Recently TS2 refused to run, informing me that there's no DirectX 9.0c compatible graphics adapter on my PC. I was very surprised, since it ran without problems before, and took it as my cue to uninstall the drivers. I even deleted the adapter from the device list and allowed the PC to detect it again.

Then I downloaded the latest set of drivers for my video card from the Nvidia page. The package included audio drivers, too, which I ticked for installation, as always. My PC has no separate sound card, so I don't mind.

Once installed and restarted, I saw a problem. There was background noise on my PC and sound was stuttering. That was true for TS2 and for any other program producing sound.

I went to the control panel, found sound, then drivers, and rolled back to previous version, hoping to fix the problem.

After restart, I see that background noise is gone. When I launch the game, sound is ok, too. However, if I do anything else while game is running in a window, sound stuttering is back along with noise! And I do mean doing anything, even opening a new browser window produces sound stuttering. And for example, just now I tried listening to music with the game running in background, and I can instantly hear the background noise and the music stutters. I'm really frustrated, since I'm used to do a lot of stuff while the game runs, and besides I'm sure that such a problem will manifest in numerous ways to come.

What can I do?

Open the start menu then click "Run...". A dialog box will open, type 'dxdiag' without the quotes and hit OK. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool will appear and read your system information. This may take a few minutes. When it's done, click the "Save All Information..." button in the bottom right corner. It will then ask you to save the text file somewhere. Save it somewhere easy to find like your desktop. Then post it here.

Post ALL of it. It's damn long, I hope it won't be automatically truncated.

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 8/22/2013, 18:58:23
Machine name: ROOTPC
Operating System: Windows 7 Максимальная 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_rtm.101119-1850)
Language: Russian (Regional Setting: Russian)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: To be filled by O.E.M.
BIOS: BIOS Date: 05/31/12 19:57:54 Ver: 04.06.05
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2600K CPU @ 3.40GHz (8 CPUs), ~3.8GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8154MB RAM
Page File: 2596MB used, 13710MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
Sound Tab 4: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti
Manufacturer: NVIDIA
Chip type: GeForce GTX 650 Ti
DAC type: Integrated RAMDAC
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_11C6&SUBSYS_11C61569&REV_A1
Display Memory: 4045 MB
Dedicated Memory: 973 MB
Shared Memory: 3072 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 768 (32 bit) (75Hz)
Monitor Name: Универсальный монитор PnP
Monitor Model: Acer V173
Monitor Id: ACR0053
Native Mode: 1280 x 1024(p) (60.020Hz)
Output Type: HD15
Driver Name: nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver File Version: 9.18.0013.2049 (English)
Driver Version: 9.18.13.2049
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 6/21/2013 15:06:36, 15144928 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71E3E-5286-11CF-D87E-CB311CC2C435}
Vendor ID: 0x10DE
Device ID: 0x11C6
SubSys ID: 0x11C61569
Revision ID: 0x00A1
Driver Strong Name: oem19.inf:NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1:Section066:9.18.13.2049:pci\ven_10de&dev_11c6
Rank Of Driver: 00E02001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeVC1_C ModeWMV9_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{6CB69578-7617-4637-91E5-1C02DB810285}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{F9F19DA5-3B09-4B2F-9D89-C64753E3EAAB}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
D3D9 Overlay: Supported
DXVA-HD: Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled

-------------
Sound Devices
-------------
Description: Динамики (VIA High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: Yes
Default Voice Playback: Yes
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1106&DEV_0441&SUBSYS_1458A014&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: viahduaa.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0010.1200 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 10/22/2012 18:09:58, 2206864 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: VIA Technologies, Inc.
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

Description: SPDIF Interface (TX1) (VIA High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1106&DEV_0441&SUBSYS_1458A014&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: viahduaa.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0010.1200 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 10/22/2012 18:09:58, 2206864 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: VIA Technologies, Inc.
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

Description: SPDIF Interface (TX0) (VIA High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1106&DEV_0441&SUBSYS_1458A014&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: viahduaa.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0010.1200 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 10/22/2012 18:09:58, 2206864 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: VIA Technologies, Inc.
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

Description: Headphone (VIA High Definition Audio)
Default Sound Playback: No
Default Voice Playback: No
Hardware ID: HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1106&DEV_0441&SUBSYS_1458A014&REV_1001
Manufacturer ID: 1
Product ID: 100
Type: WDM
Driver Name: viahduaa.sys
Driver Version: 6.00.0010.1200 (English)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
Date and Size: 10/22/2012 18:09:58, 2206864 bytes
Other Files:
Driver Provider: VIA Technologies, Inc.
HW Accel Level: Basic
Cap Flags: 0xF1F
Min/Max Sample Rate: 100, 200000
Static/Strm HW Mix Bufs: 1, 0
Static/Strm HW 3D Bufs: 0, 0
HW Memory: 0
Voice Management: No
EAX(tm) 2.0 Listen/Src: No, No
I3DL2(tm) Listen/Src: No, No
Sensaura(tm) ZoomFX(tm): No

---------------------
Sound Capture Devices
---------------------
-------------------
DirectInput Devices
-------------------
Device Name: Мышь
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Device Name: Клавиатура
Attached: 1
Controller ID: n/a
Vendor/Product ID: n/a
FF Driver: n/a

Poll w/ Interrupt: No

-----------
USB Devices
-----------
+ Корневой USB-концентратор
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x8086, 0x1E26
| Matching Device ID: usb\root_hub20
| Service: usbhub
|
+-+ Generic USB Hub
| | Vendor/Product ID: 0x8087, 0x0024
| | Location: Port_#0001.Hub_#0002
| | Matching Device ID: usb\class_09
| | Service: usbhub

----------------
Gameport Devices
----------------

------------
PS/2 Devices
------------
+ Стандартная клавиатура PS/2
| Matching Device ID: *pnp0303
| Service: i8042prt
|
+ Драйвер клавиатуры сервера терминалов
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_kbd
| Upper Filters: kbdclass
| Service: TermDD
|
+ HID-совместимая мышь
| Vendor/Product ID: 0x046D, 0xC01B
| Matching Device ID: hid_device_system_mouse
| Service: mouhid
|
+ Драйвер мыши сервера терминалов
| Matching Device ID: root\rdp_mou
| Upper Filters: mouclass
| Service: TermDD

------------------------
Disk & DVD/CD-ROM Drives
------------------------
Drive: C:
Free Space: 157.7 GB
Total Space: 400.8 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST31000524AS ATA Device

Drive: D:
Free Space: 289.8 GB
Total Space: 553.0 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: ST31000524AS ATA Device

Drive: G:
Free Space: 18.5 GB
Total Space: 953.9 GB
File System: NTFS
Model: WDC WD10EZRX-00A8LB0 ATA Device

Drive: F:
Model: ARMDK ARGXIZOHI SCSI CdRom Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (Russian), , 0 bytes

Drive: E:
Model: ATAPI iHAS122 C ATA Device
Driver: c:\windows\system32\drivers\cdrom.sys, 6.01.7601.17514 (Russian), , 0 bytes

--------------
System Devices
--------------
Name: Intel(R) Management Engine Interface
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E3A&SUBSYS_1C3A1458&REV_04\3&11583659&0&B0
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 7 - 1E1C
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E1C&SUBSYS_50011458&REV_C4\3&11583659&0&E6
Driver: n/a

Name: D-Link DFE-520TX PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter #2
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1106&DEV_3106&SUBSYS_14051186&REV_8B\5&D47CF45&0&0800E5
Driver: n/a

Name: Расширяемый хост-контроллер Intel(R) USB 3.0
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E31&SUBSYS_50071458&REV_04\3&11583659&0&A0
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 1 - 1E10
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E10&SUBSYS_50011458&REV_C4\3&11583659&0&E0
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 1E2D
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E2D&SUBSYS_50061458&REV_04\3&11583659&0&D0
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family 2 port Serial ATA Storage Controller - 1E08
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E08&SUBSYS_B0021458&REV_04\3&11583659&0&FD
Driver: n/a

Name: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 650 Ti
Device ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_11C6&SUBSYS_11C61569&REV_A1\4&2E9A8D61&0&0008
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family USB Enhanced Host Controller - 1E26
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E26&SUBSYS_50061458&REV_04\3&11583659&0&E8
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family 4 port Serial ATA Storage Controller - 1E00
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E00&SUBSYS_B0051458&REV_04\3&11583659&0&FA
Driver: n/a

Name: Контроллер High Definition Audio (Microsoft)
Device ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0E0B&SUBSYS_11C61569&REV_A1\4&2E9A8D61&0&0108
Driver: n/a

Name: Xeon E3-1200/2nd Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) Processor Family PCI Express Root Port - 0101
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0101&SUBSYS_50001458&REV_09\3&11583659&0&08
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) 82801 PCI мост - 244E
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_244E&SUBSYS_88921458&REV_41\4&B27E2B6&0&00E5
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family SMBus Host Controller - 1E22
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E22&SUBSYS_50011458&REV_04\3&11583659&0&FB
Driver: n/a

Name: 2nd Generation Intel(R) Core(TM) Processor Family DRAM Controller - 0100
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0100&SUBSYS_50001458&REV_09\3&11583659&0&00
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) 82801 PCI мост - 244E
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_244E&SUBSYS_50011458&REV_C4\3&11583659&0&E5
Driver: n/a

Name: Контроллер High Definition Audio (Microsoft)
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E20&SUBSYS_A0141458&REV_04\3&11583659&0&D8
Driver: n/a

Name: Etron USB 3.0 Extensible Host Controller
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1B6F&DEV_7023&SUBSYS_50071458&REV_01\4&2C8787FC&0&00E7
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) H77 Express Chipset LPC Controller - 1E4A
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E4A&SUBSYS_50011458&REV_04\3&11583659&0&F8
Driver: n/a

Name: Intel(R) 7 Series/C216 Chipset Family PCI Express Root Port 8 - 1E1E
Device ID: PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E1E&SUBSYS_50011458&REV_C4\3&11583659&0&E7
Driver: n/a

Name: Ethernet-контроллер
Device ID: PCI\VEN_1969&DEV_1083&SUBSYS_E0001458&REV_C0\4&841E55&0&00E6
Driver: n/a

------------------
DirectShow Filters
------------------

DirectShow Filters:
WMAudio Decoder DMO,0x00800800,1,1,WMADMOD.DLL,6.01.7601.17514
WMAPro over S/PDIF DMO,0x00600800,1,1,WMADMOD.DLL,6.01.7601.17514
WMSpeech Decoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,WMSPDMOD.DLL,6.01.7601.17514
MP3 Decoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,mp3dmod.dll,6.01.7600.16385
Mpeg4s Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,mp4sdecd.dll,6.01.7600.16385
WMV Screen decoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,wmvsdecd.dll,6.01.7601.17514
WMVideo Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,wmvdecod.dll,6.01.7601.17514
Mpeg43 Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,mp43decd.dll,6.01.7600.16385
Mpeg4 Decoder DMO,0x00800001,1,1,mpg4decd.dll,6.01.7600.16385
MPC - Video decoder,0x40000001,1,1,MPCVideoDec.ax,1.03.1249.0000
ffdshow Video Decoder,0xff800001,2,1,ffdshow.ax,1.02.4447.0000
MPC - Matroska Source,0x00600000,0,0,MatroskaSplitter.ax,1.05.0002.3236
ffdshow DXVA Video Decoder,0xff800002,2,1,ffdshow.ax,1.02.4447.0000
ffdshow raw video filter,0x00200000,2,1,ffdshow.ax,1.02.4447.0000
ffdshow Audio Decoder,0xff800001,1,1,ffdshow.ax,1.02.4447.0000
DV Muxer,0x00400000,0,0,qdv.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MPC - Mpeg Source (Gabest),0x00400000,0,0,MpegSplitter.ax,1.05.0002.3236
MainConcept MPEG Demultiplexer,0x00800100,1,2,mc_demux_mp2_ds.ax,9.06.0008.8663
MPC - Matroska Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,MatroskaSplitter.ax,1.05.0002.3236
Color Space Converter,0x00400001,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
WS ScreenCapture,0x00200000,0,1,ScreenCaptureFilter.ax,5.03.0005.0006
WM ASF Reader,0x00400000,0,0,qasf.dll,12.00.7601.17514
Screen Capture filter,0x00200000,0,1,wmpsrcwp.dll,12.00.7601.17514
AVI Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
VGA 16 Color Ditherer,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
SBE2MediaTypeProfile,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Microsoft DTV-DVD Video Decoder,0x005fffff,2,4,msmpeg2vdec.dll,6.01.7140.0000
RealVideo Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,RealMediaSplitter.ax,1.00.0001.0002
MONOGRAM AMR Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,mmamr.ax,1.00.0001.0000
AC3 Parser Filter,0x00600000,1,1,mpg2splt.ax,6.06.7601.17514
DivX AAC Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,daac.ax,8.08.0000.41966
StreamBufferSink,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MJPEG Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MPEG-I Stream Splitter,0x00600000,1,2,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
SAMI (CC) Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
VBI Codec,0x00600000,1,4,VBICodec.ax,6.06.7601.17514
MPEG-2 Splitter,0x005fffff,1,0,mpg2splt.ax,6.06.7601.17514
MPC - MP4 Source,0x00600000,0,0,MP4Splitter.ax,1.05.0002.3236
Closed Captions Analysis Filter,0x00200000,2,5,cca.dll,6.06.7601.17514
SBE2FileScan,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Microsoft MPEG-2 Video Encoder,0x00200000,1,1,msmpeg2enc.dll,6.01.7601.17514
MPC - FLV Splitter (Gabest),0x00600000,1,1,FLVSplitter.ax,1.05.0002.3236
Internal Script Command Renderer,0x00800001,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MPEG Audio Decoder,0x03680001,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
_ VSO Preview Filter,0x00200000,0,1,VsoVprev.ax,3.00.0001.0043
WavPack Audio Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,WavPackDSDecoder.ax,1.01.0000.0484
DV Splitter,0x00600000,1,2,qdv.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MONOGRAM AMR Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,mmamr.ax,1.00.0001.0000
Video Mixing Renderer 9,0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MONOGRAM Musepack Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,mmmpcdec.ax,0.09.0002.0000
Haali Media Splitter,0x00800001,0,1,splitter.ax,1.11.0288.0000
Haali Media Splitter (AR),0x00400000,1,1,splitter.ax,1.11.0288.0000
Microsoft MPEG-2 Encoder,0x00200000,2,1,msmpeg2enc.dll,6.01.7601.17514
MPC - MP4 Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,MP4Splitter.ax,1.05.0002.3236
Xvid MPEG-4 Video Decoder,0x00800002,1,1,xvid.ax,
File Source (Monkey Audio),0x00400000,0,1,MonkeySource.ax,
ACM Wrapper,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
madFlac Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,madFlac.ax,1.09.0000.0000
Video Renderer,0x00800001,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MPEG-2 Video Stream Analyzer,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Line 21 Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,qdvd.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Video Port Manager,0x00600000,2,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
DivX H.264 Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,DivXDecH264.ax,9.00.0001.0021
Video Renderer,0x00400000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
DivX Demux Filter,0x00800002,0,3,DirectShowDemuxFilter.dll,1.00.0003.0136
Haali Video Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,dxr.dll,
RealMedia Source,0x00600000,0,0,RealMediaSplitter.ax,1.00.0001.0002
DivX Decoder Filter,0x00800000,1,1,DivXDec.ax,7.03.0000.0048
VPS Decoder,0x00200000,0,0,WSTPager.ax,6.06.7601.17514
WM ASF Writer,0x00400000,0,0,qasf.dll,12.00.7601.17514
DivX Demux Filter (Unrestricted Edition),0x00200000,0,3,DirectShowDemuxFilter.dll,1.00.0003.0136
VBI Surface Allocator,0x00600000,1,1,vbisurf.ax,6.01.7601.17514
File writer,0x00200000,1,0,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
iTV Data Sink,0x00600000,1,0,itvdata.dll,6.06.7601.17514
iTV Data Capture filter,0x00600000,1,1,itvdata.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Haali Simple Media Splitter,0x00200000,0,1,splitter.ax,1.11.0288.0000
DirectVobSub,0x00200000,2,1,vsfilter.dll,2.39.0005.0001
RealAudio Decoder,0x00600000,1,1,RealMediaSplitter.ax,1.00.0001.0002
MPC - Avi Splitter,0x00600001,1,1,AviSplitter.ax,1.03.1290.0000
DirectVobSub (auto-loading version),0x00800002,2,1,vsfilter.dll,2.39.0005.0001
MONOGRAM AMR Encoder,0x00600000,1,1,mmamr.ax,1.00.0001.0000
DVD Navigator,0x00200000,0,3,qdvd.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Overlay Mixer2,0x00200000,1,1,qdvd.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Subtitle Source,0x00200000,0,1,DVobSub.ax,2.00.0023.0000
Haali Matroska Muxer,0x00200000,1,0,splitter.ax,1.11.0288.0000
AC3Filter,0x40000000,1,1,ac3filter.ax,1.03.0001.0000
AVI Draw,0x00600064,9,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MONOGRAM AMR Mux,0x00600000,1,1,mmamr.ax,1.00.0001.0000
RDP DShow Redirection Filter,0xffffffff,1,0,DShowRdpFilter.dll,
DC-Bass Source,0x00400000,0,1,DCBassSource.ax,1.02.0000.0000
Microsoft MPEG-2 Audio Encoder,0x00200000,1,1,msmpeg2enc.dll,6.01.7601.17514
WST Pager,0x00200000,1,1,WSTPager.ax,6.06.7601.17514
MPEG-2 Demultiplexer,0x00600000,1,1,mpg2splt.ax,6.06.7601.17514
DV Video Decoder,0x00800000,1,1,qdv.dll,6.06.7601.17514
ffdshow Audio Processor,0x00200000,1,1,ffdshow.ax,1.02.4447.0000
SampleGrabber,0x00200000,1,1,qedit.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Null Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,qedit.dll,6.06.7601.17514
VP7 Decompressor,0x00800000,1,1,vp7dec.ax,7.00.0010.0000
MONOGRAM Musepack Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,mmmpcdmx.ax,0.04.0000.0000
madFlac Source,0x00600000,0,1,madFlac.ax,1.09.0000.0000
MPEG-2 Sections and Tables,0x005fffff,1,0,Mpeg2Data.ax,6.06.7601.17514
Microsoft AC3 Encoder,0x00200000,1,1,msac3enc.dll,6.01.7601.17514
MPC - FLV Source (Gabest),0x00600000,0,0,FLVSplitter.ax,1.05.0002.3236
StreamBufferSource,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Smart Tee,0x00200000,1,2,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Overlay Mixer,0x00200000,0,0,qdvd.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MPC - Avi Source,0x00600001,0,0,AviSplitter.ax,1.03.1290.0000
AVI Decompressor,0x00600000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
AVI/WAV File Source,0x00400000,0,2,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MPC - MPEG4 Video Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,MP4Splitter.ax,1.05.0002.3236
Wave Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MIDI Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Multi-file Parser,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
File stream renderer,0x00400000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
WavPack Audio Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,WavPackDSSplitter.ax,1.01.0000.0323
ffdshow subtitles filter,0x00200000,2,1,ffdshow.ax,1.02.4447.0000
MPC - Mpeg Splitter (Gabest),0x00400001,1,1,MpegSplitter.ax,1.05.0002.3236
MainConcept Stream Parser,0x00400000,1,2,mc_demux_mp2_ds.ax,9.06.0008.8663
Microsoft DTV-DVD Audio Decoder,0x005fffff,1,1,msmpeg2adec.dll,6.01.7140.0000
RealMedia Splitter,0x00600000,1,1,RealMediaSplitter.ax,1.00.0001.0002
StreamBufferSink2,0x00200000,0,0,sbe.dll,6.06.7601.17514
AVI Mux,0x00200000,1,0,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MPC - MPEG4 Video Source,0x00600000,0,0,MP4Splitter.ax,1.05.0002.3236
Line 21 Decoder 2,0x00600002,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
File Source (Async.),0x00400000,0,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
File Source (URL),0x00400000,0,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Haali Video Sink,0x00200000,1,0,splitter.ax,1.11.0288.0000
AC3File,0x00600000,0,1,ac3file.ax,
Infinite Pin Tee Filter,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Enhanced Video Renderer,0x00200000,1,0,evr.dll,6.01.7601.17514
BDA MPEG2 Transport Information Filter,0x00200000,2,0,psisrndr.ax,6.06.7601.17514
MPEG Video Decoder,0x40000001,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514

WDM Streaming Tee/Splitter Devices:
Преобразователь Tee/Sink-to-Sink,0x00200000,1,1,ksproxy.ax,6.01.7601.17514

Video Compressors:
WMVideo8 Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,wmvxencd.dll,6.01.7600.16385
WMVideo9 Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,wmvencod.dll,6.01.7600.16385
MSScreen 9 encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,wmvsencd.dll,6.01.7600.16385
DV Video Encoder,0x00200000,0,0,qdv.dll,6.06.7601.17514
ffdshow video encoder,0x00100000,1,1,ffdshow.ax,1.02.4447.0000
MJPEG Compressor,0x00200000,0,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Кодек Cinepak, изготовленный корпорацией Radius,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
DivX 6.9.2 Codec (8 Logical CPUs),0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
ffdshow Video Codec,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Кодек Intel IYUV,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Кодек Intel IYUV,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Microsoft RLE,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Microsoft Video 1,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
VP60® Simple Profile ,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
VP61® Advanced Profile,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Xvid MPEG-4 Codec,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
DivX 6.9.2 YV12 Decoder,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Zipped Motion Block Video v0.1,0x00200000,1,1,qcap.dll,6.06.7601.17514

Audio Compressors:
WM Speech Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,WMSPDMOE.DLL,6.01.7600.16385
WMAudio Encoder DMO,0x00600800,1,1,WMADMOE.DLL,6.01.7600.16385
IMA ADPCM,0x00200000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
PCM,0x00200000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Microsoft ADPCM,0x00200000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
GSM 6.10,0x00200000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
CCITT A-Law,0x00200000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
CCITT u-Law,0x00200000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
AC-3 ACM Codec,0x00200000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
MPEG Layer-3,0x00200000,1,1,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514

PBDA CP Filters:
PBDA DTFilter,0x00600000,1,1,CPFilters.dll,6.06.7601.17514
PBDA ETFilter,0x00200000,0,0,CPFilters.dll,6.06.7601.17514
PBDA PTFilter,0x00200000,0,0,CPFilters.dll,6.06.7601.17514

Midi Renderers:
Default MidiOut Device,0x00800000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Microsoft GS Wavetable Synth,0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514

WDM Streaming Capture Devices:
VIA HD Audio Line In,0x00200000,1,1,ksproxy.ax,6.01.7601.17514
VIA HD Audio Microphone,0x00200000,1,1,ksproxy.ax,6.01.7601.17514
VIA HD Audio Stereo Mixer,0x00200000,1,1,ksproxy.ax,6.01.7601.17514

WDM Streaming Rendering Devices:
HD Audio digital out,0x00200000,1,1,ksproxy.ax,6.01.7601.17514
HD Audio digital out,0x00200000,1,1,ksproxy.ax,6.01.7601.17514
VIA HD Audio Headphone,0x00200000,1,1,ksproxy.ax,6.01.7601.17514
VIA HD Audio Output 2,0x00200000,1,1,ksproxy.ax,6.01.7601.17514

BDA Network Providers:
Microsoft ATSC Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSDvbNP.ax,6.06.7601.17514
Microsoft DVBC Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSDvbNP.ax,6.06.7601.17514
Microsoft DVBS Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSDvbNP.ax,6.06.7601.17514
Microsoft DVBT Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSDvbNP.ax,6.06.7601.17514
Microsoft Network Provider,0x00200000,0,1,MSNP.ax,6.06.7601.17514

Multi-Instance Capable VBI Codecs:
VBI Codec,0x00600000,1,4,VBICodec.ax,6.06.7601.17514

BDA Transport Information Renderers:
BDA MPEG2 Transport Information Filter,0x00600000,2,0,psisrndr.ax,6.06.7601.17514
MPEG-2 Sections and Tables,0x00600000,1,0,Mpeg2Data.ax,6.06.7601.17514

BDA CP/CA Filters:
Decrypt/Tag,0x00600000,1,1,EncDec.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Encrypt/Tag,0x00200000,0,0,EncDec.dll,6.06.7601.17514
PTFilter,0x00200000,0,0,EncDec.dll,6.06.7601.17514
XDS Codec,0x00200000,0,0,EncDec.dll,6.06.7601.17514

WDM Streaming Communication Transforms:
Преобразователь Tee/Sink-to-Sink,0x00200000,1,1,ksproxy.ax,6.01.7601.17514

Audio Renderers:
Динамики (VIA High Definition A,0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Default DirectSound Device,0x00800000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Default WaveOut Device,0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
DirectSound: Headphone (VIA High Definition Audio),0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
DirectSound: SPDIF Interface (TX0) (VIA High Definition Audio),0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
DirectSound: SPDIF Interface (TX1) (VIA High Definition Audio),0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
DirectSound: Динамики (VIA High Definition Audio),0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
Headphone (VIA High Definition ,0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
SPDIF Interface (TX0) (VIA High,0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514
SPDIF Interface (TX1) (VIA High,0x00200000,1,0,quartz.dll,6.06.7601.17514

---------------
EVR Power Information
---------------
Current Setting: {5C67A112-A4C9-483F-B4A7-1D473BECAFDC} (Quality)
Quality Flags: 2576
Enabled:
Force throttling
Allow half deinterlace
Allow scaling
Decode Power Usage: 100
Balanced Flags: 1424
Enabled:
Force throttling
Allow batching
Force half deinterlace
Force scaling
Decode Power Usage: 50
PowerFlags: 1424
Enabled:
Force throttling
Allow batching
Force half deinterlace
Force scaling
Decode Power Usage: 0

What motherboard model are you using? And you said there's a weird sound, what kind of speakers are you using and how are they connected to your computer?

Please check the first post, it has full PC specifications just in case:
http://www.modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=500861

I use headphones, normal stereo headphones, the model of which I forgot but Koss is written on them. I plug them into a green hole.

Right now I reinstalled drivers again, because there was a problem again, and seemingly things are a little better with sound now. But not much. Noise and sound distortion is not so constant as before, it pretty much only happens when I load some page for a few seconds, as if it's taking an enormous amount of PC power, even though task manager shows CPU pretty much idling in the process.

I had a theory before that sound and network adapter are conflicting, but don't know how to check that for sure.

Is the green hole you're plugging your headphones in on your case or in the back on your motherboard?

Edit: I have to go to sleep, so I'll just leave these troubleshooting steps here. Please try them and see what works for you. I'll check back in a few hours when I wake up.

1. If your headphones were plugged into a green jack at the front of your case, plug them in the back directly into the other green hole on your motherboard. (See this picture.) If your problem still isn't solved, continue to step 2.

2. Check your C:\ drive for an "NVIDIA" folder. Open it, then open the "Display Driver" folder. Check if you see a folder named "314.22". If you have it skip to step 4, if you do not have it go to step 3.

3. If you do not already have 314.22 folder on your computer download the 314.22 driver from the Nvidia website here .

4. Uninstall your older display drivers.

5. Install the 314.22 drivers by running the downloaded file or running "setup.exe" from the 314.22 folder. Use the "Clean Installation" option. Then check if your problem persists, if it does continue to step 6.

6. Go to the driver download page page for your Asus P8Z77-V LK located here.

7. Under the Chipset section, download "Intel Chipset Driver V9.3.0.1019 for Windows XP 64bit & Win7 32bit---(WHQL)." 245.94 MBytes. Install it.

8. Under the Audio section, download "Realtek Audio Driver V6.0.1.6657 for Windows Win7 32bit & Win7 64bit & Win8 32bit & Win8 64bit---(WHQL)." 142.37 MBytes. Install it.

9. Plug your headphones directly into your motherboard through the other green hole at the back of your case. Check if your problem persists.

ALSO: I noticed that your screen resolution is not native. Change it to 1280x1024 60Hz. If you find it too small, you can also use 1024x768 60Hz. Just don't use 75Hz. to change it, right click on your desktop, select "Screen Resolution", click "Advanced Settings" then "List All Modes" and choose "1280 by 1024, True Color (32 bit), 60 Hertz" then click OK, then Apply.

Both. It's on the back of the case. So I opened it to see where it goes, and it does go to the motherboard.


I actually had newer drivers that these (320.49), they were the ones giving me such trouble. I found them on Nvidia site by specifying my video card model. Previously I was using 314.22 that you speak about, they kept TS2 crashing all the time (but no problem with other games). Anyway I uninstalled the drivers completely and installed the version you recommend.

For now I'll see if the problem persists and if does I'll follow the rest of your instructions.


What's wrong with 75Hz? I can't afford to use 60Hz, it's very bad for eyesight, and my job involves typing at PC all the time. I spent at it many hours per day and my eyesight already suffered a bit, it's now near-sighted. I can't damage it any more.

75Hz isn't native to your screen. If you're having eyesight problems then I guess you don't really have a choice. Did you try re-installing the chipset and audio drivers?

Not yet, but I already notice that sound deteriorates.

I wanted to show you exactly what it is, so here I recorded a little of it:
http://www.mediafire.com/?bbpkydin8uqadiz

The background music you can hear is TS2 game loading, the mild noises are produced by me opening a few browser pages on this very forum. Not only the act of opening them produces small noises, but also them loading has the same effect.

There's no sound distortion, though. It usually starts happening only after the game has been running for an hour or more. But once I run into it again I will record to show it. Btw the game itself also starts to produce such noises in a while.

I'll try following your other instructions and update chipset and audio drivers.

hrmm sounds like interference. if the audio and chipset drivers dont help i'm at a loss. I had a similar problem a long time ago on my Pentium 4 system, turned out the motherboard was faulty and the whole onboard audio failed soon after. I never bothered to RMA it and just got a USB headset and bypassed the problem.

I successfully updated the chipset drivers and rebooted. It went well.

When I updated the audio drivers and rebooted, this is the message that greeted me:



But so far I cannot hear noises, it's dead silent. Maybe it did install something, despite claiming to fail. I'll wait to be sure, but for now nothing is wrong! As a bonus, suddenly my browser works extremely fast, it used to take a long time loading pages before. I thought it was a browser problem and was going to reinstall, but maybe it was the sound problem that lagged it so much. I checked a few other programs, too, and everything works a lot faster. I almost can't believe my eyes, the speed difference is very big.

Ok, despite everything being better and faster, noises still happen and stuttering as well. But now it only happens when some sound is actually played, rathan than happening even in total silence like before. That's why I couldn't hear it anymore while opening webpages.

That's it:
http://www.mediafire.com/?yq9nclh2d3qcfjl

It's me opening a few webpages while the music was playing again.

So this may be a flawed motherboard, in your opinion? I can take it to service center to have them check it, I think (provided I can properly take it out). But not now, I need to wait till PC is not needed at all for a day or two.

As for USB headphones, is there some adapter that can make normal headphones be USB-compatible?

Also I wonder if buying a sound card could help. I saw really cheap ones, and I don't think the quality can be any worse than onboard sound.

A sound card could help, but I really don't like them. The cheap ones are unreliable and require driver installs. I prefer USB headsets because the drivers are usually simpler and auto-install when you plug them in. What is the filename of the audio drivers you downloaded?

So my headphones can't be adapted to USB? Please, tell me, I have to use headphones for work very often.

The drivers I downloaded are: Realtek_Audio_V51006657_V6016657_XPWin7_8.

So I opened device manager and couldn't see any Realtek devices in device manager, but instead I saw VIA High Definition Audio. Could it be the drivers required are not Realtek? I tried to find compatible drivers on VIA site, but am at a loss what to specify in the last line: http://www.via.com.tw/en/support/drivers.jsp. It looks like this:

You said in your other post that you have an Asus P8Z77-V LK motherboard. If that's true you shouldn't have a VIA audio device, you should have a Realtek® ALC892 (source). I don't even know why you have VIA drivers installed. I'm beginning to think you don't have the motherboard you think you have. Can you open up your case and take a picture of the motherboard itself? I need to able to read the writing on the motherboard.

I'm not sure if your analog headphones can be converted into USB. In any case even if they can, they will require a USB to analog dongle which will require drivers itself. It will end up being the same thing though it may be cheaper than buying a USB headset.

I'm really sorry for this confusion! I messed up and posted the wrong motherboard. The thing is, the PC didn't work when I bought it, it turned itself off in a minute or so, and I couldn't even install Windows. I took it to service center the same day, they ran tests and said the motherboard was flawed. That's the old model I specified, again I'm really sorry for creating confusion!

PC Wizard says that the motherboard is: Gigabyte GA-H77-D3H (sorry my phone can't take pictures). I downloaded drivers from Gigabyte site, they've got both chipset and audio drivers, but nothing has seemingly changed, unfortunately, after installing them.

And I'm sorry to bother you so much and for so long, you have no idea how you're helping me, I simply do not have knowledge about this. Please know that I'm very grateful.

To do something on my own I downloaded program called LatencyMon that was once recommended to me for checking real audio problems:


I'm at a loss why it thinks that CPU is throttled, PC Wizard showed that it worked at higher frequency than official. Anyway to disable any chance of CPU throttling I made sure power is set to max performance and disabled Turbo Boost, C1E, C3\C6, EIST in BIOS. That didn't help, the program still complains that CPU is being throttled. So I tested it in real-time playing a game, while PC Wizard was hovering over it and showing live values in the range of 3391-3392 at all times, the official being 3400.

Maybe I should mention that I'm testing while having TS2 in windowed mode. But I think that's the idea. When nothing is running on PC, latencymon wouldn't complain.

I don't know what to think or do anymore.

Do you have EasyTune installed?

No, I don't.

Last thing I can think of is it might be your Power Supply Unit. There should be a sticker on the side that says what the Amperage output is for +12V (or +12V1, +12V2, +12V3 etc.). Can you tell me what's written and what the brand and model number is?