Speaker buzzing

[Computer0304]

For some reason, the speakers of my computer buzzes, and the buzzing noise is sometimes different depending on what I'm doing. It makes the most noise when read/write on the HDD. The noises are not that loud, it just is starting to annoy me. It most likely isn't a sound card/motherboard problem because when I use my headphones, it doesn't buzz. This happened on my old computer when I used these speakers. These are USB powered speakers that is the old Wal-Mart brand I bought in about 2008.
(The noises was always there and I am just now annoyed by it)

 

[oscer1]

Hi do you have another set of speakers that you could test with or from a friend or relative?

 

[Computer0304]

I have tried my headphones and it doesn't have a buzz. It doesn't matter if I use the front or back port. One interesting thing, for some reason, if I touch the metal part of the audio plug, I used to be able to hear a radio broadcast. But that doesn't happen here in Korea.

 

[oscer1]

sorry i should have read your post more carefully. if these speakers did the same on your old computer and on the newer computer most likely the speakers are your problem.

 

[Computer0304]

Is it safe to use though? I read before that it may be the ground of the audio connection getting interfered by another cable. It didn't say that it is necessarily harmful. I'm just not sure about if my problem is that.

 

[GokAy]

Maybe you can just use a converter like iPhone USB power adapter (USB to mains power) and see if it corrects.

 

[Computer0304]

Well, it seems that the power source doesn't matter. Maybe the audio cable is badly insulated/shielded? If it is safe to run it like this, I am ok about keeping it like this.

 

[oscer1]

I don't believe it will hurt the computer but can pick up speakers fairly cheap

 

[Computer0304]

Well, I guess I'll get new speakers when I have the chance to.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Just my two cents worth mate it could be just the voice coils within the speaker have taken a hiding (electronically) - the speakers dropped (physical misalignment of the coils) or just old age


PS Should have mentioned though not with piezoelectric types

 

[Computer0304]

Well, the sound has happened for a while, I'm not sure if it made that noise from the beginning or not.

 

[rayford52]

I just joined so I hope I am not putting this in the wrong thread...my problem is, when I plug in the mic on this computer I get a buzzing from them,, and the higher I push the mic, control and mike boost the louder it gets. I have tried different speakers an a different mic. still does it.. I even ran an extension cord from another electrical outlet and it still does it.. I am su

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I just joined so I hope I am not putting this in the wrong thread...my problem is, when I plug in the mic on this computer I get a buzzing from them,, and the higher I push the mic, control and mike boost the louder it gets. I have tried different speakers an a different mic. still does it.. I even ran an extension cord from another electrical outlet and it still does it.. I am su

Hello and welcome Rayford mate best start new threads when you have problems as it can at times cause confusion on who is answering what and who

Anyway it does appear to me that if different speakers and/or microphone are being used and the noise is still there then there is possibly a problem with the socket contacts and/or the soldered joints for the socket to the motherboard or if the connections are in the front of the machine maybe the audio plug / socket header on the board itself.

 

[rayford52]

thanks, it has to be something like that since I have tried everything else I can think of,, thanks again, I will try to locate that problem.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

That's o mate you just need one of those very bright LED torches to see inside the sockets and perhaps a magnifying glass - it could even be just down to wear and tear. I meant to mention to when looking at the header/s on the motherboard just check to see if the thing rocks slightly - may indicate a dry joint (solders come undone) and look for and caps that look suspect and any signs of scorching on the PCB

 

[rayford52]

Thanks for helping me know what to check for, I know it used to not do this.. I figured out how to change my wifes computer to English from Chinese, , she is in China now and I needed a cheap way to talk with her, they can't use Yahoo over there anymore but QQ international works good for voice and video.. I am still going to get my computer fixed so I can use it because I am more familiar with it. thanks again.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hmm sorry we couldn't get it fixed right away. It probably is something really quite simple but while I am thinking about it the buzzing is it around mains power supply frequency - usually around 50Hz? because a fault in the grounding system could possibly be another cause of the problem.
Just check that the motherboard is firmly grounded and the easiest way of doing that is to measure the resistance between the case, motherboard fixing screws, black leads on the 24 pin power plug and the third earth pin on the mains power lead. All you need is to unplug the power supply to get to the plugs' earth pin and use a (preferably) digital multimeter and set it to resistance and when you touch the mains earth pin and any of those connections I spoke of there should be a zero resistance. If there is resistance then something is quite wrong and could be the cause of the humming sound because a good ground connection usually stops any extraneous background mains hum from happening.

 

[rayford52]

would it work to hook a wire from a case screw to a ground lug on the mother board? I have heard before that sometime a ground (loop) ,not sure what that is.. could make it do that,, it only does it when I hook up the mic, or if I turn the mic. volume up and especially the boost

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Not really mate in fact that may even make another one if indeed a ground loop is what it is. A ground loop is best described here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_loop_(electricity) < if you look at Sources of ground current there are some simplistic pics and explanations of ground loops.

I used to tinker a lot with audio stuff in the past and especially with vacuum tubes and ground loops were always a problem especially with equipment that was plugged into an amplifier say phones speakers mikes etc etc I spent many an hour wiring grounds to those things so that there was only ever one ground point - typically at the incoming mains ground source. So in a nutshell you would be chasing ghosts.

 

[rayford52]

Ha Ha. I guess I was looking for an easy way out.. when I get more time, I will take the covers off and see if I can find the culprit. thanks so much for your help and advice. be safe, Vernon