# PC audio problem

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-audio-problem/223929>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 11, 2004, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-audio-problem/223929 "2004-01-11T04:08:55Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2004, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-audio-problem/223929/1 "2004-01-11T04:08:55Z")

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The sound works but it seems speeded up. It’s hard to listen to Elton John when it sounds like the chipmunks. It’s not really that bad but its not far from it. Any ideas what might be the cause?

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**Author:** ![Lobsang](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobsang/32/4067_2.png) [@Lobsang](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobsang)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2004, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-audio-problem/223929/2 "2004-01-11T04:13:41Z")

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This is a weird problem. What application are you using to play the music. Is the music on a CD or is it MP3?

What is your sound card?

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**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2004, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-audio-problem/223929/3 "2004-01-11T04:16:48Z")

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Its any sound played on my wifes computer. It’s an onboard sound card.

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**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2004, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-audio-problem/223929/4 "2004-01-11T04:56:52Z")

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Check online for driver updates. 9 out of 10 problems are solved by this. If not, does the source play normally on another player or computer?

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**Author:** ![Quint\_Essence](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/54ee81/32.png) [@Quint\_Essence](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quint_Essence)\
**Post date:** [January 11, 2004, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pc-audio-problem/223929/5 "2004-01-11T07:45:38Z")

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usually this is a driver or sound software specific problem.  
When this happens it is usually the result of playing 22khz files as if they were 44khz files, essentially doubling the speed.  
Look for any setting options that address either playing sounds as 44 or 22khz or references to 8 bit or 16 bit (16 is better).