Very loud sound cracks using W530 in docking station

[Pearf]

Hi,

i have a very annoying problem with my W530. When i'm using it in the docking station (last years version without usb 3.0) erverything works fine, but there are a few very loud sound cracks playing through my external speaker system. Without the dock with the buildin speakers no problem. My external speaker plugged in the headphone jack no prob either.

These loud sound cracks appear when a few seconds no sound is played and then when a new sound starts to play. So i guess it has something to do with some power saving mechanism in the realtek sound chipset. When a continues sound is played like a song no sound cracks are happening.

Any solution for this? Should i contact the lenovo support?

Regards

[ExJamJus]

@Pearf,

Try updating the BIOS and audio drivers and see problem persist. Also do you have another docking station which you can test on and see if its caused by the dock?

[Pearf]

Hi,

yes i already updated the bios and audio driver to the latest version. I even tried other versions from the realtek site. No luck.

I have a feeling that this is a hardware problem in combination with this dock. Maybe i can try another dock at my local lenovo dealer.

[ExJamJus]

Yes please do that then we are able to narrow down to if its the dock causing the issue or the laptop itself.

Also please post back your findings =)

[Pearf]

Hi,

i've been to the local lenovo store and we tested this problem with various configurations.

What i can say is: This problem is HUGE!

Alright one thing at a time. We could repreduce the sound cracks/plopping with my config at the shop.

Than we tried:

- my W530 with a new 2011 docking -> sound cracking

- my W530 with a 2012 docking -> sound cracking

- a another W530 demo unit with a 2012 docking -> sound cracking

- a L430 unit with a 2012 docking -> sound cracking

All bios and drivers were up to date. The technican was standing there helpless and had no other ideas. He took my credetials and promised me to contact lenovo and report back when they come up with a solution.

We both guessed that this a problem is affecting the complete new 2012 thinkpad lineup because of the switch from the conexant to the realtek audio chipset.

What can be done to solve this issue? New driver or firmware (the newest driver from the realtek site has the same problem apart from this the dolby enhancement won't work too) Or do i need a new board with a new hardware revision that is fixed?

I am very stressed out because a can't really use sound on my docking

I made a quick video showing the issue in action: http://youtu.be/rj-OgAop1aY You see every time i start this windows alert sound it pops and than a few seconds later. Very annoying!

Thank you for your help

Regards

[ExJamJus]

First of all ... nice setup you have~!

Appreciate if you can send me a private message with the following. Will try to get engineering to look into this

MTM:
S/N:
BIOS:
Win 7 (x86, x64)
Audio Driver:
Video Driver:
Ram Config (Any additional 3rd party or Lenovo Ram)
FRU for Docking station:

Also was wondering how did you simulate the Windows alert sound?

[Pearf]

Thanks man. This is my 12 square meter office. I build this setup one by one over the last 3 years. Especially the monitors were kinda expensive.

In the system control panel -> sound there is a menu where you can test the build in windows sounds like the pop when opening a folder and so on.

PM is underway... Thanks very much so far!

[harrisb]

Have you tried to delete all of the Realtek drivers and just use the one from Microsoft? Just a thought here in your problem determination.

[DaveHembree]

Just seeing if anyone has a solution for this yet?  I just purchased a W530 and docking station and the sound is popping on the docking station.  I just received a warranty replacement in the mail today - and it is popping too.  The external speaker works perfect when plugged directly into the laptop.

[kminard]

Hi.  New ThinkPad just arrived Friday.  I have the exact same issue as stated above.  It is almost like the sound device is powering on just before a sound is played and then right back off again.  There is a loud "pop" before and after ever sound is played or if there is a pause of over 3 seconds between a sound being sent to the sound interface.  When using hte HDMI sound output through DisplayPort or HDMI I dont' have the issue but I do have the issue with anything plugged in the dock audio port - headphones, external speakers, anything.

My config is below:

1	2436CTO	ThinkPad W530 - 1 Year Depot Warranty
	Processor Intel Core i7-3920XM Processor (2.90GHz, 8MB L3, 1600MHz)   Operating system   Genuine Windows 7 Professional (64 bit)   Operating system language   Genuine Windows 7 Professional 64 - English   Display type   15.6" FHD (1900 x 1080) LED Backlit Anti-Glare Display, Mobile Broadband Ready   System graphics   NVIDIA Quadro K2000M Graphics with 2GB DDR3 Memory   Color sensor   Color Sensor   Total memory   32 GB PC3-12800 DDR3 (4 DIMM)   Keyboard   Keyboard Backlit - US English   Pointing device   UltraNav with Fingerprint Reader for Color Sensor, Smart Card Reader   Camera   720p HD Camera with Microphone   Hard drive   256GB SSD Drive   Optical device   DVD Recordable   System expansion slots   Express Card Slot & 4-in-1 Card Reader & Smart Card Reader   Battery   6 Cell Li-Ion TWL 70+   Power cord   170W Slim AC Adapter - US (2pin)   Bluetooth   Bluetooth 4.0 with Antenna   Integrated WiFi wireless LAN adapters   Intel Centrino Ultimate-N 6300 AGN   Integrated mobile broadband   GOBI Mobile Broadband   Language pack   Publication - US English
	41C9338	3YR Onsite + 3YR ThinkPad Protection
	433835U	Mini Dock Plus Series 3 with USB 3.0 - 170W (US/Can/LA)