Weird sounds every few seconds (Acer Aspire 5672wlmi)

**Fox** · 10-16-2006, 11:05 PM

Hi everyone,

This annoyance has been around since I bought this laptop, but it's really getting on my nerves now.

What it is is basically a high pitched series of 7 blips with 3 seconds between them. I believe it's the hard drive interfering with the integrated sound, but I can't be sure- although I hear the same thing through my amp (albeit amplified and distorted) when I put my guitar's pickups near the laptop. I'm attaching a small sample of the sound, amplified to play at a regular level so you can hear what I'm talking about.

Any ideas?

**TheMatt** · 10-17-2006, 09:19 PM

Wow, that is very odd. Does it seem to do this through the speakers? Does it do this through headphones or external speakers?

I remember that the first speakers that I used with my laptop were not shielded, so I would here a noise from them that was the same as my fan. Then I got some new speakers that were shielded, and they work perfect with no interference.

**Fox** · 10-17-2006, 09:56 PM

Well, it's on the mixed output, so it's with everything. Integrated speakers, heaphones, and when I hook my receiver up to it too.

After posting, I checked through my mixer settings, and it turns out my wave level was at about 75%. I turned that up and my receiver down, and it's less noticeable. That's probably what prompted me to get irritated- it hadn't been as apparent before.

I'm okay with it now, but if I start noticing it more, I'll just have to bite the bullet and either buy a PCMCIA or USB sound card.

Thanks for your help.

**laboye** · 10-17-2006, 11:26 PM

That's crazy. That'd drive me nuts. Do you still hear it with headphones plugged into the machine?

**Fox** · 10-18-2006, 12:03 AM

I do, but much more faintly since I boosted the wave out- to the point where I really don't notice it anymore unless I listen for it. It's not so bad now. I wonder whether or not it would go away if I bought a decent aftermarket sound card?

chauffeur2 · 10-18-2006, 01:31 AM

Hey Fox,

Are these the same speakers that you had the problem with a little while ago?

If they are; then, the best solution I can offer is to get some aluminium foil and wrap it around all the connector plugs from the speakers and see if that helps. [a rough 'fix' but highly effective with those "oldies"!

]

**Joefireline** · 10-18-2006, 10:50 AM

Maybe a stupid comment, but I would have thought that would be something to do with the intergrated microphone, not sure though. Have you got the microphone muted?

**Fox** · 10-18-2006, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Are these the same speakers that you had the problem with a little while ago?

Yep, but one can hear it using headphones or even the built-in speakers. The speakers are a good distance away, and as lacking as they might be, I don't think they're affecting the sound

Quote:

I would have thought that would be something to do with the intergrated microphone, not sure though. Have you got the microphone muted?

Just tried it. Great idea, but unfortunately not it. I'm thinking more and more that the problem lies in the internals of the laptop- if I turn the volume up enough, I can hear the hard drive seeking when I click on files, so I'm pretty sure it's that at the root of the problem. But as long as the mixer sliders are all the way up, it doesn't bother me too much. I just didn't realize earlier that it was down, and therefore I got more of the sound and less of my sound.

**Joefireline** · 10-18-2006, 12:22 PM

You could always contact Acer, see what they say...

robertparis · 10-20-2006, 04:52 PM

Try to mute your line-in.

ebackhus · 10-21-2006, 12:00 PM

Agreed. My PC would make some WEIRD noises when the line-in wasn't muted. Nothing was connected but it'd still make the sounds at random points.

**Fox** · 10-21-2006, 02:07 PM

All the recording devices are muted. It's definitely the machine itself.

robertparis · 10-22-2006, 08:47 AM

I hade the line-in problem with Xp, but that was fixed when I muted it.

Now, with Windows Vista, I have a similar problem. I noticed that the problem is worse when opening pages with Adobe Flash, so I did a search on that. It seems that there is a problem with either the Video card or the sound card drivers.

I am getting sick and tired of this problem. Will try and call Acer on Monday, but shouldn't expect too much help from them I guess.

**Fox** · 01-09-2007, 11:15 PM

I finally resolved the problem. I never would have guessed it.

Tonight when I picked up my laptop, I was looking at it from the front for a split second at a certain angle, and I saw the infrared port blink the same pattern as that interference that I got. On that hunch, I went into the Device Manager and disabled the infrared. Lo and behold, the sound no longer occurs.

I think what I was hearing was the IR port actively scanning for devices to connect to.

**Joefireline** · 01-10-2007, 11:15 AM

That really is rather strange, and strange that you noticed it! You aren't actully suppost to see IR signals...
The IR on my laptop has never made this noise, and it is rather strange that it does make this noise.

Glad you resolved it though Fox!

**Fox** · 01-10-2007, 01:18 PM

Thanks!

Maybe I ought to put this new superpower to the test. Infrared vision...that could come in super-handy. I could look straight through my amplifier and see when a valve is about to go.

**Joefireline** · 01-10-2007, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

Thanks!

Maybe I ought to put this new superpower to the test. Infrared vision...that could come in super-handy. I could look straight through my amplifier and see when a valve is about to go.

Haha, yea, you could make millions!

I'll be your manager, split profits 50 50, what'ya say?

**Fox** · 01-10-2007, 03:43 PM

Yeah, sure. I'll just need your bank account's routing number and your PIN code so I can add you to the payroll

**Joefireline** · 01-11-2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox

Yeah, sure. I'll just need your bank account's routing number and your PIN code so I can add you to the payroll

Ok then, it's 0000 0000 0000 0000 and my pin no. is 0000. Got it?

**Fox** · 01-11-2007, 03:41 PM

I'm in your bank account, withdrawing your money :P

10-17-2006, 09:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Wow, that is very odd. Does it seem to do this through the speakers? Does it do this through headphones or external speakers? I remember that the first speakers that I used with my laptop were not shielded, so I would here a noise from them that was the same as my fan. Then I got some new speakers that were shielded, and they work perfect with no interference. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

10-17-2006, 09:56 PM	#3 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Well, it's on the mixed output, so it's with everything. Integrated speakers, heaphones, and when I hook my receiver up to it too. After posting, I checked through my mixer settings, and it turns out my wave level was at about 75%. I turned that up and my receiver down, and it's less noticeable. That's probably what prompted me to get irritated- it hadn't been as apparent before. I'm okay with it now, but if I start noticing it more, I'll just have to bite the bullet and either buy a PCMCIA or USB sound card. Thanks for your help. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

10-17-2006, 11:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
laboye TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 1,246 OS: Windows xp Pro/Vista Beta 2/Ubuntu 6.06 LTS My System	That's crazy. That'd drive me nuts. Do you still hear it with headphones plugged into the machine? __________________ Repair Windows XP Guide --- Resolutions Crazy Computer that I'm saving up for::Antec P180 Case;PC Pwr&Cooling 1kW Quad SLI PSU;Asus P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe;Intel Core2 XE X6800;Corsair TWIN2XP2048 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 RAM;2xAsus GeForce 7950 GX2;BFG PhysX Accel.;IBM DVD-RAM/Plextor DVD±RW;Seagate 750GB HD 7200RPM;WDX 150GB 10000RPM;Vigor Monsoon TEC Cooler

10-18-2006, 12:03 AM	#5 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	I do, but much more faintly since I boosted the wave out- to the point where I really don't notice it anymore unless I listen for it. It's not so bad now. I wonder whether or not it would go away if I bought a decent aftermarket sound card? __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

10-18-2006, 01:31 AM	#6 (permalink)
chauffeur2 Manager Emeritus Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Adelaide, South Australia Posts: 10,180 OS: Xp Sp3 with all updates + Vista™ Ultimate SP1. My System	Hey Fox, Are these the same speakers that you had the problem with a little while ago? If they are; then, the best solution I can offer is to get some aluminium foil and wrap it around all the connector plugs from the speakers and see if that helps. [a rough 'fix' but highly effective with those "oldies"! ] __________________ Dave T. Submit New Articles If it works, Don't fix it! Especially if Bill Gates had anything to do with it!!

10-18-2006, 10:50 AM	#7 (permalink)
Joefireline Enthusiastic TSFer~Joseph Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portishead (Bristol) England Posts: 5,319 OS: Windows 7 64bit(Desktop) / XP Home SP2(laptop) My System	Maybe a stupid comment, but I would have thought that would be something to do with the intergrated microphone, not sure though. Have you got the microphone muted?

10-18-2006, 12:22 PM	#9 (permalink)
Joefireline Enthusiastic TSFer~Joseph Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portishead (Bristol) England Posts: 5,319 OS: Windows 7 64bit(Desktop) / XP Home SP2(laptop) My System	You could always contact Acer, see what they say...

10-20-2006, 04:52 PM	#10 (permalink)
robertparis Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP (Vista RC2)	Try to mute your line-in.

10-21-2006, 12:00 PM	#11 (permalink)
ebackhus Manager, Design Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: SATX Posts: 14,142 OS: WinXP Pro SP3/Windows 7 RTM My System Blog Entries: 28	Agreed. My PC would make some WEIRD noises when the line-in wasn't muted. Nothing was connected but it'd still make the sounds at random points. __________________ ----------------------------- There are no dumb questions, unless a customer is asking them. Help in the fight against cancer and other serious illnesses.

10-21-2006, 02:07 PM	#12 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	All the recording devices are muted. It's definitely the machine itself. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

10-22-2006, 08:47 AM	#13 (permalink)
robertparis Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3 OS: XP (Vista RC2)	I hade the line-in problem with Xp, but that was fixed when I muted it. Now, with Windows Vista, I have a similar problem. I noticed that the problem is worse when opening pages with Adobe Flash, so I did a search on that. It seems that there is a problem with either the Video card or the sound card drivers. I am getting sick and tired of this problem. Will try and call Acer on Monday, but shouldn't expect too much help from them I guess.

01-09-2007, 11:15 PM	#14 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	I finally resolved the problem. I never would have guessed it. Tonight when I picked up my laptop, I was looking at it from the front for a split second at a certain angle, and I saw the infrared port blink the same pattern as that interference that I got. On that hunch, I went into the Device Manager and disabled the infrared. Lo and behold, the sound no longer occurs. I think what I was hearing was the IR port actively scanning for devices to connect to. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

01-10-2007, 11:15 AM	#15 (permalink)
Joefireline Enthusiastic TSFer~Joseph Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Portishead (Bristol) England Posts: 5,319 OS: Windows 7 64bit(Desktop) / XP Home SP2(laptop) My System	That really is rather strange, and strange that you noticed it! You aren't actully suppost to see IR signals... The IR on my laptop has never made this noise, and it is rather strange that it does make this noise. Glad you resolved it though Fox!

01-10-2007, 01:18 PM	#16 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Thanks! Maybe I ought to put this new superpower to the test. Infrared vision...that could come in super-handy. I could look straight through my amplifier and see when a valve is about to go. __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

01-10-2007, 03:43 PM	#18 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	Yeah, sure. I'll just need your bank account's routing number and your PIN code so I can add you to the payroll __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!

01-11-2007, 03:41 PM	#20 (permalink)
Fox TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: NJ Posts: 7,752 OS: XP Pro, CentOS My System	I'm in your bank account, withdrawing your money :P __________________ Antec Neo Power 500W, ABIT IP35-E, Intel E2180@2.66Ghz, Corsair XMS2 2x1GB DDR2-800, PNY 8800GT, 320GB Seagate * lazy college student alert *- If I've inadvertently ignored a thread, please Let me know about it Have I helped you solve your problem? Donate to Techsupportforums Klart Skepp!