MSI Neo2-P Sound Problem

behr66behr66
edited November 2004 in Hardware
Heya
whenever i get into a game, my sound goes out. Just doesn't work.
Out of the game it works (mostly) and when i resart it works in the Windows GUI (mp3's and what not)
Anyone have any ideas?
I have an MSI Neo2-P with all the drivers from the cd, and i havn't found anything else on the board reguarding sound issues.
It's all onboard sound, i have no other sound cards,
i have a brand new 3.4 P4 800FSB ati radeon x800 pro
and windows xp pro

please help me out
thanks in advance
- behr

Comments

  • MackanzMackanz
    edited June 2004
    behr,

    That HAS to be a driver issue somehow. Is that a 875 chipset on that board? Who makes the soundchip on the board?
  • behr66behr66
    edited June 2004
    Mackanz wrote:
    behr,

    That HAS to be a driver issue somehow. Is that a 875 chipset on that board? Who makes the soundchip on the board?

    it's actually an 865 chipset (not sure why)
    and yeah, it has to be a software/driver related issue, it can't be hardware, it proves it works.
    here's what it says about the sound :
    AC97 link controller integrated in Intel® ICH5 chipset.
    • 6 channels software audio codec Realtek ALC655.
    - Compliance with AC97 v2.3 Spec.
    - Meet PC2001 audio performance requirement

    so it's a Realtek ALC655.

    thanks for the help
    :bringit:
  • MackanzMackanz
    edited June 2004
    And you use the driver on the cd? Is there a chance that you can which driver version it is? There might be newer versions that's not listed at MSI. Wouldn't be the first time i'm afraid. Also make sure to at least first, use the suggested default sound driver in the games, then try the rest. (usually, there are 2 or 3 to choose from, EAX, EAX1 etc)

    ftp://210.51.181.211/pc/ac97/alc650/wdm_a359.exe

    That's the latest from Realtek.
  • behr66behr66
    edited June 2004
    turns out there are newer drivers (my bad, didn't know)
    they fixed all the issues (so far)

    thanks for the reply and advice though
  • MackanzMackanz
    edited June 2004
    Sounds good :) (phun intended)
  • behr66behr66
    edited June 2004
    DAMNIT!
    far cry sound just went out....
    i'mma try these new realtek drivers, see what happens.
    thanks for keeping posted
  • behr66behr66
    edited June 2004
    DAMN the realtek drivers did nothing... still goes out. pretty promptly as well.
    any new ideas?
  • MackanzMackanz
    edited June 2004
    Try a reinstall of DirectX and see if it works. Have you tried emailing MSI?
  • KronuzKronuz
    edited August 2004
    Me too, I have the same problem and I haven't been able to fix it for over five months now... I have called MSI technical support and I have even changed my motherboard for a new one, the problem is still there... I'm not sure the problem is on the software (although I really hope so). Some times even after reboot the problem is still there. I have to turn off the computer for a few seconds before turning it back on again so the sound works again. (that’s what made me think the problem was not on the drivers.)
    I have tried with the new sound drivers, the old sound drivers, the provided sound drivers, new chipset drivers, the old chipset drivers, I have tried it all… it still won’t work. As soon as you start loading the CPU the sound fails.
    Some time ago I thought it might be the north bridge getting to hot (‘cause it was,) but not anymore. I added a fan to the north bridge, a fan to the case, and an external fan to the whole thing, keeping the temperature really low, and the problem is still there. :(
    If anyone has the same problem (or if someone solves it) please post something here…

    The problem is present at least on the following configuration:
    MSI 865PE Neo2-P (Platinium Edition) PCB v.2.0
    BIOS Version 3.6 & 3.7
    Intel P4 HT 3GHz Prescott
    Two 512MB memory modules (1GB PC3200, kit of two):
    Kingston KVR400X64C3AK2/1G
    Integrated Realtek AC'97 ALC655
    Driver Version: All versions at least up to the A3.62
    Using Windows XP Pro SP0, SP1, or SP2
    Intel Chipset Software Driver Version: 5.1.0.1008 or 6.0.1.1002
  • KronuzKronuz
    edited August 2004
    Listen, I have heard of at least six cases having this problem with the board... I think we should complain with MSI to get our board fixed, changed, or something ... :S
  • kamelotkamelot
    edited October 2004
    same here. this problems seems quite usual. hmm theres gotta be a way to fix it...

    got the MSI 865PE NEO-2 platinum....

    somebody that knows how to fix this please reply..
  • KronuzKronuz
    edited October 2004
    This problem is annoying. I have updated the drivers and done everything I’ve been told by MSI, with no results. The sound just doesn't work right. I remember some have told me to just buy another sound card (that integrated soundcards doesn’t sound no good anyway) but I'm not arguing that, 'cause that’s not the issue. We should get quality for what we're paying for, and we shouldn't need to buy an extra sound card if we already paid for one. Just because they screwed it and the integrated one doesn’t work. You don’t go buy a new remote control for the TV you just bought just because the one that came with it is not working; or you don’t buy a new set of speakers for your new stereo because the ones that came with it are broken.

    Please, if anyone else is having this problem, send me an email. When we have enough people we'll complain with MSI. Please send the email to kronuz at hotmail dot com containing "MSI Sound Problem" on the subject. Specify your exact problem, put your computer configuration, name and email. If you can include your motherboard's PCB version and BIOS version. We got to do something about this.
  • MegavoltMegavolt
    edited October 2004
    Have the same problem,
    but mine is with:-

    Gigabyte GA-7N400 Pro 2, Realtek ALC655 AC97 6 chan sound, Radeon 9800xt Pro, Barton XP3200 cpu, 1Gig Kingston 400 DDR.

    I have some other graphics cards so am going to try changing my card over to see if it makes any difference. Have tried lowering the bus speed to 200 still does it. And also have tried latest direct X and updated Realtek drivers.

    I will just say I have seen this prob with on board AC97 sound B4 on yet another manufacturers board...

    Will let you know if I get anywhere. :(

    /\/\ega\/.
  • lordbeanlordbean Ontario, Canada
    edited October 2004
    The problem is with the specific Realtek sound chip. It is NOT a hardware sound chip, it runs a codec through the processor, and is INCAPABLE of any form of hardware accelerated sound playback. Most games default their sound setting to "Hardware 3D" or similar setting. Go into the sound configuration for the game, and switch it to something that doesn't say "Hardware". The sound will stop crashing. I know this because I also have an MSI 865PE mobo with the chip.
  • onimousonimous
    edited November 2004
    Sadly, i am reporting the exact same issue. Recently i upgraded almost all my hardware. New mobo, cpu, gpu, ram, and pwr src. Everything on my system is working perfectly except sound in games. I got the MSI 865PE Neo2-P Platinum edition mobo (like many others i see) and a P4 2.8g cpu. The system is all good except when i load a game, within 5 minutes the sound just disappears (obviously i also have AC97 onboard sound).

    Funny thing, after i first installed everything (chipset, drivers), i noticed i had a Realtek icon on my taskbar and could use this to enter the program and configure my setup. I also noticed (after having problems in games) that there was nothing in the control panel's ass/remove programs list for realtek. I reinstalled and got realtek to show itself in the add/remove but the desktop icon disappeared and same with the start menu reffrence for realtek. So now i can't get into the program. Ok, so i called MSI and got the runaround. First they had me DL the newest AC97 driver from their website. Then they had me uninstall and reinstall the updated driver. Nothing. I didn't even get my icon back or the start menu refrence for realtek and it still cuts out on games. BTW, the tech seemed really annoyed like he had dealt with this issue repetedly.

    To sum up, he told me i should reinstall everything, including windows xp and that would solve the problem. It shouldn't work like that so i started reading forums to find a solution. I've come to the conclusion that i need a sound card but i'm wondering before i get one if the mobo is fine and AC97 is the problem. If not, i want a diffrent mobo. :drinkup:
  • lordbeanlordbean Ontario, Canada
    edited November 2004
    read the post I made right before yours. The audio chip the MSI 865P/PE motherboards typically employ is not a hardware audio chip, and is not capable of hardware-accelerated audio playback. I experience a total system lock in Unreal Tournament 2004 after playing the game for 5 minutes if my sound is set to "Hardware 3D Audio" in the game's configuration; once it is set to "3D Audio" (note the lack of the term "hardware"), it works fine. This is also the case in other games - hardware-accelerated playback will cause audio or system failure.
  • onimousonimous
    edited November 2004
    One particular game i play (morrowind) has an option to set sound for hardware or software mode. I have tried both repetedly with no diffrent results. Realtek is set to auto in my bios with the only other option being disable. I'm thinking, the right driver/audio codec would solve the prob. but i have tried quite a few with same results. I'm ready for a sound card.
  • rapturerapture
    edited November 2004
    I gave up on the onboard and bought an Audigy 2 ZS

    May not be the answer you want to just go out and buy a hardware card but it sounds MUCH better and performance in games has increased now that my CPU doesnt have to process sound. Well impressed with the new card, the only reason I put off upgrading was the mess that Creative made with drivers for the SB Live! under Windows XP.
  • lordbeanlordbean Ontario, Canada
    edited November 2004
    That's my solution too - my 865PE MSI board has an Audigy 2 installed.
  • onimousonimous
    edited November 2004
    Yeah, i'm thinking with newer games like half life 2 and doom 3, i don't want my cpu and mobo trying to process sound. Last question, so far i really like the msi board, do you think the board is good to go if i add a sound card? I'm just slightly worried that nothing is faulty with the board (just weak onboard sound).
  • rapturerapture
    edited November 2004
    I have the Socket 754 Neo Platinum and love it. Onboard sound has always lagged behind dedicated sound cards so I wouldnt worry about it too much.
  • onimousonimous
    edited November 2004
    I only have about 100 u.s. to spend right now on a sound card. Any suggestions in that price range or should i save up. Again my board model is, MSI 865pe neo2-p platinum edition. Thx.
  • verselloversello New
    edited November 2004
    I bought an AudioTrack Maya 5.1 about two months ago for around $39. I simply love it -- excellent sound quality for music (and it has a optical out).

    I have an MSI K8T-Neo mobo and was using the onboard audio chip for some time and never experienced the problems you are having. I've played Morrowind with "hardware enabled," and didn't have any problems, although I did notice a slight decrease in performance. Doom III also ran flawless.
  • lordbeanlordbean Ontario, Canada
    edited November 2004
    For the people using non-865 MSI boards - the problem won't show up. The audio chip is different. I was talking about the audio chip specifically used on the 865P/PE socket 478 intel chipset Neo2 series of boards. Their chip can't handle hardware sound processing, I know because I have one. As for sound cards, I bought a standard Audigy 2... I really don't think it's worth an extra $100 for a couple more ports - the sound quality is going to be exactly the same. The 865P/PE line itself is very solid - I've been using mine for more than a year (overclocked for most of that time) and the board has never burped in the slightest.
  • onimousonimous
    edited November 2004
    Well Lordbean, that was good advice. I went out and got an Audigy2 card and it seems to have done the trick. Just uninstalled the on board program and them disabled that feature in the bios. Threw in the card and loaded up software. No problems after about three hours of gaming and the sound is great. I also feel the MSI board is solid (once you have a decent sound card). :)
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