WIndows 7 + Delta 1010 Blues

I recently purchased a new computer so I could finally run Sonar X1 (which I think is awesome).

I have experienced the dreaded "static" distortion whenever I playback audio.  (I get distortion whether I am using Sonar or
playing audio from the web or an MP3.  )

I have done research - on the Maudio Forums and on the Cakewalk Forums (and all over the internet)   and have doe everything from Tweaking my Bios to optimizing windows 7.   My optimization has included optimizing the Delta 1010 IRQ through the registry, installing and reinstalling the sound card. I have only one PCI card and my Delta 1010 is at IRQ 20 - and not sharing with anything else.

Here are my computer specs:

Mainboard : Acer Aspire M3910
Chipset : Intel H57
Processor : Intel Core i3 550 @ 3200MHz
Physical Memory : 6144MB (3 x 2048 DDR3-SDRAM )
Video Card : Intel(R) HD Graphics
Hard Disk : Hitachi HDS721010CLA332 (1000GB)
Hard Disk : Western Digital WD10EALX-009BA0 (1000GB) 
DVD-Rom Drive : HL-DT-ST DVDRAM GH60N
Monitor Type : Hanns.G HB175 - 17 inches
Network Card : Ralink Technology RT3090 802.11n Wireless LAN Card
Network Card : Realtek Semiconductor RTL8168/8111 PCIe Gigabit Ethernet Adapter


I am using my Delta 1010 in ASIO - (24 Bit 44.1 setting)  I have disabled my wireless Lan Card - because I am not using it.
I am also using Windows 7 Service Pack 1 - and I have the latest Delta Drivers (From May, 2011)

I have been tweaking my system for the last several days and experimenting with different BIOS settings without any success.
I am convinced the issue is with the Delta Drivers - and how they interact with Windows 7 and my Intel Motherboard. 

I have reached the point where I am considering dumping my Delta 1010 for something new - though I would really love
continuing using this.  If anybody has any suggestions for me, I would greatly appreciate it.  I just want to get back to
making music and exploring the cool new features of X1.

Thanks in advance!

I have a delta 1010 that works fine with w/7.  I had a similar problem years ago that was a driver issue.  Maybe try increasing your buffer setting under preferences. 
 Can you still only use the 7/8 outputs with the latest drivers?

Some things to try (These are all mentioned in M-Audio's excellent DAW optimization guide... But since you never what people have actually tried - even when they say "I've tried everything"! - I'll throw these out there):

Have you disabled the onboard soundcard?  If not, do it - and while you're at it, disable the serial, firewire and parallel ports - assuming you don't use them, of course.  (Make sure you disable everything from the BIOS, and not Windows).  Also the power management stuff in the BIOS (Speedstep, C1E, etc).

Check that all of your drivers, including the BIOS, are up-to-date.

Change Win7 power setting from "Balanced' to "High Performance".

Temporarily disable your wired LAN (in BIOS) just to see if it makes a difference.

If you're not using a power conditioner - you should be plugged in to at least a surge protector - try a different power outlet.  Use a long extension cord and go to another room if you think it's necessary.

There are tons more tweaks where these came from, but these are good ones to start with.  

Keep us posted. 

By the way , the noise I had that turned out to be a driver issue was more of a very loud static thing, not a overdrive or digital over type of noise, if that helps any.

have you checked your DPC latency on this system?

Thanks again for responding!

Beagle -   I did check my DPC latency a few days back and the numbers were very good.

JonD -  I shut off the Intel VT in BIOS and still I get the same annoying static sound.   

Again the sound is on all of my audio - not just Sonar - even the opening Window's 7 theme music. 

I am going to try a few more things - but it is looking more and more like my Delta 1010 will be on Ebay before too long.

 Hopefully you've got this all taken care of. Just as info regarding the Delta 1010 PCI (not the 1010LT), it is VERY common for the older Delta 1010's to develop the static, distortion problem as the rack unit's large Power Supply filter capacitors go bad. It tends to happen slowly over time but has been known to just go from none to overbearing overnight. I had to replace 7 of the caps to fix mine, a 9 year old Delta 1010. Also, there are IC's - one for each channel - on the audio input circuit board that get way too hot and need to be heat-sinked to cool them and quiet the input (analog inputs). Replacement capacitors are not expensive ( I bought mine on ebaY for $4.70 shipped!) BUT you have to take your rack unit completely apart to get to them to be able to unsolder and re-solder in the replacements. There is a lot of info about this Capacitor problem on the M-Audio site. One way to see if your Delta1010 is suffering this problem is if you see your input signal meter in Delta Control Panel is showing input level when there is nothing connected to any inputs.

Just for the record, were you using the Delta 1010 PCI or the Delta 1010LT?

aoresteen


Just for the record, were you using the Delta 1010 PCI or the Delta 1010LT?

the Delta 1010LT is also PCI.  the difference between the 1010LT and the 1010 is that the 1010 has a breakout box with balanced connections, word clock and a few other features.  the 1010LT does not have a breakout box, does not have word clock sync and has less quality mic preamps.  the 1010LT has just a cable connection to the PCI card with XLR and RCA connectors directly on the cable instead of on the breakout box like the 1010 does.
 
as far as A/D and D/A conversion, they are the exact same PCI card.