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    Background buzz from sound card?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by moon angel, Nov 7, 2006.

  1. moon angel

    moon angel Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    My external amplifier is plugged into my laptop via a 3.5mm jack to twin phono splitter cable (analogue).

    I have noticed a background buzz from the laptop sound card which I do not get from the media centre also plugged into the amp (same type of connection but from a desktop sound card).

    Is this common from laptop cards? Is it proximity to other devices within the machine giving off background electrical signals or something? I've noticed the hum briefly stops when somethings loading, could it be the hard drive?

    It's a Conexant card from what I can tell.

    Cheers!
     
    moon angel, Nov 7, 2006
    #1
  2. dragonesse

    dragonesse Notebook Deity

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    its a grounding issue. be careful, if you let it go on for too long, you'll destroy your laptop's soundcard. happened to me. there's no easy fix for grounding issues.
     
    dragonesse, Nov 7, 2006
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  3. madroxinide

    madroxinide Notebook Deity

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    i wonder if your problem is connected to mine? I just plugged in my Phillips SHN5500 Noice Cancelling headphones into the headphone jack. For some reason I don't hear any background noise without the Noice Cancelling option on. But as soon as I turn on the NC I hear a buzzing sound in the background. The buzzing goes away as soon as I unplug them... You guys have any suggestions? Or is it a grounding issue like dragonesse said?
     
    madroxinide, Nov 7, 2006
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  4. moon angel

    moon angel Notebook Virtuoso NBR Reviewer

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    That sounds similar, I don't hear anything with the laptops pseakers but with more sensitive equipment (my amp) i do, maybe it's just something my amp is picking up?
     
    moon angel, Nov 7, 2006
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  5. chrisyano

    chrisyano Hall Monitor NBR Reviewer

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    It may not be your sound card, but your processor or some other electronic noise inside your notebook, which is common.
     
    chrisyano, Nov 8, 2006
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