Sound problem

Started by DR M, September 08, 2019, 10:21:29 AM

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DR M

Suddenly I am hearing a strange bad sound every time the computer plays audio (loud). It is like a screw that is inside the laptop and moves due to the sound waves.

What I did:

I recorded with a sound editor program (audacity) the sound from the computer to check if the sound is internal issue. The result was perfect, no problem at all. So the problem is due to something in the "environment" of the laptop. Of course I didn't use the computer to hear to the sample of sound, but another device.

I tried to open it (I did it before, when I replaced the hard drive), to see if everything is in their place, but there are two screws I can't deal with... :(

Any other ideas? I will be very  :(  if I can't use the computer for audio works, so any comment will be very appreciated...
Grecian Geek

"Count your blessings, remember your prayers..."

"In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars will be laughing when you look at the sky at night.. You, only you, will have stars that can laugh..."

Pete!

Since you didn't describe the problem with the screws, I may be making erroneous assumptions. Just take this for what it's worth...

Are you using a screwdriver that fits the screw perfectly? The wrong size will just slip if the screw is tight.

See also https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-remove-a-stripped-screw-from-a-laptop

DR M

Quote from: Pete! on September 08, 2019, 01:52:44 PM
Since you didn't describe the problem with the screws, I may be making erroneous assumptions. Just take this for what it's worth...
Are you using a screwdriver that fits the screw perfectly? The wrong size will just slip if the screw is tight.
See also https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-remove-a-stripped-screw-from-a-laptop

Thanks, pete!.

It sounds ... somehow, but I am dealing with a problem with my hand right now, so I can't remove the two specific screws. The screw driver can't remove them and I can't try the specific actions. And of course I won't give the computer to a technician so...  :(
Grecian Geek

"Count your blessings, remember your prayers..."

"In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars will be laughing when you look at the sky at night.. You, only you, will have stars that can laugh..."

plodr

Does the noise occur with every sound?
1. Try an mp3 file on your computer, not using a browser.
2. Play part of an mp4 file (audio and video). Again make sure it is on your computer and not through a browser.
3. Play a YouTube video

Is the sound present in each case? Try 2 different music player programs. Maybe WMP or one of the variations like WMP Classic, Foobar 2000, VLC, GOM, Media Monkey...

What brand and model of laptop do you use?
Chugging coffee and computing!

DR M

The noise occurs with every sound, using a browser or not, with audio or video, in youtube, in every format, with VLC and WMP. Especially when the volume is high.

The computer is old, almost 8 years, Dell XPS. The cd/dvd case/device stopped working the last couple of years.

I tried to record external sound with the same program I used before, but it says that the device is invalid. Is there a way to check anything about the audio device? In device manager I don't get any error.

I will try to record the sound and attach it.
Grecian Geek

"Count your blessings, remember your prayers..."

"In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars will be laughing when you look at the sky at night.. You, only you, will have stars that can laugh..."

DR M

UPDATE:

The noise is like the sound being produced when a dvd/cd tries to load but it can't. Perhaps it has to do with the broken case/device? Just an hypothesis.
Grecian Geek

"Count your blessings, remember your prayers..."

"In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars will be laughing when you look at the sky at night.. You, only you, will have stars that can laugh..."

winchester73

Quote from: DR M on September 08, 2019, 04:45:17 PM

[snip]   Especially when the volume is high   [/snip]


Is there much/any "noise" on a low volume?  Does the noise get louder/more noticeable as the volume goes up?  Crackling sounds during audio playback could be a sign of blown speakers.

Do you have headphones you can plug in?  If there is no noise present, that would indicate a speaker issue.  Speakers are a relatively simple and inexpensive repair.  If the problem is caused by the audio chipset you'd hear the crackling noise in both headphones and speakers.
Speak softly, but carry a big Winchester ... Winchester Arms Collectors Association member

DR M

QuoteIs there much/any "noise" on a low volume?  Does the noise get louder/more noticeable as the volume goes up?  Crackling sounds during audio playback could be a sign of blown speakers.

Do you have headphones you can plug in?  If there is no noise present, that would indicate a speaker issue.  Speakers are a relatively simple and inexpensive repair.  If the problem is caused by the audio chipset you'd hear the crackling noise in both headphones and speakers.

Yes, the noise gets louder/more noticeable as the volume goes up.
No noise present with the headphones plugged in.
I plugged in an external speaker and everything is OK.

So, you think it is a speaker issue? How difficult/complicated would be if I changed it myself instead of giving it to a technician?
Grecian Geek

"Count your blessings, remember your prayers..."

"In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars will be laughing when you look at the sky at night.. You, only you, will have stars that can laugh..."

winchester73

Sure sounds like a speaker problem ...

Quotebut I am dealing with a problem with my hand right now, so I can't remove the two specific screws. The screw driver can't remove them and I can't try the specific actions. And of course I won't give the computer to a technician so...

It's not that difficult to replace them, but you have to be able to open the case  ;)
Speak softly, but carry a big Winchester ... Winchester Arms Collectors Association member

DR M

QuoteIt's not that difficult to replace them, but you have to be able to open the case

Well... you have to turn the computer into pieces and then find the little speakers hidden in the last layer of the box!
https://www.parts-people.com/blog/2014/10/09/dell-xps-l502x-speaker-removal-and-installation/

When I changed the hard disk it was much easier. It's difficult for me now to do such a thing. I'll use this external blue tooth speaker and I'll see for the future. It is a good computer, but time started to leave its signs on it. First the battery, then the dvd/cd case, now the speakers.
Grecian Geek

"Count your blessings, remember your prayers..."

"In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars will be laughing when you look at the sky at night.. You, only you, will have stars that can laugh..."