Cannot seem to figure out this static problem:

fireberd said:

I was asked to help on this problem, but I'm unsure what the exact problem is.

As I see it you have Grado Headset and a Dell OptiPlex laptop. What is the Audio Advantage Micro? From your original post it appears you are using the laptop. Does the laptop speakers have the "static"? Is the "static" when its using AC power only or does it also do it when the laptop is on battery?

More specific on exactly how you are setup is needed. I went through all the posts and just got confused.

Thank you for assisting but im not sure why there is confusion here.

As listed in previous posts, the Audio Advantage is a USB Sound Card.
I have my Grado Headphones plugged into this device, which in turn is plugged into my Dell desktop computer (via USB).

I have a pair of cheap logitech USB speakers as well, but they are not emitting any static.
I have tried attaching the sound card device to my laptop to check and see if I could replicate the problem that I am having on my desktop, on my laptop.

It works perfectly on my laptop.

As per your advice I have disabled the audio in the Bios but no change.

fireberd said:

OK, so the OptiPlex is a desktop. What is the exact model of the OptiPlex? Does the internal sound card in the OptiPlex work (compatible with Vista/Win 7)?

Have you tried a different USB port? e.g. a port on the front of the PC. Also, try a different USB cable. Maybe one with an RF Choke in the cable.

Its a 3010 and I (hope) the sound card is compatible with Windows &...it came with the desktop which already had Windows 7 installed.

As for the USB cable, i have yet to try another as its a weird female to female type USB cable, and I dont have another one laying around.
I am going to run to Best Buy tomorrow to see if I can find a replacement for it.

Will revert with findings.

Thanks.

Edit-any idea on how I might be able to get my headphone jack working (thats in front of the tower). For some reason nothing shows up on Audio Devices when I plug my headphones into it.

fireberd said:

This model is Win 7 (and 8/8.1/10) compatible according to the Dell support site.

It has Conexant Audio on board. Why are you using a separate sound card?

Here is the drivers
Product Support | Dell US

Firstly, because im an audiophile and wanted to use my high end headphones with a DAC/Amp.

Second, the headphone stopped working and was honestly too lazy to try and figure out what was wrong with it. SO I bought a USB sound card that circumvents the jack.

fireberd said:

Well, I have a recording studio, with obviously high end equipment. But, with my computer I use the built in with a 2.1 speaker system.

Was there the "static" with the PC before the headphone jack stopped working?

No, not that I recall.
The computer is about two years old and this problem has only existed for the past month or so.

The Jack probably went out about a year ago.

Are you using a headphone jack/USB at the front of the case or on the back panel?

joedaman633 said:

Are you using a headphone jack/USB at the front of the case or on the back panel?

My headphones plug directly into my USB sound card, which is plugged into the USB port on the back of my computer.

As mentioned above, the heapdhone jack on the front of my computer is not working correctly.

What I'm getting at is, can you either:
A) Try the USB sound card in a USB port on the front panel
B) Try the earphones directly plugged into the headphone jack on the back panel