installed this new motherboard, actually I had 2 of these babies but returned 1 because of faulty memory recognisition. and suprise suprise, with the first one the same thing happened: lousy audio.

Damn... it's always the things we care about the most that let us down right? lol...

That's a good idea, to install the DMX card, before you do make you sure you can find the Windows XP drivers if that is your OS to avoid problems!

And btw, I haven't used ebay yet but I'd avoid buying the Audigy 2 for 10 euros.. it's probably a ripoff or a used card or a fake.

If you have a lost of money to spend though, shop around for cards! Don't just jump to an "Audigy 2 ZS " just cuz I said it was good! (LOL... THX rated, 24bit, 192KHz, 108dB snr, digital out... 7.1 channel... check it out it might be what you want though!)

Good call about the fakes and rip-offs. I should have known that.

As a poor student, I don't have lots to spend, so I am not searching for cutting edge stuff. I do have a Sony home cinema set which support 5.1 dolby digital. So it is useless to buy a 7.1 soundcard without having the 7.1 soundsystem.

So I think the main requirements are:
* 5.1 digital out (optical)
* and a decent/good noise reduction
* a optical cable, at least 1.5 mtr.

The price should not be more than 17.50 euro. I have some geek-friends, maybe they have some decent spare cards.

About the DMX card, it works with XP, it has an MAESTRO chipset which is supported by XP, fortunatelly

Thanx for your support, I really appreciate it.

i just got this cpu like 4 months ago and i think im having the same c-media ac97 audio sound distortion probs u guys had. i cant remember if it was happening b4 i reformatted my hd or not. ive reformatted several times due to spyware,etc. i have amd 3000+. my main issue is that while im browsing the net, etc...loud sounds all of a sudden come out of my speakers w/ different pitches. it scares the crap out of me...lol. did any of u have this same prob? what did u do to solve it??
i first installed the drivers on my 4in1 motherboard cd for sound but still same prob. now, i reformatted and installed drivers from driverguide.com so we'll see how they work.

So.... are they working okay...?

And also, even though I personally use drivergiude.com i don't really roecommend it for recent drivers. Since you are running a 3000+ I'm assuming your motherboard still has an existing site where you can download some good, official and up-to-date drivers and/or get customer support.

I'd recommend only going on driverguide.com to find drivers from dead companies or when you absulutely cannot find the original drivers.

its been great for a while now. thx yahoo for finding this site and thx to those that helped me here!