Problem with my computer's speakers.

Static or Electronic Interference- Affecting PC speakers, LCD TV, unknown source

• For several months now (cannot recall the actual time when it first began), we have been receiving some sort of electronic interference that is affecting a two electronic components in our household. The issue has driven me to wit?s end, and I now look to the community to help me rid this maddening issue. Payment for question answered will be given for someone who either provides me with exact cause, the necessary troubleshooting steps to locate the source of the problem or that can provide me with recommendations for equipment required to identify the source of the problem (rented if inexpensive, or reasonably-priced service/company which can locate issue). Issue: Intermittently and at no specific time of day or interval, one set of computer speakers will begin to emit a loud static noise. Concurrently in a separate part of the house, if the LCD TV is on, it will display ?screen interference? (i.e., static-like lines on the screen) and faint static noise at the exact same sequence as the computer speakers are buzzing (i.e., if it speakers ?buzz static? on for 5 seconds, then off for 1, then back on for 6, both computer speakers & LCD TV will emit same sounds at exact same time & sequence). The actual length of time that the interference can occur for is random ? sometimes for 1-2 seconds, sometimes for 20-30 seconds. The can go on for up to 1-2 minutes at a time, usually then stops for as long as 15-20 minutes, sometimes for hours or days. The computer is located on the 2nd floor of the house ? at the opposite end of where the LCD TV is located (which is located on the main floor of the house). We are in a semi-detached house in downtown Toronto (and have lived here with the same computer setup for many years ? this problem is recent). My neighbor is an elderly man (70?s) who does not have technology such as computers, so I don?t think he would have anything that could be the source. The TV and computer are on separate circuits. I have 2 other computers which do not display this issue ? the computer?s speakers which are affected are connected to an LCD screen which does not display the interference. The LCD TV brand is a Viewsonic 27 inch and was purchased within the last year. The speakers are Altec Lansing ACS54?s and were purchased more than 5 years ago. I have attempted to troubleshoot the issue the following ways: 1. Turn off LCD, computer with speakers on ? to try to identify whether TV was source of problem. Problem persisted (on computer speakers). 2. Turn off computer (that has speakers with problem) ? to identify whether computer was source of problem. Problem persisted (on LCD TV). 3. Turned off my wireless network to see whether it was cause of interference. Problem persisted. (Note: there are other wireless networks within range of my house all SSL ? there is a chance that one could be causing this?) 4. Disabled (turned off) access points on my wireless network to see whether one was causing the issue ? access points include an Xbox wireless receiver, laptop, desktop PC. Problem persisted. 5. Disabled/unplugged/removed batteries on cordless phone (2.4 GHz) & base station to see whether it was source of problem. Problem persisted. 6. Turned off cellular phones (have both CDMA & GSM). Problem persisted. Note: I know of the issue with GSM phones and speaker ?chatter? interference & recognize that sound well ? this sound is entirely different. Additionally, the GSM phone is usually kept off ? so this problem is not linked in any way as far as I can tell. 7. Turned off various lights, microwaves, electronics to identify what could be causing the problem. Problem persisted. I have even heard the noise in the middle of the night, when almost all electronics (other than the computer) are off. 8. Replaced power bars, cleaned up wiring at computer & TV to see whether one might be causing the interference ? although this felt like a stretch as they are on separate circuits. Of course, problem persisted. The person who can help me identify the problem not only gets the payment, but my sincerest gratitude for helping me return my sanity. Thanks.

• Answer:

  2ike... I'm going to go ahead and post a formal answer, since you won't be able to post another question as you intended, as GA is closing to new questions after tomorrow. I think we've taken you where you wanted to go, and I think my latest Clarifications may resolve your problem without the need to hire an electrician. I'll repost here for the sake of future readers. ---------------------------------------------------------------- I don't see mention of monitoring any AM or FM radio broadcasts during times of interference, which might be interesting. My first thought is that there may be a rogue CB (citizens band) radio broadcaster in the neighborhood who is broadcasting at a power level that is higher than is allowed. I don't know what the equivalent to the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) is in Toronto, but presumably there is an agency that provides oversight of transmissions in the city. You might very well be able to interest them in surveying the frequencies in your area at no cost to you. At the least, I would start by interviewing some of your neighbors to see if others in the area are experiencing anything similar. The more people that are being affected, the more likely that an oversight agency will be willing to become involved. --- What's really needed is an RF field strength analyzer, like this one: http://www.lessemf.com/rf.html#115 Others are on this page: http://www.lessemf.com/guide.html#rf But, as you can see, they're expensive. That's why I was suggesting that, with some confirmation by your neighbors, the pros could come do it with equipment they already own. --- I'd wonder if the fridge is properly grounded. If it doesn't have a 3-pronged plug, you would need to ground it manually. Perhaps it has a 3-pronged plug, but the ground plug is broken off. If it has a 3-pronged plug with the ground plug intact, it might be that it's not functioning effectively due to an internal disconnect. Another possibility is that the two non-ground wires are reversed on that outlet so that the electricity from that receptacle is out of phase with the rest of the house wiring. This is not uncommon in some older houses, and an electrician can check the receptacle (and others, if you like) and fix it if that's the problem. Once the fridge is properly grounded, or the phase is corrected, the power bar should no longer be necessary. Unless... Perhaps the fridge motor is bad to the point of drawing so much current as to be causing an abnormal fluctuation in house voltage when it first kicks on - but this seems less likely to be a cause of noise. --- P.S. You could check the theory in the second paragraph above by running a 3-pronged extension cord to a different outlet, and plugging the fridge into that, without the power bar. If the noise goes away, it likely means the usual fridge outlet is out of phase. If we haven't resolved your problem, feel free to post another Request for Clarification... sublime1-ga