Static problem

[AB]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my problem, if not,
perhaps someone can direct to a more appropriate one?

I've been having a problem with static noise - it comes out of the
speakers. If I shut off the speaker, no problem, but that's not a
solution. The static occurs frequently, but I can't link it to any
screen action. Sometimes I'll be in another room, not having used the
computer for an hour, and I'll suddenly hear this horrible loud static
noise coming from the PC. It's enough to really scare me! At times
the static has been activated by changes to the screen; once or twice
it followed keystrokes,sometimes it sounds like a clicking noise, but
mostly, I can't link it to anything. I've checked the plugs - none
are loose.

Questions - what can be causing this?
can it be dangerous?

Thanks for any help!

 

[nass]

RE: Static problem



"AB" wrote:

> I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my problem, if not,
> perhaps someone can direct to a more appropriate one?
>
> I've been having a problem with static noise - it comes out of the
> speakers. If I shut off the speaker, no problem, but that's not a
> solution. The static occurs frequently, but I can't link it to any
> screen action. Sometimes I'll be in another room, not having used the
> computer for an hour, and I'll suddenly hear this horrible loud static
> noise coming from the PC. It's enough to really scare me! At times
> the static has been activated by changes to the screen; once or twice
> it followed keystrokes,sometimes it sounds like a clicking noise, but
> mostly, I can't link it to anything. I've checked the plugs - none
> are loose.
>
> Questions - what can be causing this?
> can it be dangerous?
>
> Thanks for any help!

Did you tried Other brand speakers to see if the speaker the causer!
Some malware or Viral infection can cause this, so run a through scan for
malware and viruses on your machine.
Did it happen recently?
HTH,
nass
---
http://www.nasstec.co.uk

 

[smlunatick]

Re: Static problem

On Oct 6, 3:32 pm, AB <a...@pipeline.com> wrote:
> I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my problem, if not,
> perhaps someone can direct to a more appropriate one?
>
> I've been having a problem with static noise - it comes out of the
> speakers.  If I shut off the speaker, no problem, but that's not a
> solution.  The static occurs frequently, but I can't link it to any
> screen action.  Sometimes I'll be in another room, not having used the
> computer for an hour, and I'll suddenly hear this horrible loud static
> noise coming from the PC.  It's enough to really scare me!  At times
> the static has been activated by changes to the screen; once or twice
> it followed keystrokes,sometimes it sounds like a clicking noise, but
> mostly, I can't link it to anything.  I've checked the plugs - none
> are loose.
>
> Questions - what can be causing this?
>               can it be dangerous?  
>
> Thanks for any help!

Static can be caused by a lot of different things. To check this out:

1) Turn off or move all / any radios / TVs from the PC area.

2) Re-locate any cordless phones

3) If you have a cell phone, move it away from the PC. Cell phones
that use the GSM carrier signals (easy to check since if you need a
special SIM card, it is usually a GSM based cell phone) can have
"sounds" received by the PC "stereo" speakers.

4) PC power supplies that are "cheap" do not have enough shielding for
blocking out the power caused "static."

5) Improper power grounding -- extremely important that the PC is
plugged into a grounded, polarized power outlet.

 

[HeyBub]

Re: Static problem

smlunatick wrote:
> On Oct 6, 3:32 pm, AB <a...@pipeline.com> wrote:
>> I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my problem, if not,
>> perhaps someone can direct to a more appropriate one?
>>
>> I've been having a problem with static noise - it comes out of the
>> speakers. If I shut off the speaker, no problem, but that's not a
>> solution. The static occurs frequently, but I can't link it to any
>> screen action. Sometimes I'll be in another room, not having used the
>> computer for an hour, and I'll suddenly hear this horrible loud
>> static noise coming from the PC. It's enough to really scare me! At
>> times the static has been activated by changes to the screen; once
>> or twice it followed keystrokes,sometimes it sounds like a clicking
>> noise, but mostly, I can't link it to anything. I've checked the
>> plugs - none are loose.
>>
>> Questions - what can be causing this?
>> can it be dangerous?
>>
>> Thanks for any help!
>
> Static can be caused by a lot of different things. To check this out:
>
> 1) Turn off or move all / any radios / TVs from the PC area.
>
> 2) Re-locate any cordless phones
>
> 3) If you have a cell phone, move it away from the PC. Cell phones
> that use the GSM carrier signals (easy to check since if you need a
> special SIM card, it is usually a GSM based cell phone) can have
> "sounds" received by the PC "stereo" speakers.
>
> 4) PC power supplies that are "cheap" do not have enough shielding for
> blocking out the power caused "static."
>
> 5) Improper power grounding -- extremely important that the PC is
> plugged into a grounded, polarized power outlet.

6. Turn off or move away from non-incandescent lights (CFL, florescent,
Halide, etc.) and motors (aquarium pump, elevator, etc.).

 

[AB]

Re: Static problem

Thanks everyone for your help!

I guess it's possible the speakers (or speaker wires) could be the
cause? Everything else mentioned is OK. i've had the computer in the
same place for 5 years; haven't installed anything (lights,
electronics, phone) near it in that time. It is grounded. This
started about 6 months ago, but stopped after a short time. Now it's
back with a veangence! I wonder....I live in an apartment; could it
be interference coming in from the apartment below me??

Regards,
Ann




On Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:32:07 -0400, AB <ab@pipeline.com> wrote:

>I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my problem, if not,
>perhaps someone can direct to a more appropriate one?
>
>I've been having a problem with static noise - it comes out of the
>speakers. If I shut off the speaker, no problem, but that's not a
>solution. The static occurs frequently, but I can't link it to any
>screen action. Sometimes I'll be in another room, not having used the
>computer for an hour, and I'll suddenly hear this horrible loud static
>noise coming from the PC. It's enough to really scare me! At times
>the static has been activated by changes to the screen; once or twice
>it followed keystrokes,sometimes it sounds like a clicking noise, but
>mostly, I can't link it to anything. I've checked the plugs - none
>are loose.
>
>Questions - what can be causing this?
> can it be dangerous?
>
>Thanks for any help!
>

 

[witan]

Re: Static problem

On Oct 6, 11:46 pm, AB <a...@pipeline.com> wrote:
> Thanks everyone for your help!
>
> I guess it's possible the speakers (or speaker wires) could be the
> cause?  Everything else mentioned is OK.  i've had the computer in the
> same place for 5 years; haven't installed anything (lights,
> electronics, phone) near it in that time.  It is grounded. This
> started about 6 months ago, but stopped after a short time.  Now it's
> back with a veangence!  I wonder....I live in an apartment; could it
> be interference coming in from the apartment below me??
>
> Regards,
> Ann
>
>
>
> On Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:32:07 -0400, AB <a...@pipeline.com> wrote:
> >I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my problem, if not,
> >perhaps someone can direct to a more appropriate one?
>
> >I've been having a problem with static noise - it comes out of the
> >speakers.  If I shut off the speaker, no problem, but that's not a
> >solution.  The static occurs frequently, but I can't link it to any
> >screen action.  Sometimes I'll be in another room, not having used the
> >computer for an hour, and I'll suddenly hear this horrible loud static
> >noise coming from the PC.  It's enough to really scare me!  At times
> >the static has been activated by changes to the screen; once or twice
> >it followed keystrokes,sometimes it sounds like a clicking noise, but
> >mostly, I can't link it to anything.  I've checked the plugs - none
> >are loose.
>
> >Questions - what can be causing this?
> >          can it be dangerous?  
>
> >Thanks for any help!

In addition to the causes suggested by others, sparking anywhere in
the electrical wiring in the vicinity -- i.e., not necessarily
restricted to the "plugs" to which your computer system is connected,
not even your own apartment -- can cause such noises. I am speaking
from actual experience.
Regards
witan

 

[Twayne]

Re: Static problem

> On Oct 6, 3:32 pm, AB <a...@pipeline.com> wrote:
>> I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my problem, if not,
>> perhaps someone can direct to a more appropriate one?
>>
>> I've been having a problem with static noise - it comes out of the
>> speakers. If I shut off the speaker, no problem, but that's not a
>> solution. The static occurs frequently, but I can't link it to any
>> screen action. Sometimes I'll be in another room, not having used the
>> computer for an hour, and I'll suddenly hear this horrible loud
>> static noise coming from the PC. It's enough to really scare me! At
>> times the static has been activated by changes to the screen; once
>> or twice it followed keystrokes,sometimes it sounds like a clicking
>> noise, but mostly, I can't link it to anything. I've checked the
>> plugs - none are loose.
>>
>> Questions - what can be causing this?
>> can it be dangerous?
>>
>> Thanks for any help!
>
> Static can be caused by a lot of different things. To check this out:
>
> 1) Turn off or move all / any radios / TVs from the PC area.
>
> 2) Re-locate any cordless phones
>
> 3) If you have a cell phone, move it away from the PC. Cell phones
> that use the GSM carrier signals (easy to check since if you need a
> special SIM card, it is usually a GSM based cell phone) can have
> "sounds" received by the PC "stereo" speakers.
>
> 4) PC power supplies that are "cheap" do not have enough shielding for
> blocking out the power caused "static."
>
> 5) Improper power grounding -- extremely important that the PC is
> plugged into a grounded, polarized power outlet.

True, but those wouldn't have the intermittancy the OP talked about.
Nor the differences in sound types.

 

[Twayne]

Re: Static problem

> Thanks everyone for your help!
>
> I guess it's possible the speakers (or speaker wires) could be the
> cause? Everything else mentioned is OK. i've had the computer in the
> same place for 5 years; haven't installed anything (lights,
> electronics, phone) near it in that time. It is grounded. This
> started about 6 months ago, but stopped after a short time. Now it's
> back with a veangence! I wonder....I live in an apartment; could it
> be interference coming in from the apartment below me??
>
> Regards,
> Ann

That's a possibility. Or something on the street outside maybe.
Does it ever stop completely? Or is it there all the time, just
different at different times?
Is there any time during each day that it happens?
Have you flexed the wires at every connector point? To see if it makes
it come and go?


The causes could be anything from interference to the sound card itself
to the speakers, the one with the amps in it in particular.
The wires themselves wouldn't be the cause, but loose connections of
hte wires could be.
Try re-orienting each speaker component 90 degrees & see if it changes
the noise. Not very useful, but might indicate for sure that it's
interference getting into them.
Got another speaker system you can try?
Got a different sound card and software you can try?

Please post back if/when you find the solution. I have the exact same
thing!! Only a private home in the country, no neighbors, & nothing
seems to fix it<g>.

Twayne



>
>
>
>
> On Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:32:07 -0400, AB <ab@pipeline.com> wrote:
>
>> I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my problem, if not,
>> perhaps someone can direct to a more appropriate one?
>>
>> I've been having a problem with static noise - it comes out of the
>> speakers. If I shut off the speaker, no problem, but that's not a
>> solution. The static occurs frequently, but I can't link it to any
>> screen action. Sometimes I'll be in another room, not having used
>> the computer for an hour, and I'll suddenly hear this horrible loud
>> static noise coming from the PC. It's enough to really scare me!
>> At times the static has been activated by changes to the screen;
>> once or twice it followed keystrokes,sometimes it sounds like a
>> clicking noise, but mostly, I can't link it to anything. I've
>> checked the plugs - none are loose.
>>
>> Questions - what can be causing this?
>> can it be dangerous?
>>
>> Thanks for any help!

 

[AB]

Re: Static problem

On Tue, 7 Oct 2008 10:12:09 -0400, "Twayne"
<nobody@devnull.spamcop.net> wrote:

>> Thanks everyone for your help!
>>
>> I guess it's possible the speakers (or speaker wires) could be the
>> cause? Everything else mentioned is OK. i've had the computer in the
>> same place for 5 years; haven't installed anything (lights,
>> electronics, phone) near it in that time. It is grounded. This
>> started about 6 months ago, but stopped after a short time. Now it's
>> back with a veangence! I wonder....I live in an apartment; could it
>> be interference coming in from the apartment below me??
>>
>> Regards,
>> Ann
>
>That's a possibility. Or something on the street outside maybe.
>Does it ever stop completely? Or is it there all the time, just
>different at different times?
>Is there any time during each day that it happens?
>Have you flexed the wires at every connector point? To see if it makes
>it come and go?
>
>
>The causes could be anything from interference to the sound card itself
>to the speakers, the one with the amps in it in particular.
> The wires themselves wouldn't be the cause, but loose connections of
>hte wires could be.
>Try re-orienting each speaker component 90 degrees & see if it changes
>the noise. Not very useful, but might indicate for sure that it's
>interference getting into them.
> Got another speaker system you can try?
> Got a different sound card and software you can try?
>
>Please post back if/when you find the solution. I have the exact same
>thing!! Only a private home in the country, no neighbors, & nothing
>seems to fix it<g>.
>
>Twayne


It really is such a mystery! Sorry Twayne, that you have the problem
too, but glad I'm not alone in this! Wiish I lived where you do!
Maybe it's a high wire or satellite dish causing your prob??


There are lots of times when the noise doesn't happen. Was screaming
at me half an hour ago and now it's silent (normal). It had
originally started months ago, (maybe 8 - 10) but then went away for a
few months so I forgot about it until it started again recently. This
time, it's somewhat different than previously when I thought it might
be the video card as it happened every time the screen changed.

What's scary aside from the level of noise, is that, in the past, the
computer crashed a couple times when it got bad and I got the blue
screen. Last night the system crashed too, although I wasn't on it
when it happened - just found I had to reboot when I returned and had
a message from WindowsXP about recovering from a serious problem. I
assume it's also connected to the static noise. I do have my data all
backed up off line but don't want this PC to be destroyed.

I've jiggled wires, made sure plugs are fully plugged in, changed
position of speakers. Nothing gets rid of it. Next, I'll ask a
friend to come over with an extra pair of speakers and swap mine out
to see if it's that. But I'm not sure if the problem is from the
speakers or it's just transmitting the noise from another part of the
system.

I will continue to post as I try more solutions. Thanks for the
suggestions.

 

[AB]

Re: Static problem

As promised, some follow up. Last night, my cable tv (on the other
side of a wall from the computer) went out. Prior to that, the static
in the computer was so bad I that I turned the speakers off so as not
to hear it. The TV came back up after maybe 10 minutes. This morning
I turned the speakers back on - absolutely no static! I'm assuming
whatever caused the cabletv to mess up was the same thing affecting my
computer. Or, perhaps it was the cabletv doing it!

Hope the quiet lasts!!

Cheers,
AB



On Mon, 06 Oct 2008 10:32:07 -0400, AB <ab@pipeline.com> wrote:

>I'm not sure if this is the right forum for my problem, if not,
>perhaps someone can direct to a more appropriate one?
>
>I've been having a problem with static noise - it comes out of the
>speakers. If I shut off the speaker, no problem, but that's not a
>solution. The static occurs frequently, but I can't link it to any
>screen action. Sometimes I'll be in another room, not having used the
>computer for an hour, and I'll suddenly hear this horrible loud static
>noise coming from the PC. It's enough to really scare me! At times
>the static has been activated by changes to the screen; once or twice
>it followed keystrokes,sometimes it sounds like a clicking noise, but
>mostly, I can't link it to anything. I've checked the plugs - none
>are loose.
>
>Questions - what can be causing this?
> can it be dangerous?
>
>Thanks for any help!
>