Hey guys!

I've got a problem with my home PC (a Dell Dimension 4600, I believe). For the past two weeks or so, I have severe static (loud crackling sounds) coming out of my PC speakers. This exists as long as the speakers are turned on, even when not listening to music or a site that has sound. I even switched to another set of speakers and they crackle and pop too. What could be wrong? Is there something wrong with the sound card? Any advice would be appreciated.

-Fisher

Bang them on the desk. Thats what I do.

I am obviously a technical genius available for hire at any time.

LOL

Do you have a cell phone on, or near you. If you have your cell phone near the computer, Especially Nextel, the frequency will interfere with your speakers.

Speed, I've definitely considered that.  

Sloemoe, my wife leave's her cell phone in there some, but it's not that little beeping kind of static like that.  This is loud crackling and popping.  Thanks for the replies so far.  

Turn you speakers off, restart, turn them on when you hear the noise again just say :

Have you had a lightning storm lately?  I blew out a set of speakers because of lightning (I unplugged my computer, monitor, printer, scanner, fax, etc., except my speakers).  After the strike, the speakers sounded a lot like yours do.  I had to get new ones.

Have you had a lightning storm lately? I blew out a set of speakers because of lightning (I unplugged my computer, monitor, printer, scanner, fax, etc., except my speakers). After the strike, the speakers sounded a lot like yours do. I had to get new ones.

Finally, a serious post.  I switched them out with a new set and it still crackles.  I'm think something to do with the computer.

Sounds like a cold solder joint in the audo circuit to me. probably not much you can do about it from a end user stand point. If you take it in somewhere they will probably advise you to replace the main board. I am assuming this computer has built in audio on the mainboard. Another option would be to have separate audio card put in it. The onboard audio can be disabled and then you can plug your speakers into the new one. You might try cleaning the connector end that plugs into the back of your computer for the speakers. If you wiggle it around while its plugged in and the static gets worse or better it might be an indication the plug contacts are dirty, in that case you might want to spray some contact cleaner inside the audio jack on the computer. Be sure to shut down and unplug everything first. If this unit does have a separate sound card installed already you might be able to reseat the card to fix your problem. hope this helps.

You may have to get a new sound card.  Sometimes the plug on the sound card gets loose and causes the crackling you hear.  Sound Cards are not that expensive and very easy to replace.  I would get a new one and replace the old one.  If the problem still exisits, then return the new sound card you purchased and call Dell or the Geek Squad, because there are more serious issues wrong with your machine.

Is it more like a real annoying loud white noise?

If so I have had that problem in the past.  The problem was actually in the microphone settings.  In my case the volume of the microphone was up way too high.  You might want to give that a check.

I am also aware that sometimes magnets can disrupt your speakers.

What kind of speakers are they? How do they connect to the PC?

Dell 5.1 surround sound speakers. I think they plug into the sound card.

OK guys, when I got home tonight I turned off the computer, unplugged everything and checked to see about unplugging the sound card. I noticed that the casing to my tower is riveted (thanks Dell). Anyhow, not wanting to cause any further damage (right now) and drill out the rivets, I cleaned the sound plug ports with acetone and a q-tip (with the some of the cotton pulled off). I plugged everything back in and re-booted. After turning the power to the speakers back on, I noticed, "Hey, no crackling!!"

Then I went into Windows media player to test the sound. I clicked on Van Halen and cranked it up.

Well, you guessed it. The crackling's back. I'm sure there's a lesson in this somewhere.

I'm going to check into the soundcard.

Is it more like a real annoying loud white noise?

If so I have had that problem in the past. The problem was actually in the microphone settings. In my case the volume of the microphone was up way too high. You might want to give that a check.

Did you check this??

It's sounds exactly like the problem I had.

ok, 5.1 suggests that you are running the speakers into a sub and a line sending the sound from the PC's audio out jack to the sub's audio in jack? Is that correct?

When you hooked up the other speakers did you use the same audio cable that connects the PC jack to the sub jack? If so, it's possible that the problem is with the cable. If you used the same cable on both sets of speakers, try getting a new cable to connect the audio out on your PC to the audio in on the SUB. This has happened to me before and it would be cheaper and easier than buying a new sound card.

If you tried it with a different cable and the crackling persists, it is most likely the jack on the audio card or the card itself. In that case, you should probably just grab a new audio card. As others have said, they aren't very expensive or difficult to install.

Cell phone dude, seriously my oldest son is a puter Geek so when mine was doing the exact same thing he walked up the puter grabbed my phone and chunked it to me.

Amazingly the noise stopped  

ok, 5.1 suggests that you are running the speakers into a sub and a line sending the sound from the PC's audio out jack to the sub's audio in jack? Is that correct?

When you hooked up the other speakers did you use the same audio cable that connects the PC jack to the sub jack? If so, it's possible that the problem is with the cable. If you used the same cable on both sets of speakers, try getting a new cable to connect the audio out on your PC to the audio in on the SUB. This has happened to me before and it would be cheaper and easier than buying a new sound card.

If you tried it with a different cable and the crackling persists, it is most likely the jack on the audio card or the card itself. In that case, you should probably just grab a new audio card. As others have said, they aren't very expensive or difficult to install.

I think Dan is on course here.  Reading the first posts, we can see it's not the cell phone.  I would switch out the cable between the sub and the satellites.  Next, I would look at the jacks, particularly, the "out" on the sub.  (alcohol on a q-tip can often remedy a dirty jack).  Does the sub crackle too?

Is the sound system Amped? Does it power up the speakers from am amp outside the computer? If so clean all the connections around the amp, use an alcohol based product if not alcohol itself, so it completley evaporates. A sound guy I know says dust and grime are the number one bandits for crackling , causes some type of static discharge!

Is it more like a real annoying loud white noise?

If so I have had that problem in the past. The problem was actually in the microphone settings. In my case the volume of the microphone was up way too high. You might want to give that a check.

Did you check this??

It's sounds exactly like the problem I had.

Yes, KU, I turned the volume setting down completely on the mic, and it still continued.

To answer another couple of questions. The satellite speakers and subwoofer are all prefabbed with color coded plugs from Dell. As I said earlier, I swabbed the ports out with acetone and a q-tip, and still have static. I even hooked up a set of standard speakers and have the static in both speakers. Muddy, I don't know if I have static in the sub, but I have static in the other four.

I'm still thinking that a new card is the answer. You guys have been overly gracious with your input. Let me take some time and try and get a new card installed. I'll let you know how it works out.

God bless,

Fisher

did you use the same cord to try the second set of speakers to the computer, though?

All are good guesses but more than likely it's the drives for the hardware and not the hardware it self

Reinstall the drivers for your onboard sound card and that will more than likely fix your noise problem.

but why would the drivers suddenly be causing a problem?

Nope, definitely hardware. Try plugging a different set if speakers in (you may have to talk to the neighbors for this one).

See what happens.

If they work, it is your speakers, if not it is the card.

Like someone else said, if it is the card, install a new one and make it your default. You should have enough ports to leave the preinstalled/ on board card there and then bypass it.

If you don't know how to do this let me know, I will be glad to help. Just PM me. If you have to repalce the card... don't go crazy, unless you listen to music or need sub woofers ect, a wal mart card is good.

I am suspecting speakers, but it could be the card.

Dan,

It is a different cord.  Like I said before guys.  I think it's the card and I'll try and get to it soon.  

CGH,I may try re-installing the drivers first.  

Again, you guys have been very accomodating with your suggestions.  I'll re-post later if I'm successful.

Thanks,

Fisher

If not, post pics of the smashed speakers  ;D  Good Luck.