Strange Dell/MOTU problem

  • Thread starter Thread starter pdadda
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pdadda

pdadda

Captain Sea Boots
I recently purchased a new Dell Inspriron 6000 laptop. Here's the spec's:
2.0GHz Pentium M Prcessor
1GB DDR2 RAM (400MHz)
128MB video card

I ran into a strange problem today. Whenever I would move my hand across the touchpad, I would hear crackling through my monitors. Then it was just there constantly. I run the 6000 through a Belkin 4->6pin firewire cable into my MOTU828mkii, with the main outs to my monitors. I tried restarting the computer...still there. I tried switching to the other firewire port on the MOTU...still there. I tried a bunch of crap in my software...all to no avail. I was getting pissed, but then I tried something else. I unplugged the power cord to the computer...dead silence. Plugged it back in...crackling. Well, using battery power is a temporary solution. Any ideas what do next? It seems odd that the noise could be coming from the power adaptor. I have the MOTU, an RNC, and my Wharfies (powered) all on the same surge protected strip.
 
pdadda said:
I recently purchased a new Dell Inspriron 6000 laptop. Here's the spec's:
2.0GHz Pentium M Prcessor
1GB DDR2 RAM (400MHz)
128MB video card

I ran into a strange problem today. Whenever I would move my hand across the touchpad, I would hear crackling through my monitors. Then it was just there constantly. I run the 6000 through a Belkin 4->6pin firewire cable into my MOTU828mkii, with the main outs to my monitors. I tried restarting the computer...still there. I tried switching to the other firewire port on the MOTU...still there. I tried a bunch of crap in my software...all to no avail. I was getting pissed, but then I tried something else. I unplugged the power cord to the computer...dead silence. Plugged it back in...crackling. Well, using battery power is a temporary solution. Any ideas what do next? It seems odd that the noise could be coming from the power adaptor. I have the MOTU, an RNC, and my Wharfies (powered) all on the same surge protected strip.
Click to expand...

Immediately stop using the power supply. Find someone in your area with the same model of machine and borrow a power supply and see if that fixes the problem. Electrical pops in audio (which is what this sounds like) are usually caused by a short in the power cord or in the power jack on the back of a laptop. That can very easily leave you with a dead main logic board if you continue using it for very long in such a state.
 
More detail:

I brought the lappy into work today. No static through the computer speakers whether or not the AC adapter is plugged in. So I'm thinking the adapter is OK. Does it sound like it could be:

1. Crappy electrical wiring in my basement. It does look a little shady (some extension cords and stuff).

2. My firewire port. I guess 4pin is unpowered. So when I pulled out the adapter, I went from electricity to battery power for the firewire port as well?

If I have time tonight, I'll try and move one of my monitors, the MOTU, and the laptop upstairs and see if I still have the same problem.
 
I still back what dgatwood is saying, using computer speakers versus your home monitors might be masking the problem in a different way, you should try a different ac adapter...

here's a question, do you have a three prong or 2 prong adapter for the ac? Could it be a faulty ground loop issue? Try plugging it into one of those 3 prong to 2 prong adapters, see if that fixes the problem, but if that's the case then you should invest in a nice power conditioner/surge protector if you're going to keep with it in the basement.

just my thoughts.
 
It's a 3-prong adapter. Do you have any power conditioner recommendations? I have never looked into onw of those. I have heard the name Furman though.
 
Problrm solved. I came home tonight and turned the laptop on (battery power)->no static. Then I plugged the AC adapter in->static. I have all of my gear plugged into a Belkin 10-outlet surge protector. This surge protector is plugged into one of the outlets in a faceplate. I transferred the AC adapter to the other faceplate oultlet->no static. Perfect. I also noticed before that the LED's on my monitors dimmed when I plugged them into the surge protector before. They don't do it this new way.
 
pdadda said:
Problrm solved. I came home tonight and turned the laptop on (battery power)->no static. Then I plugged the AC adapter in->static. I have all of my gear plugged into a Belkin 10-outlet surge protector. This surge protector is plugged into one of the outlets in a faceplate. I transferred the AC adapter to the other faceplate oultlet->no static. Perfect. I also noticed before that the LED's on my monitors dimmed when I plugged them into the surge protector before. They don't do it this new way.
Click to expand...

Ouch. So there's something wrong with the power outlet. You should probably get that fixed, if only for fire safety reasons.
 
Oddly, I have an outlet tester, and it showed both connections as being correctly wired and grounded.
 
Son of a *&%#@! The static is back. I tried calling Dell support, and they were useless. I'm starting to think it is more of an issue with the Wharfedale's though. If I jiggle the input cable on the wharfie's, I hear static as well. I tried a couple different cables, so I don't think the cables are the problem. But I think they are unbalanced cables. Jeez, maybe I should look into that next.
 
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It only happens at home, so you pretty much can eliminate everything other than power line noise and the speakers. It only happens with the power supply. Again, I ask you, is your power outlet on the same circuit as a piece of heavy machinery with a large electric motor---an office refrigerator, an air conditioner, an electric heater, or similar? What else is on the circuit?

Is the outlet switched? You might have corroded switch contacts.

If you saw the power light dimming, it could very well mean that one of the wires to the outlet is loose (possibly somewhere up the chain) and is making a connection that looks just fine to a volt meter and basic outlet tester but starts to sag in voltage under load. Have you checked the voltage on the second face plate outlet while the computer is turned on and putting load on the line?

Just the first few thoughts that come to mind.
 
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