Radio Frequency

[Kills On Site]

My roommate and one of my suitemates are picking up a faint, staticy signal that comes in on both thier speakers on their computers. Anyone know what could cause that and what the fix may be?

[Foo]

Any number of things.

Try the obvious first: re-route all the audio wires (ALL the audio wires) so that they don't run in parallel with any other kind of wire. Power or data. Crossing at 90-degrees is almost always fine, but running in parallel is bad. Even if the data or power isn't interfering, those lines in turn can be picking up chatter that can pass to the audio lines.

Troubleshooting line noise is a pain in the ass.

[^misantropia^]

A not uncommon cause: the video card and the sound card being placed adjacent to each other. You'll want to put a few slots between them if that is the case.

[Kills On Site]

Well these speakers aren't connected to his computer, just used for a stereo and for his 360. Would wrapping the wires (which are thin, but can't be replaced) in aluminum foil help, as basically that is what cable sheilding is, if I'm not mistaken.

[AmIdYfReAk]

you could try that,

also, you may want to check out a ground loop isolator, you can pick them up cheap from Radiosnack or anyware, and they usually clean up Noises like that.

[+JuggerNaut+]

Well these speakers aren't connected to his computer, just used for a stereo and for his 360.

My roommate and one of my suitemates are picking up a faint, staticy signal that comes in on both thier speakers on their computers.

wtf