Solved Constant Clicking Through Speakers

[GreyHam462]

Hi there.

Yesterday my Laptop developed an incessant clicking noise coming through the hi-fi speakers I have plugged in to my laptop. When I take out the AUX cable from my laptop, you could be mistaken for it coming from the laptop e.g. hard drive! :shock:
However I am sure it is coming via the speakers, so therefore a computer sound, as when I turn the Hi-Fi off, the clicking stops.

It sounds as if it is the sound used to show you have opened a window, or connected to a website via Internet Explorer. It occurs up to 10 times per second (Estimated), and sometimes slows down / stutters, eventually returning to its original constant click.

I have no idea what may be causing the click. Thinking of things I have installed recently which may affect it, I have recently downloaded the beta for IE9, however I use Google Chrome predominantly.

I have McAffe Security Centre, and I have performed a full scan and quarantined one item, however the clicking continues.

One thing of note, when the computer starts up, and I log in (Being the sole user on this laptop) the clicking noise isn't there. Once I start using it, after maybe a couple of minutes, the clicking returns.

Any ideas? :huh:
Thanks.
Graham.

 

[richc46]

Try with clean boot to test and maybe solve
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Update audio drivers in device manager.

Move to different location

 

[Layback Bear]

What kind of Hi Fi speakers are you using? Are they made for a computer or a stereo system you have?

 

[Fayla]

I've experienced this sort of issue when... A) the sound driver / (Winamp. WMP, etc_) ended up with 'UAC virtualization' enabled on it. B) When i installed the HD sound driver for my LCD monitor (it has built in speakers.) In the case of B, the additional sound driver was interfering with the driver for the sound card. --Did your speakers come with additional drivers?

I'd check all the settings in your sound cards setting manager~

Hi there.

Yesterday my Laptop developed an incessant clicking noise coming through the hi-fi speakers I have plugged in to my laptop. When I take out the AUX cable from my laptop, you could be mistaken for it coming from the laptop e.g. hard drive! :shock:
However I am sure it is coming via the speakers, so therefore a computer sound, as when I turn the Hi-Fi off, the clicking stops.

It sounds as if it is the sound used to show you have opened a window, or connected to a website via Internet Explorer. It occurs up to 10 times per second (Estimated), and sometimes slows down / stutters, eventually returning to its original constant click.

I have no idea what may be causing the click. Thinking of things I have installed recently which may affect it, I have recently downloaded the beta for IE9, however I use Google Chrome predominantly.

I have McAffe Security Centre, and I have performed a full scan and quarantined one item, however the clicking continues.

One thing of note, when the computer starts up, and I log in (Being the sole user on this laptop) the clicking noise isn't there. Once I start using it, after maybe a couple of minutes, the clicking returns.

Any ideas? :huh:
Thanks.
Graham.

 

[GreyHam462]

Try with clean boot to test and maybe solve
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Update audio drivers in device manager.

Move to different location

Performed clean boot and restarted all services in msconfig which resulted in no clicking noise. When I restored the Startup Selection to "Normal", after the restart, the clicking returned.

I have to admit I kind of know my way around a computer, but I am not all that tech savvy. So I do not know how to Update audio drivers, or understand what "Move to different location" means.

 

[richc46]

Follow the clean boot procedure to find what startup item is causing the problem

If you follow clean boot and slowly restore the startup items, we can determine the cause.
I will go step by step with you at that point.

Move to another location meant take the lappy from the kitchen and go to the back yard. To see if it was interference. LOL

 

[GreyHam462]

@Layback Bear
My Hi-Fi is just a standard Hi-Fi you can buy from a store, with an Audio in, where I use an AUX cable to connect from my headphone jack in the laptop. Clicking still occurs through the laptop speakers, and with normal headphones.

@Rei Tumult
As my Hi-Fi is just a standard Hi-Fi, it did not come with sound drivers. It just plugged in and played.

Don't think the Hi-Fi speakers have anything to do with it.

 

[GreyHam462]

Thanks @richc46.
Will go through it again to see what happens with each item. Will get back to you on here when done.

 

[richc46]

If the problem was solved when you disabled the items. Clean boot can solve it for you.

 

[GreyHam462]

The problem was solved when I disabled all of the Start Up programmes, Services were fine. I am currently changing the startup programme's activity, restarting the laptop, waiting 5 mins, and if clicking doesnt return, then enabling more startup programmes and restarting again. Am about half way. Should be 10-15 mins longer.

 

[richc46]

Take your time, do it right so we both can

 

[GreyHam462]

Apologies for taking so long.
I would recommend to anyone doing this to set the start up programs to alphabetical or some sort of order first, before trying to do this, as i just lost where i was and had to start over again.
Anyway, almost there @richc46.

 

[richc46]

Dont worry about the time. You will get the answer. Thanks for the information that you shared with others. That is how we work here.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Cell phones near your computer are also a source of interference. I find that moving mine around I've found a location that minimizes this.

 

[GreyHam462]

Eureka!
All Startup programmes are off, apart from this virginmediahub.exe, and the clicking sound is happening.

What now? Unistall the software? Or disable the start up?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Could you have a slight amount of corrosion or dirt in the jack ends. Have you tried mating and unmating the jacks and using air or cleaning with Caigs gold.caig.com - Home of DeoxIT - CAIG Laboratories, Inc.

 

[richc46]

If you do not want the software unistall using a System Restore point first, just in case
If you think you may want it just leave it off the startup list. Im glad for you, buddy.

 

[GreyHam462]

It is something to do with my ISP, so I will keep it, but have de-activated it on startup.
I have restarted my laptop with it de-activated, and there is now no clicking!
Thanks Rich!

 

[richc46]

Our reward is that big smile and TY. I got my days worth with this one.

We hope that you come back and visit often. You can learn, have fun and teach.

Once again, glad that I could solve your problem

 

[Aphelion]

It is something to do with my ISP, so I will keep it, but have de-activated it on startup.
I have restarted my laptop with it de-activated, and there is now no clicking!
Thanks Rich!

Just curious, is that a wired or wireless connection?

Also, often when using a laptop with external speakers/stereo the noise problems stem from a ground differential that tends to amplify any of the computers internal electronic workings.

Does the same click occur when running on battery power?

Ap