NationStates Jolt Archive

I'm not sure if nsg is the right place to expect an answer from, but I don't know any other forums, so here goes.

Whenever I run a program that uses directx, like a computer game, when it plays a cinematic sequence the sound stops playing for an instant every few seconds. It's extremely annoying; does anyone know what the trouble might be?

I have the most recent sound and video drivers for my computer, if that makes a difference. I'm certain that my computer isn't overheating or anything like that.

Is this for any game? Or just really new games?

Is this for any game? Or just really new games?

Every game I've seen it happen on is less than three years old ... Warcraft 3 doesn't have the same problem, and it's the oldest game that I still play.

Please run dxdiag (start-run-type dxdiag).
Check your videocard tab - does 3d acceleration work properly ?
Also check all the other tabs for errors of course ;)

Every game I've seen it happen on is less than three years old ... Warcraft 3 doesn't have the same problem, and it's the oldest game that I still play.

Go to dxdiag and try increasing or decreasing the sound acceleration (for some reason it sometimes works better decreased).

Also, you could consider getting a new sound card.

Please run dxdiag (start-run-type dxdiag).
Check your videocard tab - does 3d acceleration work properly ?
Also check all the other tabs for errors of course ;)

Yeah, no errors anywhere.

Maybe it's my sound card ... ? The drivers are current, and it plays perfectly everywhere else.

Go to dxdiag and try increasing or decreasing the sound acceleration (for some reason it sometimes works better decreased).

Also, you could consider getting a new sound card.

It was on full sound acceleration; I tried turning the acceleration off, and it seemed to make the interruptions a little less frequent, but they're still there.

I would, but it's integrated in my laptop's motherboard (and it's no longer under warranty). :(

It was on full sound acceleration; I tried turning the acceleration off, and it seemed to make the interruptions a little less frequent, but they're still there.


Try putting it somewhere in the middle. Also try reducing the graphics setting on the game.

It may not be your sound card at all. It could be in your speakers (I had that problem with Star Wars Empire At War). A small short in the speakers first presented itself in the same manner to me. I replaced the speakers when i realized the short was there (you know, no sound came out...) and there was no longer any problem.

Try putting it somewhere in the middle. Also try reducing the graphics setting on the game.

Tried it; looks like the frequency of the interruptions is directly related to the sound acceleration. As far as I know, the graphics settings don't have any effect on it; I'm testing it on the nvidia logo animation that plays as the game starts up.

What's odd is that the interruptions always happen at exactly the same point in the animation (depending on the sound acceleration).

It may not be your sound card at all. It could be in your speakers (I had that problem with Star Wars Empire At War). A small short in the speakers first presented itself in the same manner to me. I replaced the speakers when i realized the short was there (you know, no sound came out...) and there was no longer any problem.

Well, I'm wearing headphones (tried it with two different pairs), so I doubt it's them.

Well then I'm not much help. I would have told you what everyone else did.

I've been trying to google for an answer to this ... it's hard because I'm not sure how to describe the problem in a few keywords. I'm just going to turn the sound acceleration off and live with it, I suppose ... better than nothing. Thanks for trying, everyone.

I've been trying to google for an answer to this ... it's hard because I'm not sure how to describe the problem in a few keywords. I'm just going to turn the sound acceleration off and live with it, I suppose ... better than nothing. Thanks for trying, everyone.

Does it only happen during the intro cutscenes?

Well...

If you don't know it, Google it!

That shold be thier slogan...