A few small computer problems... any help greatly appreciated.

[alanhall4]

My 1st problem is that my monitor is constantly shaking. It's not really noticeable, but you can see it when you look for it. Shaking is not really the right word, but I can't really explain it. I've got my monitor on my desk in my dorm room right next to my case and my printer. My Subwoofer is sitting on the floor next to the desk. I can't figure out what is causing this. Could something be interfering with it?

My 2nd problem is that my speakers and sub buzz when both my computer and TV are plugged into them. If only one is plugged in then it's fine, but with two, there is a pretty loud hum. I've tried plugging the tv to the soundcard and then the soundcard to the sub, and I?ve tried plugging the tv and computer separately to the sub, and it makes noise either way. I don't understand this one either.

My final problem is that my cpu is bit hot, which seems to be pretty typically of these athlons. It runs from about 68 degrees C to 72 degrees C, and maybe slightly higher. Right now I only have the stock fan on the cpu, and one fan in my case. Should I change my cpu fan, and add more case fans? If so, what kind?

Thanks for any help that anyone can provide. These little things have been driving me crazy.

Here's my system:
Video Card- MSI Geforce 4 TI4600
Motherboard- Gigabyte GA-7VRXP
CPU- Athlon 2100+
RAM- Corsair Xtreme DDR 333 512 MB
Monitor- 19'' Viewsonic A90f
Sound- Audigy OEM
CDRW- Plextor 24/10/40a
DVD- Pioneer 16x
Floppy drive- generic
Internal Zip drive
Speakers- Altec Lansing 641
Case- Antec PLUS660 w/ 350 watt antec power supply

 

[Slappy00]

My 1st problem is that my monitor is constantly shaking

Is the monitor a trinitron? If so Ive heard of the aperture grille becoming loose and causing such a problem, other than that magnetic fields are a common cause. Is you Sub a big-ass sub? Or maybe are your desktop speakers shielded if they are close to your monitor? you try tol deguass the monitor? you try pluggin in a different video card to see if the flickering stays the same? YOu try a different outlet to see if its the power supply (which is crap in most dorms...ive been there).

My 2nd problem is that my speakers and sub buzz when both my computer and TV are plugged into them.

DO your speakers come with an Amp or do they draw their power from the soundcard? Other than that question i dono what that could be... sounds like there is some interfereence between signals, have you tried to plug them in but leave one turned off like the TV?

My final problem is that my cpu is bit hot

Yah Athlons run a bit hot, the stock fan (i assume you are talking about the retail fan from AMD) is plenty if you are not overclocking. THe best that you can do is to purchase two more fans, one for the front of your computer (usually right below the power and reset switches) and one right next to the cpu. THis will produce a flow from the front and out the back that wil dissapate alot of the ambient heat that the power supply alone cannnot do real well. I myself just said screwit and got a case form 3dcool.com but thats a $100 investment two fans should be fine to keep tems where they should be (once again unless your overclocking).

 

[Smilin]

Dude, it kinda sounds like you have some noisy power coming from your outlets or something. Buzzing from speakers and vibration in your monitor image both kindof point to that although it's not the only explanation.

For your monitor try bumping the refresh up or down by a few hz...you might be able to get yourself 'out of phase' so to speak from whatever noise you're getting. For the speakers try plugging the power into a different circuit. How are you connecting both items to your speaker sytem anyway? You could be introducting some noise or too strong of a signal somehow.

Your athlon sounds a bit hot. 95C is the thermal limit on that thing so you're not breaking it but it's definately running hot. I run at about 47 idle after a warm-up. My old 1333 ran at about 55. I think you're probably ok on the heat - just be sure to keep that heatsink really clean. The stock heatsinks work fine but their design seems to clog with dust bunnies real easily.

 

[alanhall4]

Yeah I'm guessing that you all are probably right, and that it is the power in these rooms. Thanks for the help.

 

[radioactiveballpoint]

My monitor (Sony 420GS) does the same thing, and I'm just about certain it's because of the power. I've tried it in different buildings and power circuits and some are better than others. On mine if i set the refesh to 60Hz it doesn't shake at all, but it shakes at higher refresh rates. At anything over 60, the lower the refresh rate the worse the shaking. It's barely noticible at 100Hz.

 

[microAmp]

If you suspect the power being 'dirty' and causing problems you can try a uninterrupable power supply (UPS) and it may... clear up the problem.

 

[FearOrLove]

Using the same outlet/power bar for the tv, computer and audio amplifier may resolve your buzzing problem.

 

[Bleep]

Heck just do it by elimination. dont plug anything into the socket except the computer and monitor. If it dont shake just plug stuff in one at a time until the shake comes back.
If it shakes with just the computer and monitor plugged in get a extension cord and run it across the hall to another socket and see if that helps if it does get a ups.
Bleep