Overwhelmed newbie hearing popping sounds

[SirGrotius]

I looked through the posts, and haven't seen this yet, and I'm unsure how to refer to the steam technical help as the link in the sticky didn't work, and I'm not even sure what steam is (I just want to play the game).

Anyway, started playing the first level, really liked the atmosphere, didn't like the popping sounds I was hearing from my speakers every 10-15 seconds or so. It reminded me of a problem I had had with NWN.

Is this a known problem for which there is a workaround, if so, please point me in the right direction to get help.

My system:

Pentium IV 2Ghz Processor (the weak spot, I know)
A really sweet 19" monitor
An up-to-date GeForce 6800 GT 256MB Graphics Card
1 GB RAM
80 GB HD (okay, this is also weak)
Soundblaster Live (okay, this is also weak)

Thanks!

 

[huntingbear]

are you sure it's not in the electrical lines? i know when i flip lights on and off my speakers pop...maybe you have a device in your setup that essentially turns on and off many times a minute? or is it just in game

 

[Naudian]

I've heard popping sounds in games before (namely BIA & BF2), not sure what it is, but it's not too loud so I ignore it after a while.
If the ones you're hearing ARE loud and annoying, iunno, search google. Maybe it's your soundcard...

 

[Beerdude26]

I think I heard those popping sounds too in BIA. I also got weird sound problems with F.E.A.R. until I updated my soundcard drivers. Try doing that.

 

[SirGrotius]

You know, it never even occured to me to update my soundcard drivers, because, well my soundcard is boring. I'll give it a shot.