Cannot seem to figure out this static problem:

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.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell E6400
OS
7/64 bit
CPU
Intel Core i-5-3470
Motherboard
Dell-042P49
Memory
4gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics-1920x1080
Sound Card
Intel Display Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell P2211H
Screen Resolution
19620*1080
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD
WDC 1TB
Browser
Chrome
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.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Own Build
OS
Windows 10 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7 6700K
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
Memory
16GB Corsair Dominator
Graphics Card(s)
Intel CPU Graphics
Sound Card
RealTek
Monitor(s) Displays
27" Dell S2719dgf
Screen Resolution
2560X1440
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Pro
500GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Insider
2 TB drive for backup
PSU
EVGA Supernova 750G2
Case
BeQuiet Silent Base 600
Cooling
Deepcool Captain 120EX
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless 2000
Mouse
Microsoft wireless
Internet Speed
100 MB/sec (Cable)
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
Browser
Edge/Firefox
Other Info
Cakewalk (Sonar) by BandLab and Studio One 4.1 Pro recording studio software. MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface, Frontier Tranzport wireless control unit, Behringer X-Touch Control Surface.
Five USB connected optical drives for CD Audio production using Nero BurningROM
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.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell E6400
OS
7/64 bit
CPU
Intel Core i-5-3470
Motherboard
Dell-042P49
Memory
4gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics-1920x1080
Sound Card
Intel Display Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell P2211H
Screen Resolution
19620*1080
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD
WDC 1TB
Browser
Chrome
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
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Own Build
OS
Windows 10 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7 6700K
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
Memory
16GB Corsair Dominator
Graphics Card(s)
Intel CPU Graphics
Sound Card
RealTek
Monitor(s) Displays
27" Dell S2719dgf
Screen Resolution
2560X1440
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Pro
500GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Insider
2 TB drive for backup
PSU
EVGA Supernova 750G2
Case
BeQuiet Silent Base 600
Cooling
Deepcool Captain 120EX
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless 2000
Mouse
Microsoft wireless
Internet Speed
100 MB/sec (Cable)
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
Browser
Edge/Firefox
Other Info
Cakewalk (Sonar) by BandLab and Studio One 4.1 Pro recording studio software. MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface, Frontier Tranzport wireless control unit, Behringer X-Touch Control Surface.
Five USB connected optical drives for CD Audio production using Nero BurningROM
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.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell E6400
OS
7/64 bit
CPU
Intel Core i-5-3470
Motherboard
Dell-042P49
Memory
4gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics-1920x1080
Sound Card
Intel Display Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell P2211H
Screen Resolution
19620*1080
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD
WDC 1TB
Browser
Chrome
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?
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Own Build
OS
Windows 10 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7 6700K
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
Memory
16GB Corsair Dominator
Graphics Card(s)
Intel CPU Graphics
Sound Card
RealTek
Monitor(s) Displays
27" Dell S2719dgf
Screen Resolution
2560X1440
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Pro
500GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Insider
2 TB drive for backup
PSU
EVGA Supernova 750G2
Case
BeQuiet Silent Base 600
Cooling
Deepcool Captain 120EX
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless 2000
Mouse
Microsoft wireless
Internet Speed
100 MB/sec (Cable)
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
Browser
Edge/Firefox
Other Info
Cakewalk (Sonar) by BandLab and Studio One 4.1 Pro recording studio software. MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface, Frontier Tranzport wireless control unit, Behringer X-Touch Control Surface.
Five USB connected optical drives for CD Audio production using Nero BurningROM
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.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell E6400
OS
7/64 bit
CPU
Intel Core i-5-3470
Motherboard
Dell-042P49
Memory
4gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics-1920x1080
Sound Card
Intel Display Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell P2211H
Screen Resolution
19620*1080
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD
WDC 1TB
Browser
Chrome
Are you using a headphone jack/USB at the front of the case or on the back panel?
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Medion
OS
Windows 10 x64
CPU
Intel i5 4210M
Motherboard
N/A
Memory
6GB DDRIII
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD4600/Nvidia GeForce 825M
Monitor(s) Displays
15.6"
Screen Resolution
1366x768
Hard Drives
Samsung EVO 850 500GB
PSU
N/A
Case
N/A
Cooling
N/A
Keyboard
N/A
Mouse
N/A
Internet Speed
13Mbps (actual)
Antivirus
N/A
Browser
Firefox ;)
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.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell E6400
OS
7/64 bit
CPU
Intel Core i-5-3470
Motherboard
Dell-042P49
Memory
4gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics-1920x1080
Sound Card
Intel Display Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell P2211H
Screen Resolution
19620*1080
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD
WDC 1TB
Browser
Chrome
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
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Medion
OS
Windows 10 x64
CPU
Intel i5 4210M
Motherboard
N/A
Memory
6GB DDRIII
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD4600/Nvidia GeForce 825M
Monitor(s) Displays
15.6"
Screen Resolution
1366x768
Hard Drives
Samsung EVO 850 500GB
PSU
N/A
Case
N/A
Cooling
N/A
Keyboard
N/A
Mouse
N/A
Internet Speed
13Mbps (actual)
Antivirus
N/A
Browser
Firefox ;)
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

SUCCESS!

I downloaded the newest drivers that Fireberd and that plugged directly into the back of the computer and the static is gone.

Im embarrassed to say that I didn't even know there was a jack back there.

Thank you (and to fireberd) for all the help.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell E6400
OS
7/64 bit
CPU
Intel Core i-5-3470
Motherboard
Dell-042P49
Memory
4gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics-1920x1080
Sound Card
Intel Display Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell P2211H
Screen Resolution
19620*1080
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD
WDC 1TB
Browser
Chrome
Wonderful :) Happy to be of assistance, if you need any more help don't hesitate to ask!
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Medion
OS
Windows 10 x64
CPU
Intel i5 4210M
Motherboard
N/A
Memory
6GB DDRIII
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD4600/Nvidia GeForce 825M
Monitor(s) Displays
15.6"
Screen Resolution
1366x768
Hard Drives
Samsung EVO 850 500GB
PSU
N/A
Case
N/A
Cooling
N/A
Keyboard
N/A
Mouse
N/A
Internet Speed
13Mbps (actual)
Antivirus
N/A
Browser
Firefox ;)
From post #1

Have updated all relevant drivers,

From post #13

Everything from my initial post was correct with the exception of the speakers.

***Thanks to all that came to help.***
-----------------------------------------

@ kwitel

Sorry I wasn't better help.
I'm the tree that got lost in the forest.
I did not understand your problem correctly.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Home made Desktop
OS
Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
CPU
Intel i7-6800K @ 4.3
Motherboard
ASUS X-99 Deluxe II
Memory
Corsair Platinum 16 gig @2400
Graphics Card(s)
EVGA GTX 1070 OC
Monitor(s) Displays
Asus 27" LED LCD/VE278Q
Screen Resolution
1920-1080 or 1280-720 HDMI
Hard Drives
INTEL SSD 730-240 Gb Sata 3.0/
PSU
EVGA Platium 1200W
Case
Phanteks Luxe Tempered Glass 8 fans/ one radiator
Cooling
XSPC/ Water Cooled CPU
Keyboard
Das 4 Professional
Mouse
Logitech M705/MX Anywhere 2-S
Internet Speed
100 mbits
Antivirus
Microsoft Security Essentials/ Malwarebytes Premium 3.0/ SAS
Browser
I.E. 11 default/Firefox/ ISP Time Warner Cable/Spectrum
Other Info
LG BluRay Burner/
Sound system-KLipsch-THX/
Icy Dock ssd Hot Swap bays.
From post #1

Have updated all relevant drivers,
From post #13

Everything from my initial post was correct with the exception of the speakers.
***Thanks to all that came to help.***
-----------------------------------------

@ kwitel

Sorry I wasn't better help.
I'm the tree that got lost in the forest.
I did not understand your problem correctly.

Thanks again for all your help too.

I did update the drivers but did not try the rear heaphone jack.

The front one still does not work...
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
Laptop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Dell E6400
OS
7/64 bit
CPU
Intel Core i-5-3470
Motherboard
Dell-042P49
Memory
4gb
Graphics Card(s)
Intel HD Graphics-1920x1080
Sound Card
Intel Display Audio
Monitor(s) Displays
Dell P2211H
Screen Resolution
19620*1080
Hard Drives
Samsung SSD
WDC 1TB
Browser
Chrome
Great! glad to hear the static problem is gone.

The front panel jack may just be a "reseat" (unplug/plug back in) of the connector on the motherboard for the front panel headphone/mic jack. The Dell manual does not detail where that cable connects to the motherboard. On most "standard" ATX motherboards its on the lower left of the board. However Dell doesn't always use "standard" ATX boards so it could be located somewhere else or in some models there is one large connector from the front panel.
 

My Computer My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
My Own Build
OS
Windows 10 64 bit
CPU
Intel i7 6700K
Motherboard
ASUS ROG Maximus VIII Hero
Memory
16GB Corsair Dominator
Graphics Card(s)
Intel CPU Graphics
Sound Card
RealTek
Monitor(s) Displays
27" Dell S2719dgf
Screen Resolution
2560X1440
Hard Drives
1 TB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Pro
500GB Samsung 850 EVO SSD for Win 10 Insider
2 TB drive for backup
PSU
EVGA Supernova 750G2
Case
BeQuiet Silent Base 600
Cooling
Deepcool Captain 120EX
Keyboard
Microsoft Wireless 2000
Mouse
Microsoft wireless
Internet Speed
100 MB/sec (Cable)
Antivirus
Microsoft Defender and Malwarebytes
Browser
Edge/Firefox
Other Info
Cakewalk (Sonar) by BandLab and Studio One 4.1 Pro recording studio software. MOTU 896Mk3 Hybrid recording interface, Frontier Tranzport wireless control unit, Behringer X-Touch Control Surface.
Five USB connected optical drives for CD Audio production using Nero BurningROM
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