iMac C2D audio card "popping"?

[bdemers]

Hi,

I've got an iMac I bought within the past month. I've recently installed 10.4.10, and although I can't confirm this issue began at the same time, it seems it might have...

When the computer is doing "silent" operations, like browsing regular websites, editing documents, for more than 25 seconds, it sounds like it "sleeps" the audio card. There's a "pop" from the speakers. When I go to use something with sound again, even just changing the volume level and getting the little "clicks" that go with the keyboard buttons, it begins with another loud pop, like the sound card coming back on. 25 seconds later, "pop", and it's off again. There is no noticeable hissing or humming in either state, so it's not entirely clear if the card is actually turning on and off.

This problem is particularly noticeable since I have a set of highly amplified home theater speakers attached to my iMac. When using headphones, it is virtually imperceptible (although, if you look at your watch after changing the volume level, 25 seconds later, there is a tiny blip in the background).

Anyone else experienced this? Any confirmation if it's connected to the 10.4.10 update?

 

[Fleetwood Mac]

My Core Duo iMac doesn't have this problem. My MacBook C2D on the other hand!! Its very annoying, like you said, when plugged into external speakers.

 

[bdemers]

My Core Duo iMac doesn't have this problem. My MacBook C2D on the other hand!! Its very annoying, like you said, when plugged into external speakers.

I assume then that this has been going on before the software update?

It's very possible mine was too, I haven't had it long enough to figure out all its quirks.

 

[Fleetwood Mac]

Yes. It used to happen only when it was running off battery (whatever, saves battery life), but after the update they happen on adapter too.

 

[bdemers]

Yes. It used to happen only when it was running off battery (whatever, saves battery life), but after the update they happen on adapter too.

I think you're on to something here. I was guessing that it was shutting the audio components off... but I think this helps to confirm it. It makes sense that it was originally a battery-only feature. I appreciate that iMacs are power-friendly, but it's just not worth shutting off the audio card in my opinion.

I'm going to call Apple support about this when I get a chance.

 

[bdemers]

Called Apple, the 10.4.10 update is so new at this point that there hasn't been much information sharing. The woman I spoke with indicated that it's very possible that others have reported the same issue, but that their requests hadn't been merged into the larger database yet.

Either way, there's a discussion going on over on the apple support site about this. Nearly 300 posts. The discussion has now been locked. It pretty much confirms exactly what we expected here.

 

[blackscooby]

Popping on 10.4.10 Mini

My Mini Intel has been affected by the 10.4.10. Plays a "pop" immediately before a sound, and 29 seconds after.

Booted to 10.4.9 on my external disk, no issue. Can be easily reproduced by just altering the volume with the slider.
Reported it via the feedback form.
Loads of cases on the Tiger Apple Discussion group.

 

[Fleetwood Mac]

My Mini Intel has been affected by the 10.4.10. Plays a "pop" immediately before a sound, and 29 seconds after.

Booted to 10.4.9 on my external disk, no issue. Can be easily reproduced by just altering the volume with the slider.
Reported it via the feedback form.
Loads of cases on the Tiger Apple Discussion group.

Checked my Intel mini, and sure enough.

 

[Zwhaler]

Although I havent had this problem myself (I own a C2D iMac with 10.4.10) I have heard of this problem in other peoples computers on this forum. Try searching for 10.4.10 audio popping

 

[smacman]

I have this problem on all 3 of my systems. My Mac Mini, iMac C2D, and Macbook Pro C2D ALL started doing this immediately after upgrading to 10.4.10. I have posted on the Apple Support forums about this but Apple keeps deleting my posts so I'm not sure what to think. I realize that not everyone has this problem but I think it is a bit disgusting that Apple is trying to shove this under the carpet with so many systems affected.

 

[.vin.]

My MBP started making popping noises with external speakers right after the 10.4.10 update as well. I thought my speakers were dying until I saw the dozens of other users with the same problem. Hopefully Apple releases a software update to fix this soon.

 

[smacman]

Maybe we should all send our Macs to the service center for a logic board change. That might be what it takes for them to come out with a fix. From my past experience, until something starts really becoming a thorn in their side, they will ignore / deny the problem altogether..

 

[.vin.]

Maybe we should all send our Macs to the service center for a logic board change. That might be what it takes for them to come out with a fix. From my past experience, until something starts really becoming a thorn in their side, they will ignore / deny the problem altogether..

Lol, very true. Or maybe we all call Apple Tech Support at the same exact time.

 

[lozanoj83]

Hey I have the same thig with my new Mac Mini
I just tought it was my speakers, but hearing from this... I guess im not alone...

meh im too lazy to call Apple tough, I guess if it gets worse ill call em later.

 

[MIDI_EVIL]

My friend has had this since before the 10.4.10 update, on a MacBook Core Duo.

I have this issue when running on battery with my PowerBook G4, also at 10.4.10

Rich.

 

[j3tang]

My friend has had this since before the 10.4.10 update, on a MacBook Core Duo.

I have this issue when running on battery with my PowerBook G4, also at 10.4.10

Rich.

i can confirm this with a core duo macbook.
I've had this problem for several months, so i'm not sure which update it was that caused it. I get the popping sound when i use the LineIn app, which takes the input sound from the line in port and passes it out through the sound output port.

 

[adav]

24" iMac here. I'm getting the popping too, but it is only noticeable through headphones where the "hiss" stops with the pop. I timed it at 26 seconds after a sound.

Not really a problem i think, doesn't get in the way of anything for me and its probably saving power.

 

[Cave Man]

This is a problem with iMacs, Mac Minis and Macbooks and there's quite a bit of activity on the Apple discussions board. Seems to have started with 10.4.10 updater. It's called the 'snap, crackle and pop' problem. Hopefully Apple will address it after all the iPhone madness has subsided.

 

[MIDI_EVIL]

It's definately some sort of power management thing, but it sounds so bad!

Rich.

 

[solvs]

The fix posted on another thread here worked for me. Redownloaded the 10.4.9 combo update and used Pacifist to extract the audio file affected. Replaced the new one in the System folder, rebooted, works fine now. Still running 10.4.10 otherwise.

20" iMac 2.16 C2D and external speakers.

 

[smacman]

The fix posted on another thread here worked for me. Redownloaded the 10.4.9 combo update and used Pacifist to extract the audio file affected. Replaced the new one in the System folder, rebooted, works fine now. Still running 10.4.10 otherwise.

If one were to apply this fix what would happen with subsequent updates? Would we have to manually change the file back before updating? I wish Apple would just FIX THIS ALREADY!!!!!!!

 

[solvs]

If one were to apply this fix what would happen with subsequent updates? Would we have to manually change the file back before updating? I wish Apple would just FIX THIS ALREADY!!!!!!!

I'm sure there will be a fix. October is awhile away, though Leopard will fix it. It's just changing one file, so if one were to update to 10.4.11 if there is one, and it didn't have the issue, it would work fine. Or if they release a new version of 10.4.10, it would also work fine. Otherwise, until then, replacing just that file with the 10.4.9 one works fine on my iMac.

 

[smacman]

solvs,

I think you have talked me into applying this fix. It's still a bummer though as one of the main reasons I (and many others) switched over from PCs is to avoid this sort of nonsense.

 

[.vin.]

w00t, finally the update we've been waiting for...
good job apple

 

[smacman]

Yes!!!!! Good news indeed. Thanks to apple for doing the right thing!