Sound issues

[El Geo]

I read through a few topics regarding sound issues, and none seemed quite like what I'm experiencing. Where to begin...

I installed Civ 4 only recently, and have been playing without issue for a few weeks. That is, until today. I noticed that when the game loads, a few of my speakers begin hissing/popping, and the sound quality is absolutely shot. The bass is crackling, and it sounds terribly annoying. I get no error messages and until now have been able to play perfectly fine, with the sounds crisp and clear.

I tested the speakers outside of Civ 4 by playing some music, using other programs, etc, and they have no issue there. It is only when I start up Civ that the speakers seem to go nuts.

Any suggestions? Sorry if this has been posted elsewhere.

I just downloaded the 1.6.1 patch, but I can't seem to mount it for some reason..the .dmg tag isn't recognized, and I'm not sure what to do. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[crunch]

Have you altered your sound configuration recently (just before you first heard the hissing)? Undo any changes. Get updated sound card drivers.

I don't understand the part about patch. Mount it?? .dmg tag?? Anyway, try redownloading the patch, from e.g. here: http://www.civfanatics.com/civ4/patch/. Post the exact error message it gives, or screenshot.

 

[El Geo]

I figured out the part about the patch, no worries there.

Didn't change the sound configuration, although I'll try messing around with the drivers a bit and seeing if that helps.

 

[El Geo]

Still not working...anyone else got any suggestions?

I tried reinstalling as well, and updated my drivers.

 

[crunch]

I play with sounds off, thus, all I can recommend you is the ini file option "EnableAudio=0". But hopefully some sound guru will look at this thread...

 

[auldian]

Just to cover all bases, it's not this Warlord's bug described in http://forums.civfanatics.com/showthread.php?t=179475 is it?
Aside from that, clear the game's \cache folder, ensure the "Speakers" setting in the game's Audio panel is accurate for your computer's audio (ie EAX, Stereo, etc.), and try a new Civ game (assuming "when the game loads" refers to a saved game).
Good luck and let us know how it goes.

 

[El Geo]

Hmmm...no luck yet.

The settings are all right. How do I clear out this /cache folder? Looks like it's my last bet, 'cause I'm not sure what else to try.

Thanks for all the help guys. Worst case scenario I'll mute the sound and put on some music instead.

 

[auldian]

The "How to" is on page one of this thread.