soundcard pooping out

[diduknowthat]

Ok my soundcard is being really wierd. Sometimes when i plug or unplug the cables from it, the whole computer crashes and goes to the BSOD. Then when i reboot the computer the soundcard would show up as "unable to start device". And it usually starts to work again when i reseat the soundcard. Why's it doing this?? I'm really considering getting a new one...

 

[The_Other_One]

Have you tried other drivers, or tried to disable the auto detect feature some newer sound cards have? Where they detect what cables are plugged into what ports.

 

[diduknowthat]

It's one of those no name maddog cards (got it for free), so there is only 1 driver. Also, I haven't seen anything about autodetect on the card, I'll look around for it though.

 

[PC eye]

Although plugging and unplugging cords/cables in or out while powered up is certainly not advised it sounds like it's time to get a replacement. If something on the card itself is failing it could be seeing a short to ground. The other thought is that you are lifting the card in the slot when you are moving cables. If you tug on those or push in a little too hard the card is being lifted.