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RAM (or possibly something else) noise?

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  • A Anton Afanasyev

    Just noticed this: while I'm in Notepad2, and i start typing stuff, something inside my computer produces a noise. A crackling/buzzing/frying/ANNOYING very high-pitched noise. Nobody else I've asked can hear it, but then again, there are many things that I can hear and people around me cant. Same thing happens when I scroll inside Notepad2. Now, whilst this doesnt happen outside of Notepad2, I dont think its an issue that is specific to this program alone, I think that something got messed up in my system. Anyone else has had this kind of noise? Any pointers? Thanks. /me puts on headphones and doubles the volume...

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    Thunderbox666
    wrote on last edited by
    #25

    Anton Afanasyev wrote:

    but then again, there are many things that I can hear and people around me cant

    Im the same... but my psyciatrist said that the voices arnt real. :laugh: But seriously, I would check the moving parts first (fans, HDD, CD/DVD, etc), and if they are all fine, maybe you just are sensitive to certain frequencies or something. I know i hear the high pitch screaming from monitors and TVs and stuff like that.

    "There are three sides to every story. Yours, mine and the truth" ~ unknown

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    • A Anton Afanasyev

      Just noticed this: while I'm in Notepad2, and i start typing stuff, something inside my computer produces a noise. A crackling/buzzing/frying/ANNOYING very high-pitched noise. Nobody else I've asked can hear it, but then again, there are many things that I can hear and people around me cant. Same thing happens when I scroll inside Notepad2. Now, whilst this doesnt happen outside of Notepad2, I dont think its an issue that is specific to this program alone, I think that something got messed up in my system. Anyone else has had this kind of noise? Any pointers? Thanks. /me puts on headphones and doubles the volume...

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      BoneSoft
      wrote on last edited by
      #26

      If you're running Vista, it's probably internally bitching about you using something so simple and un-bloated. However, a couple of months ago I started to notice a similar noise that would happen anytime the process was in constant use. After a month it was really noticable. Two weeks later it was noticable sitting idle, and loud when the processor was pegged. Then is started spontaneously rebooting. Checked hardware monitors in the BIOS and noticed that the power supply fan was running low RPMs. I replaced the PS two weeks ago, and it's feeling much better now.


      Try code model generation tools at BoneSoft.com.

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      • A Anton Afanasyev

        Well, ive though about it already...took the case off, and its coming somewhere from...either RAM, video card, or the motherboard itself. Not exactly easy to isolate. Whats worse, is that the closer i listen to it(ie, bring my ear closer to each of these components), the less I can hear the sound. Ah well, I'll wait some time until maybe somebody has any other suggestions (doubt it though, a very broad/unanswerable question :/ ). Over the weekend I just might try removing RAM sticks one by one (i got 4..oh joy), see if that makes a difference. Then maybe swap the video card...ahh, sounds like a fun weekend away from code :laugh:

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        BoneSoft
        wrote on last edited by
        #27

        It can't be the RAM, they have no moving parts. I would bet on a fan or the power supply. That reminds me of a story... I had a processor fan that was starting to die, at first it sounded like a cable was slightly too close the the blades. But then it stopped running. If you thumped it, it would start and run, it just couldn't get started on it's own. So I went to Best Buy looking for a new fan, and this Best Buy kid tried to tell me that it was the heat sink and not the fan that was making noise. So for 10 minutes, I made him try to explain to me how the heat sink could make broken fan noises. He tried, it was good entertainment.


        Try code model generation tools at BoneSoft.com.

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        • J Joel S

          I would suggest trying a new monitor too. I had a similar problem with "buzzing" noise caused by certain applications and mouse movement. Some type of frequency interference i think. New monitor worked for me. I also had a noise problem with an old laptop that i never figured out...perhaps it was just at the end of its life.

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          BoneSoft
          wrote on last edited by
          #28

          That's true, some old CRTs can make noise especially when there's a lot of white background (for some odd reason). But it sounds like you're hearing it in the case.


          Try code model generation tools at BoneSoft.com.

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          • A Anton Afanasyev

            Just noticed this: while I'm in Notepad2, and i start typing stuff, something inside my computer produces a noise. A crackling/buzzing/frying/ANNOYING very high-pitched noise. Nobody else I've asked can hear it, but then again, there are many things that I can hear and people around me cant. Same thing happens when I scroll inside Notepad2. Now, whilst this doesnt happen outside of Notepad2, I dont think its an issue that is specific to this program alone, I think that something got messed up in my system. Anyone else has had this kind of noise? Any pointers? Thanks. /me puts on headphones and doubles the volume...

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            rourke11
            wrote on last edited by
            #29

            I hear your pain. Those stupid UltraSonic Pest repellers irrate me to no end. I had my hearing tested in the service, but it was a very comprehensive test because of the job I did and I was way above and below the normal specturm for hearing. Is it only this program? Any others? Well here are a few things to try: Get a stethscope or make a cone(and use it like a stethscope) and try to isolate the sound. It will let you pinpoint better while blocking the surrounding sounds. Check your fans mine bug me if the get out of balance because of dust. Vantec makes some really quiet ones. My MB varies the speed of the fans due to load and when my computer is working really hard the sound get more noticable. If you think it is the monitor try a ferrite on your cable. You might try your mouse and/or keyboard, but I would be more interesed why you are getting static on this lines? Is it really dry where you are? Do you shuffle your feet wearing wool socks across the carpet and electricute you PC for fun?(jk) Is the outlet that your system plugged into really grounded or is the ground not deep enough or not attached completely? Seperate all power cables from device cables as much as possible. Use a UPS/power conditioner. Even a cheap one with a small battery is better than nothing and a world of difference than just a power strip even with "Power Conditioners", but together even better. - Individuality: Always remember that you are unique. Just like everybody else. www.despair.com

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            • R raicuandi

              Yeah, happened to me too some years ago, at an old PC. Have you tried using another monitor? Maybe if a friend has a new LCD one, you could give it a try, can't hurt...

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              Eric Eggers
              wrote on last edited by
              #30

              My old 8086 with no hard drive made some high-frequency sounds that would vary in frequency when certain tasks were performed. It was at the foot of the basement stairs for a time and I could tell when it was on just hearing it at the top.

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              • A Anton Afanasyev

                El Corazon wrote:

                Actually I too hear beyond "average" human hearing

                Dunno what your range is, but for me, TVs are a pain to be near when they show nothing on the screen...even to the point where I had to ask one of my teachers in school to turn the TV off, as there was a powerpoint streaming to it, and it was annoying. It was hard to explain to the teacher...... :/

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                Tom Delany
                wrote on last edited by
                #31

                Anton Afanasyev wrote:

                TVs are a pain to be near when they show nothing on the screen

                I used to be able to here the horizontal oscillator in old style CRT based TVs. Dunno if it was the CRT deflection coils or the flyback transformer whining, but it used to drive me nuts, too. Alas, as I have gotten older, my hearing has declined and I don't notice it so much... or maybe it's because there are less and less CRTs around these days...

                WE ARE DYSLEXIC OF BORG. Refutance is systile. Your a$$ will be laminated.

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                • A Anton Afanasyev

                  Just noticed this: while I'm in Notepad2, and i start typing stuff, something inside my computer produces a noise. A crackling/buzzing/frying/ANNOYING very high-pitched noise. Nobody else I've asked can hear it, but then again, there are many things that I can hear and people around me cant. Same thing happens when I scroll inside Notepad2. Now, whilst this doesnt happen outside of Notepad2, I dont think its an issue that is specific to this program alone, I think that something got messed up in my system. Anyone else has had this kind of noise? Any pointers? Thanks. /me puts on headphones and doubles the volume...

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                  patbob
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #32

                  You need a tin foil hat :) It's probably doing a software loop that causes some minor power fluctuation. Notepad's pretty ancient, and I think it used to spin on the CPU while it ran. IIRC, MS did something to it to make it not spin on the CPU, but they sure didn't rewrite it from scratch (all the same bugs still remain).. they probably just put some short sleep in the loop or something. So, it is possible it could be doing short bursts of work, which could be causing short power fluctuations. They'd most likely show up through the speakers, so physically disconnect them (don't just mute them) and see if it goes away. It's also possible, although less likely, that they just happen to match the mechanical resonant frequency of some part in the power system. Sort of like the old play-music-from-your-PC-through-your-AM-radio, from back in the stone ages when computers didn't have speakers (or sound hardware at all) -- tuned software loops could cause EMI interference that got picked up on AM radios as different frequencies. That was a pretty cool hack, actually.. we all knew you could get an audible system status by listending to it on an AM radio.. waiting for input had a different sound than running this or that part of a program, etc. Someone wrote some tuned software loops, and viola, music through the AM EMI :) But I digress.

                  patbob

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                  • R raicuandi

                    Yeah, happened to me too some years ago, at an old PC. Have you tried using another monitor? Maybe if a friend has a new LCD one, you could give it a try, can't hurt...

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                    ThomasBates
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #33

                    I've had a couple of big shiny new CRT monitors from different companies. My current one is a Dell, I don't remember what the other one was. I don't know a lot about CRT technology, but on both of them I've found the following: When I turn the resolution up to max, sometimes applications with a mostly white background produce a buzzing sound. When I minimize the apps or move another app in front of them the buzzing stops. Sometimes resizing the apps to make them smaller stops the buzzing. When I set the screen resolution to something in the middle of the monitor's range, I don't get any buzzing at all. I have my current monitor because the previous one stopped working. The local monitor repair guy said that running a monitor at its max settings will burn it out a lot faster and that's probably what happened to mine. What can I say? I like resolution. Thomas Bates I want to live in Theory. Everything works in Theory. (uncredited)

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                    • A Anton Afanasyev

                      Just noticed this: while I'm in Notepad2, and i start typing stuff, something inside my computer produces a noise. A crackling/buzzing/frying/ANNOYING very high-pitched noise. Nobody else I've asked can hear it, but then again, there are many things that I can hear and people around me cant. Same thing happens when I scroll inside Notepad2. Now, whilst this doesnt happen outside of Notepad2, I dont think its an issue that is specific to this program alone, I think that something got messed up in my system. Anyone else has had this kind of noise? Any pointers? Thanks. /me puts on headphones and doubles the volume...

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                      firegryphon
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #34

                      Does the sound go away when you plug in your headphones? Do you have a speaker mounted in your computer? I've had oddball sounds like that when there was crosstalk on the internal the speaker from various other components. You might pull off the case and just see where the speaker is and if the speaker wires are near anything else. You might even just unplug the speaker and move the speaker wires away from everything and see if it still makes the noise.

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                      • A Anton Afanasyev

                        Just noticed this: while I'm in Notepad2, and i start typing stuff, something inside my computer produces a noise. A crackling/buzzing/frying/ANNOYING very high-pitched noise. Nobody else I've asked can hear it, but then again, there are many things that I can hear and people around me cant. Same thing happens when I scroll inside Notepad2. Now, whilst this doesnt happen outside of Notepad2, I dont think its an issue that is specific to this program alone, I think that something got messed up in my system. Anyone else has had this kind of noise? Any pointers? Thanks. /me puts on headphones and doubles the volume...

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                        hiperboreo
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #35

                        Hey! I hear the same kind of noice at the same situations! But in my case not only occurs with the notepad but with all programs! I really don't know what is it... Don't worry, the sound isn't inside your head jejexD

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                        • B BoneSoft

                          It can't be the RAM, they have no moving parts. I would bet on a fan or the power supply. That reminds me of a story... I had a processor fan that was starting to die, at first it sounded like a cable was slightly too close the the blades. But then it stopped running. If you thumped it, it would start and run, it just couldn't get started on it's own. So I went to Best Buy looking for a new fan, and this Best Buy kid tried to tell me that it was the heat sink and not the fan that was making noise. So for 10 minutes, I made him try to explain to me how the heat sink could make broken fan noises. He tried, it was good entertainment.


                          Try code model generation tools at BoneSoft.com.

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                          H Offline
                          hvanzyll
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #36

                          Speakers have no moving parts either... yet they make noise... I know completly diffrent thing... I have heard my machine in the past make exactly that kind of noise... but I upgrade every 3-4 months so it went away... Wish you luck...

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                          • H hvanzyll

                            Speakers have no moving parts either... yet they make noise... I know completly diffrent thing... I have heard my machine in the past make exactly that kind of noise... but I upgrade every 3-4 months so it went away... Wish you luck...

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                            BoneSoft
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #37

                            Wish I could do that... My machine's 2 years old. Yeah technically when you hear "moving parts" it generally means mechanically connected parts moving, which seems a little different than flexible parts vibrating.


                            Try code model generation tools at BoneSoft.com.

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                            • A Anton Afanasyev

                              Just noticed this: while I'm in Notepad2, and i start typing stuff, something inside my computer produces a noise. A crackling/buzzing/frying/ANNOYING very high-pitched noise. Nobody else I've asked can hear it, but then again, there are many things that I can hear and people around me cant. Same thing happens when I scroll inside Notepad2. Now, whilst this doesnt happen outside of Notepad2, I dont think its an issue that is specific to this program alone, I think that something got messed up in my system. Anyone else has had this kind of noise? Any pointers? Thanks. /me puts on headphones and doubles the volume...

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                              TomGarth
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #38

                              Will it go away if you turn off your monitot?

                              Tom Garth Developer R. L. Nelson and Associates, Inc., Virginia

                              1 Reply Last reply
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                              • A Anton Afanasyev

                                Just noticed this: while I'm in Notepad2, and i start typing stuff, something inside my computer produces a noise. A crackling/buzzing/frying/ANNOYING very high-pitched noise. Nobody else I've asked can hear it, but then again, there are many things that I can hear and people around me cant. Same thing happens when I scroll inside Notepad2. Now, whilst this doesnt happen outside of Notepad2, I dont think its an issue that is specific to this program alone, I think that something got messed up in my system. Anyone else has had this kind of noise? Any pointers? Thanks. /me puts on headphones and doubles the volume...

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                                B Offline
                                Blue Argo
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #39

                                Is it a Dell Inspiron laptop?

                                1 Reply Last reply
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                                • H hvanzyll

                                  Speakers have no moving parts either... yet they make noise... I know completly diffrent thing... I have heard my machine in the past make exactly that kind of noise... but I upgrade every 3-4 months so it went away... Wish you luck...

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                                  Claude Long
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #40

                                  Actually, speakers do have moving parts. The voice coil, or equivalent, vibrates as it is driven by an analog of the sound. True, there is nothing that needs bearings, is all elastic, but it moves. Claude Claude Long

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                                  • A Anton Afanasyev

                                    Just noticed this: while I'm in Notepad2, and i start typing stuff, something inside my computer produces a noise. A crackling/buzzing/frying/ANNOYING very high-pitched noise. Nobody else I've asked can hear it, but then again, there are many things that I can hear and people around me cant. Same thing happens when I scroll inside Notepad2. Now, whilst this doesnt happen outside of Notepad2, I dont think its an issue that is specific to this program alone, I think that something got messed up in my system. Anyone else has had this kind of noise? Any pointers? Thanks. /me puts on headphones and doubles the volume...

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                                    Fringe Coder
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #41

                                    Yeah I've noticed strange sounds out of my (older) computer, too. For instance, during heavy processing I can hear the fan speed change. However with a lot of computers (older ones because they are old, and newer ones because they are made of cheaper materials) some kind of interference will occur, I don't know if it's an electrical field or what but it causes sounds to come out of your speakers, particularly when graphics are being updated, but this varies from computer to computer because components are located in different places. For instance, one computer I had would cause a buzzing sound whenever I would minimize/maximize and window, and a different sound when I would drag it. My very new dell laptop actually has already developed this problem, however in this case I think it's something other than the graphics card. I've seen this a lot but can't offer much of a solution for it.

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                                    • A Anton Afanasyev

                                      Just noticed this: while I'm in Notepad2, and i start typing stuff, something inside my computer produces a noise. A crackling/buzzing/frying/ANNOYING very high-pitched noise. Nobody else I've asked can hear it, but then again, there are many things that I can hear and people around me cant. Same thing happens when I scroll inside Notepad2. Now, whilst this doesnt happen outside of Notepad2, I dont think its an issue that is specific to this program alone, I think that something got messed up in my system. Anyone else has had this kind of noise? Any pointers? Thanks. /me puts on headphones and doubles the volume...

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                                      Snorri Kristjansson
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #42

                                      I had this same problem once, it was the power supply that was making the noise.

                                      1 Reply Last reply
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                                      • C Claude Long

                                        Actually, speakers do have moving parts. The voice coil, or equivalent, vibrates as it is driven by an analog of the sound. True, there is nothing that needs bearings, is all elastic, but it moves. Claude Claude Long

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                                        brewdog
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #43

                                        We've wandered from the topic here, but since we're already out here, I'll add that sound does not exist without motion.

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                                        • B BoneSoft

                                          It can't be the RAM, they have no moving parts. I would bet on a fan or the power supply. That reminds me of a story... I had a processor fan that was starting to die, at first it sounded like a cable was slightly too close the the blades. But then it stopped running. If you thumped it, it would start and run, it just couldn't get started on it's own. So I went to Best Buy looking for a new fan, and this Best Buy kid tried to tell me that it was the heat sink and not the fan that was making noise. So for 10 minutes, I made him try to explain to me how the heat sink could make broken fan noises. He tried, it was good entertainment.


                                          Try code model generation tools at BoneSoft.com.

                                          E Offline
                                          E Offline
                                          Elephant_Man
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #44

                                          TV Yokes have no moving parts either but I can hear them. For a simpler comparison, a lot of transformers have no moving parts but you can hear them hum. I've heard of Video cards doing this but not RAM, doesn't mean it's not RAM though. there are 10 kinds of people in this world those that understand binary and those that don't

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