Soundcard noise?

Is there any way fix the static noise that comes out of the speakers
even when the computer is off and doing nothing? I believe that this
noise is as a result of having the sound card hardware directly on the
motherboard, subject to all of the electrical noise of the motherboard.

Are there any suggestions for alternatives to the embedded soundcard? I
don't think even a PCI soundcard is immune from the electrical noise.

Yousuf Khan

On 4/8/2017 9:26 AM, Yousuf Khan wrote:
Is there any way fix the static noise that comes out of the speakers
even when the computer is off and doing nothing? I believe that this
noise is as a result of having the sound card hardware directly on the
motherboard, subject to all of the electrical noise of the motherboard.

Are there any suggestions for alternatives to the embedded soundcard? I
don't think even a PCI soundcard is immune from the electrical noise.

Yousuf Khan

That's a bit vague to provide any clear answers, so I'll just say that
none of my systems have such problems, whether they're basic
"consumer-grade" or pro-level audio workstations with over 50 inputs,
both analog and digital.

--
best regards,

Neil

On 8/04/2017 9:26 PM, Yousuf Khan wrote:
Is there any way fix the static noise that comes out of the speakers
even when the computer is off and doing nothing? I believe that this
noise is as a result of having the sound card hardware directly on the
motherboard, subject to all of the electrical noise of the motherboard.

You talking about the front panel audio or the audio outputs at the back?


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Yousuf Khan wrote:
Is there any way fix the static noise that comes out of the speakers
even when the computer is off and doing nothing? I believe that this
noise is as a result of having the sound card hardware directly on the
motherboard, subject to all of the electrical noise of the motherboard.

Are there any suggestions for alternatives to the embedded soundcard? I
don't think even a PCI soundcard is immune from the electrical noise.

Yousuf Khan

And you checked, that with the inputs on the amplified computer
speakers grounded, there is no junction noise to speak of in
the amplifier itself ?

I'm just going by your description of a static noise.

Paul

Yousuf Khan wrote:
Is there any way fix the static noise that comes out of the speakers even when the
computer is off and doing nothing? I believe that this noise is as a result of having the
sound card hardware directly on the motherboard, subject to all of the electrical noise of
the motherboard.

Are there any suggestions for alternatives to the embedded soundcard? I don't think even a
PCI soundcard is immune from the electrical noise.

Yousuf Khan

That's really odd.
I have never had any speaker noise on any comp.
The choke coils on the MB sometimes whine when stressed but that does
not get into the sound system.
My guess your noise is due to a wiring problem.

On 4/8/2017 9:59 AM, Wolf K wrote:
When the computer is off, there will be no noise. I think you mean when
it's hibernating or on standby. In which case IMO your machine is
defective. Induced currents when the machine is turned off are possible,
but I think that would require rather strong electromagnetic fields near
you.

Happens even when the computer is completely shutdown. But even in a
shutdown situation, I think some power flows through the system, at
least for such operations as Wake-on-LAN or things like that.

Now that would be interesting to test out. What if I do a complete
power-off using the mechanical switch at the back of the PSU. Anyways,
it's irrelevant, still need a solution to the noise problem in standard
usage.

Yousuf Khan

On 4/8/2017 10:50 AM, KenW wrote:
The power supply for the speakers may be defective. Also leaving the
power to the speakers always on may be too much for the power supply.

This assumes that you are using external powered speakers since the
computer is OFF. Usually the audio from the computer is not powerful
enough to power speakers directly.

Yeah, the vast majority of speakers are powered these days.

On 4/8/2017 11:17 AM, Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:
You talking about the front panel audio or the audio outputs at the back?

The back.

On 4/8/2017 11:29 AM, Paul wrote:
And you checked, that with the inputs on the amplified computer
speakers grounded, there is no junction noise to speak of in
the amplifier itself ?

I'm just going by your description of a static noise.

Paul

Well, I'm not sure if the speakers have grounded plugs, too many other
plugs around there to go check right now.

Yousuf Khan

On 4/10/2017 8:28 AM, Yousuf Khan wrote:
On 4/8/2017 9:59 AM, Wolf K wrote:
When the computer is off, there will be no noise. I think you mean when
it's hibernating or on standby. In which case IMO your machine is
defective. Induced currents when the machine is turned off are possible,
but I think that would require rather strong electromagnetic fields near
you.

Happens even when the computer is completely shutdown. But even in a
shutdown situation, I think some power flows through the system, at
least for such operations as Wake-on-LAN or things like that.

Now that would be interesting to test out. What if I do a complete
power-off using the mechanical switch at the back of the PSU. Anyways,
it's irrelevant, still need a solution to the noise problem in standard
usage.

It's not irrelevant, because if you still get static noise from your
speakers when the computer is completely powered down, you can eliminate
it as a source of your problem. So, it's an easy test to determine where
to look next.

--
best regards,

Neil

On 4/10/2017 9:11 AM, Neil wrote:
It's not irrelevant, because if you still get static noise from your
speakers when the computer is completely powered down, you can eliminate
it as a source of your problem. So, it's an easy test to determine where
to look next.

Yeah, you're right, I did turn it off from the back, and the noise
remained.

So the question now becomes, how do I fix these speakers?

On 10/04/2017 8:30 PM, Yousuf Khan wrote:
On 4/8/2017 11:17 AM, Mr. Man-wai Chang wrote:
You talking about the front panel audio or the audio outputs at the back?

The back.

I heard a say that some front panels had its audio's ground pin shared
with USB ports' ground, causing this noise. Not sure whether it applies
to your case.

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/ v \ Simplicity is Beauty!
/( _ )\ May the Force and farces be with you!
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In article , bbbl67
@spammenot.yahoo.com says...
Happens even when the computer is completely shutdown.

Do you get this noise if you plug a pair of headphones into the audio
outlet?
If you don't and you are using external powered speakers then the fault
is with them.

On 4/10/2017 9:58 AM, Yousuf Khan wrote:
On 4/10/2017 9:11 AM, Neil wrote:
It's not irrelevant, because if you still get static noise from your
speakers when the computer is completely powered down, you can eliminate
it as a source of your problem. So, it's an easy test to determine where
to look next.

Yeah, you're right, I did turn it off from the back, and the noise
remained.

So the question now becomes, how do I fix these speakers?

The next thing I'd check is the wire feeding the audio to the speakers.
If it is permanently attached to the speakers, then short-circuit it by
connecting a wire to all the rings on the jack (I'm trying not to be too
technical on purpose, but if you need more details, do a search on "ring
tip sleeve jacks"). If that quieta the speakers down, it implies a few
things. If the wire is detachable, replace it. If not, you may be SOL.

--
best regards,

Neil

Yousuf Khan wrote:
On 4/8/2017 11:29 AM, Paul wrote:
And you checked, that with the inputs on the amplified computer
speakers grounded, there is no junction noise to speak of in
the amplifier itself ?

I'm just going by your description of a static noise.

Paul

Well, I'm not sure if the speakers have grounded plugs, too many other
plugs around there to go check right now.

Yousuf Khan

It's best for a computer amplified speaker, if it uses
a two-prong plug and not a three-prong plug (in North America).
The amplified speakers should not have an absolute ground
reference. They should "float". When you connect the
1/8" LineOut from the computer to the speakers, that
ground conductor on the cable, establishes ground.
Such an architecture, is intended to prevent ground
loops which cause hum. You'll notice that a lot of
computer speakers (with the exception of their cheap
power supply designs inside), are really quite good
on hum.

I'm not referring to that.

I'm referring to "how do the speakers perform with
a zero volt signal on input". If you remember the
days of eight track, some of the power amps back
then, used to "hiss like crazy". And those were
semiconductor junctions, and their noise spectrum.

Such noises never really go away, but you will find
some modern designs that are pretty quiet when receiving
zero volt input.

On my amplifier where I have a schematic, I know that
turning the knob down to zero, gives a quiet zero volt
input. Because it shorts the two input terminals
together on that channel. Each channel of the amp
has its own volume control (so you can define
balance too).

https://s14.postimg.org/9s4yol6j5/na...d_speakers.gif

Disconnecting the cable, is to ensure there is no path
for hum. Then, turning the volume knob down to zero,
gives a chance to listen for amplifier noise. YMMV.

Paul