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    Static buzz during audio

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by tomex, Mar 18, 2012.

  1. tomex

    tomex Notebook Enthusiast

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    I ordered the W520, after about a week I noticed that during watching video or just streaming audio, I would get a random static/buzz during the audio listening.

    I checked my external speaker & headphones, I checked all the USB ports that I was using, I removed the battery, replaced the hard drive, removed ram, NO luck.

    The random static buzz still kept happening. I finally got Lenovo to take the machine back, and I ordered a new W520.

    Well, the static audio buzz is still happening. Is it just me, or could this be a streaming issue, perhaps bad speakers, but is it possible that two W520's could have the same problems?

    It's not that annoying, but I paid over $1400 for the machine, so I do have expectations in getting a fully working machine.
     
    tomex, Mar 18, 2012
    #1
  2. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    Could this be a ground loop? I which case the fix is to not use the ground connection for either computer or external speaker PSU. However, sometimes just not using adjacent power sockets is sufficient to reduce the ground current.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Mar 18, 2012
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  3. tomex

    tomex Notebook Enthusiast

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    You mean a surge protector? That's what I got my laptop & external speakers plugged into.
     
    tomex, Mar 18, 2012
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  4. tomex

    tomex Notebook Enthusiast

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    Plugged it directly to the wall outlet and used the built-in laptop speakers while watching TWiT now, still happening.

    I disable hardware acceleration in Chrome, still happening.
     
    tomex, Mar 18, 2012
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  5. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    No, not a surge protector. You need to put a 2 pin adaptor on one of the power supplies so it has is no ground connection. (If either the computer or speakers already has an ungrounded (2 pin) plug then my theory is wrong).

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Mar 18, 2012
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  6. tomex

    tomex Notebook Enthusiast

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    Sadly, this buzz happens as well when running just on the laptop battery.
     
    tomex, Mar 19, 2012
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  7. megaprawn

    megaprawn Notebook Guru

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    I have this on my IdeaPad ONLY when using crappy headphones. I use my Sennheisers and it's nonexistant. It happens on a lot of laptops from electromagnetic interference.
     
    megaprawn, Mar 19, 2012
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  8. soreloser

    soreloser Notebook Enthusiast

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    do you hear it when you are not playing anything, or not doing anything that should make any sound?
     
    soreloser, Mar 19, 2012
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  9. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    OK. That kills the ground loop theory. So we will move to interference as suggested by others. I'm currently having a problem with a 3G dongle which creates very noticeable audio interference on my external speakers. However, I haven't yet ascertained whether the problem lies with the lightweight (and probably poorly shielded) audio cable that I carry around or whether the speakers themselves are picking up electromagnetic radiation.

    John
     
    John Ratsey, Mar 19, 2012
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  10. tomex

    tomex Notebook Enthusiast

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    I'm at the office now, I'll let you know if I notice it here too.
     
    tomex, Mar 19, 2012
    #10