Where does the phantom music come from

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  1. Posts : 42
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
       #1

    Where does the phantom music come from


    I keep getting snatches of music lasting about 1 second at odd intervals, never long enough to identify what the music is, or even if it is music. It only happens once or twice a day, at most, as far as I am aware, but of course it could be happening when I am not listening. Some days I do not hear it at all.

    Can anyone suggest how I might go about tracking down the source of this noise?

    Viv
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #2

    It`s probably a result of something you`ve downloaded. Check in Add/Remove programs for anything that looks suspicious and run your Anti-Virus and install and run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #3

    Could a sound scheme (or an event within a sound scheme) have been changed to play something like what the OP is hearing?
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 42
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Thanks for the suggestions AddRAM, but nothing shows up in Malwarebytes, AdwCleaner or Microsoft Security Essentials, and I cannot see any programs I have installed which might do this.

    UsernameIssues, I have opened Volume Mixer and disabled System Sounds, right clicked on the icon and the Sound Scheme is set to Windows Default, with Plays Windows Startup sound checked. On the Communications tab it is set to 'Reduce the volume of other sounds by 80%', but as it looks as if that is only to do with making phone calls via the computer it does not look as if changing that will be of any benefit.

    If the sound lasted long enough for me to identify it I might be able to make more progress. Thanks to both for your help.

    Viv
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #5

    Changing the sound scheme to Windows Default might not help you to find the problem. It is possible to to have a non-default sound play under the sound scheme named Windows Default. Take the time to Test each sound.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #6

    Would you by chance have a web page open when this happens?
    Sometimes when a web page is left open a add will jump in for a few seconds.
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  7. Posts : 42
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #7

    UsernameIssues said:
    Changing the sound scheme to Windows Default might not help you to find the problem. It is possible to to have a non-default sound play under the sound scheme named Windows Default. Take the time to Test each sound.
    Thanks for the suggestion, I will give your idea a try but I am not sure that I can remember the sound I heard well enough to identify it if I hear it again as it is so short.

    Viv
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 6,458
    x64 (6.3.9600) Win8.1 Pro & soon dual boot x64 (6.1.7601) Win7_SP1 HomePrem
       #8

    To isolate the source of the sound, set your sound scheme to No Sounds.

    If you still hear the sound, then it isn't Windows, it might be as Layback suggests an open browser window.

    If you crank up the volume, you won't be able to miss the sound... it might make you jump though.

    If you don't here the sound, then it's just a matter of ticking each sound in the sound scheme until you hear it again. The next step is what the sound is telling you - is it a critical alert or something less?

    Some applications and devices also send sound alerts (Anti-virus, Skype, printers,...) I've seen them work outside of Windows sound schemes. Can you narrow down the timeframe this started to a time when you installed a new device or application?

    That's about all I can offer - good luck.

    Bill
    .
    Last edited by Slartybart; 04 Mar 2014 at 13:25. Reason: speeling
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #9

    If you opt for the No Sounds test, please scroll thru and make sure that no app (or prankster) has modified that scheme:

    Where does the phantom music come from-sound.png
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 42
    Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 64-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1
    Thread Starter
       #10

    Layback Bear said:
    Would you by chance have a web page open when this happens?
    Sometimes when a web page is left open a add will jump in for a few seconds.
    Thanks, that seems a possibility so I will close practically all web pages and see if it happens again, then gradually increase the number of webpages I have open. It is usually the same pages open at any one time so this may solve the problem.

    Viv
      My Computer


 
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