How to Fix Crackling or Popping Sound from Headphones and Speakers?

I use a Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming laptop for work and for the past few months, I've been getting these constant (like every 10 seconds or so), loud, and very annoying crackling sounds whenever I'm listening to any audio whether using the speaker or a pair of headphones.

I've spend hours searching for a solution every few months or so, but had to force myself to content with the crackling until yesterday... when I finally found a very easy solution.

Hopefully, it will help you too! 

*Note that people using HP laptops also reported the same issue.

The Issue:

It is actually your Realtek audio driver that's causing the problem and you cannot fix it by simply updating it.

Instead, you will need to do this...

The Solution:

-A Quick Fix- 

*Please note that these instructions are for Win 10 users. The solution should work for other Windows versions though! 

1. Right click on your Windows Start button and select Device Manager

2. Under "Sound, video and game controller", right click on "Realtek Audio" (it might also be "Realtek High Definition Audio")

3. Select "disable"

4. Right click on the same "Realtek Audio" (or "Realtek High Definition Audio")

5. Select "Update Driver", then select "Browse my computer for driver software", and then select "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer"

6. Once done, you should see another audio device, "High Definition Audio Device", that's available besides your Realtek Audio. Select that one instead.

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7. Click "Next" and a warning will pop up. Ignore the warning and click "Yes".

8. The computer will then ask you to reboot. Do that and you can test out your crackling-free audio with a music track or two.

However, note that this change is only temporary. The computer will revert back to the Realtek Audio on the next reboot.

Due to this, here's a more permanent solution:

-Permanent Solution-
1. Set up a System Restore Point first, just in case something goes wrong.

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2. Once done, go to Control Panel (use the same search function to find the Control Panel) and select "Uninstall a Program" (it's under "Programs")

3. Search for "Realtek High Definition Audio Driver" and uninstall it.

Click to enlarge

That's about it :) Hope this helps!


Source: http://zipansion.com/2KBS0

Pokemon Go: How to Spot a Shiny Plusle and Minun?

If you haven't caught a Shiny Plusle and Minun yet, you might want to check this visual guide out.

Plusle can be hard to spot if you're not paying attention since a Shiny Plusle has the exact same color scheme as the normal one.

However, if you keep your eyes on the Plusle when you tap into it, you should spot the sparkles (note the screenshot). They will appear briefly right after the game loads into the Pokemon catch screen.

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Fun fact: If you exit from the "pokemon catch screen", and tap on the same shiny pokemon again, the pokemon will remain shiny. BUT if another person tap on the same pokemon on the map, he/she might not get a shiny.

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Spotting a Shiny Minun is a lot easier. Just tap into every Minun you see and then look for green ears and paws.

You won't be able to spot the green parts from the map though - you actually have to tap on the Minun before you can see whether it is a shiny or not. This is true for all shinies, including the iconic red eyes of a Shiny Aron or the yellow body of a Shiny Swablu.

Last tip: Tap on every Plusle and Minun you see on the map. You'll eventually find a Shiny or two!


Okay, that's about it. Good luck on your hunt! :)