Noisey Sound Card

Recently I've been getting noise/static coming from my speakers connected to my Sound Blaster Live sound card. The PC is a P3 600Meg, with an ASUS mother board.

The noise can best be described as a variable static from both channels (sort of like the sound of wind blowing across a microphone) - it is NOT a hum or buzz like you would get from a bad ground or faulty shield,, etc...

The level of the noise is modestly noticeable at the usual volume setting., especially when nothing is playing. When I play some music the noise may be distorting the audio a bit..

I thought it might be the sound card so I swapped it out with an identical "Live" card and the noise is the same. I also tried different cabling, amp and speakers but no change...

The noise is always there but strangely seems worse when different applns are used on the PC; for example when Kazaa is running the noise level increases (or at least a new noise is added to the backgrnd)...

I'm looking for ideas and suggestions of what to try to get rid of this noise. Could it be a 'noisy' power supply..., etc?

 

Hi gemo

Changing the above was a good start. It appears your picking up transient static... this can be a real bear to track down. First start with the 110 volt house circut. Has ANYTHING been added, such as a fan (static commonly created by motors). Number of years back had a blinking neon light disrupting modem comminications. Eliminated the light, problem resolved. If you can access another electrical outlet that is on a different breaker circuit is one way to isolate static problems. Isolating, distance, shielding is the task. This includes cables going to the speakers and the speakers themselves. I'm sure you will have numerous additional tips and tricks.
FINAL check ... take your computer to a different house. If problem resolved, issue is NOT in your computer, it's in your environment.

 

Thanks Dennis - some good thinking here, so tonight I'll follow up on your troubleshooting ideas...

In reply however it s/b noted that I have another 2 PC's in te house connected (by LAN etc)and they don't seem to have this problem, which I guess suggests it isn't something in the house (nothing new has been added in any case)...

To be certain however I will check this out this evening...

G.

 

This could be correct assumption if they are on the SAME circut breaker... if not search continues. Remember, different outlets, different rooms, does not meant different circuts / breakers.... or if problem is internal to computer.

Variable pitch change still sounds like a motor (fan on processor can be variable).