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Sound Problems after last MS update ?

Apr 24, 2016 4:34PM PDT

I have 2 desktop computers running 64 bit Windows 10, connected to a 3 way A/V switch to select which signal I would like to send to a 32in. flat screen and a set of speakers.

Both computers have the Realtec High Definition Audio but different motherboards.

Well after the last big MS update the audio on both computers has been cutting in and out and I thought it couldn't possibly be the comps as they are pretty new (you guys helped me build them) , Device Manager said everything was working fine on both .
Ran Ubuntu and everything was fine.

Booted Windows back up and ran the Troubleshooter on the Realtek High Def Audio and it came up with "Disable Enhancements".....So I disabled them even though no enhancements were being used on both and I be damned if it didn't fix it on both computers.

Now , That's what's bugging me here,
How can I have to disable enhancements on 2 different computers in Realtec Audio after the Windows update, especially since I don't have Windows install drivers , so what's the connection here ?

Discussion is locked

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The thing is (oh, it's you!) Hi therre!
Apr 24, 2016 4:59PM PDT

That my last desktop with a realtik HD Audio is not using the realtek at all when I connect with HDMI and send audio over HDMI. I recall I disabled that in the BIOS and still got sound over HDMI. Confusing but since sound is all digital, I would not be looking at Realtek.

But the way drivers hook in like that, plus you solved it I won't disagree with the fix.

Windows has a long history of us having to turn things on and off to fix stuff. This has lead to some leaving Windows forever.

Post was last edited on April 24, 2016 5:10 PM PDT

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I just can't get a grip on it.
Apr 25, 2016 6:41AM PDT

How that could even be possible across 2 separate independent computers.
I guess it's gonna have to be one of those mystery's that boggles this noob's mind enough to keep me interested in this learning experience.

I want to say Thanks again to all of you for teaching me enough to be able to test things out and fix the issue even though I don't understand it. Wink

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Now that I've thought about it.
Apr 25, 2016 7:55AM PDT

I think one of the updates was replacing some internal audio processing in Windows. That means these audio drivers would do a mini-self-install-and-repair.

Most have seen that happen when you remove something in device manager and on the next boot it reinstalls.

So, there's something in the Realtek driver defaults that causes this issue. Sorry but as I don't have a thing to do with this, that's my theory as I have worked with others on driver creation long ago.

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maybe "hardware acceleration" issue involved?
Apr 25, 2016 9:49AM PDT

maybe that's the "enhancements" it was looking for, but if turned off couldn't find?

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I dunno
Apr 25, 2016 10:04AM PDT

I checked the "Disable Enhancements" box in Realtek Audio and it was the fix on both computers.