buzzing sound from speakers

[imported_Lucifer]

hi

i got some dell speakers from my cousin. 4 sattelite, 1 center channel and it has 2 6 1/2 subwoofers in a box. im only using one of the plugs on the connecter thing that goes to the sound card. so i can only use 2 speakers. anyways, i get buzzing sounds sometimes, and i always get a weird static sound. also, when i minimize a window, or click a link or something, i can hear a weid noise that goes with it.

do i need to get a sound card? if so, what kind? id like to use all the speakers, so i need something that would let me use them all.

if this helps, the speakers are made by altec lansing. just has dells name on it.

thanks.

 

[CrispyFried]

sounds like the unused inputs arent grounded and that could cause buzzing. why dont you use the other inputs?

 

[firerock]

I agree with CrispyFried. Another possibility is that you are receiving some electric noise through those speakers. So, check to see if your speaker wires are twisted, cross wires with bunch of other power plugs/wires. Basically, you need those wires to be loose and not tight/cramped together to cause any maganatic fields...etc.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

ok thanks. i took a pic of the connectors to see if it helps. Text

i was told i cant use all the speakers because the onboard sound is not good enough. i plug in the green plug but do the others go in the other plug things?

 

[CrispyFried]

if your motherboard has 5.1 sound you can use all all inputs. if its only 2.0 then you cant.

what kind onboard sound is it? can you take a pic of the back panel?

there are adapters you can use if your onboard sound is only 2.0 to get all the speakers going, and they would probably eliminate the buzzing sound also. basically you would need two 1/8" to double 1/8" stereo "Y" adapters. you would plug one into your onboard sound socket, plug the other adapter into the one end of the 1st, then plug the speaker inputs into the 3 free plugs. sounds weird, but its really simple and it would allow use of all your speakers. It wouldnt be true 5.1 sound, just stereo sound using all speakers. the center channel speaker would get either a left or right signal however.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

hi

im not sure what onboard sound it is. and i dont even know if i have 5.1 sound.

here is a pic. pic

thanks!

 

[CrispyFried]

it looks like you may have 5.1 sound but its hard to tell. plug the other two inputs into the pink and green plugs (the ones next to the one you have it plugged into in the picture). make sure you select 5.1 in your sound setup, start an mp3 playing. see what happens. if its wrong you wont hurt anything. it might make a rude noise though, so have the volume on the speakers low when you try this.

are there any markings near the plugs? like arrows pointing towards or away from the plugs or mic icons?

do you have a manual or model number for you comp?

 

[Ghouler]

i'd suggest testing the outputs with headphones. If that works right, then it's your speakers that suck. Otherwise get yourself a proper soundcard

 

[CrispyFried]

Originally posted by: Ghouler
i'd suggest testing the outputs with headphones.

good idea, fast and simple.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

I plugged the other plugs into the other ones and the buzzing was just slightly lower. how do i select 5.1?

there arent any markings on the plugs either. also, i dont know the model number of the computer. my brother built it. it has an ASUS motherboard but I dont know which one.

there is an nforce control panel for the sound. but i dont see an option for 5.1 sound. also, i put the thing on 4 speaker setup and plugging other speakers in had no sound.

the outputs are fine on headphones.

my cousin told me that he was having the same issue with buzzing, and couldnt use all the other speakers without another soundcard. he said he got a soundblaster and the buzzing went away and that he was able to use the other speakers.

i should probably buy one, but i wanted to see if there was a work around.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

sorry for small image.

edit: i still get teh funky noises from minimizing and maximizing windows.

 

[CrispyFried]

unselect "digital output" in that panel and leave it on the highest number of speakers it lists in the drop down box.

I thought the nforce boards were 5.1 but Im not sure.

do you get sound from the headphones from the other jacks? or only the center one? try the two jacks off to the side too with the headphones.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

ok i unselected digital output and put it on the max speakers, which is 6. i tried adding an extra speaker and no sound came out of it.

i only get sound out of the center one. i dont get sound out of the other 2 jacks.

 

[CrispyFried]

there are what look like 2 more jacks near the rca connector (on the otherside of the usb connectors). what do those do with headphones connected?

 

[imported_Lucifer]

No sound out of the headphones either.

 

[imported_Lucifer]

ok I got the soundblaster soundcard. Does Windows have built in drivers for these cards? I have no idea what model it is. It says CT4740 on it , but nothing came up on Creatives site.

If a pic is needed I can take one.

thx