Need tips for eliminating HDD noise

coffeejolts · 04-21-2008, 10:27 AM

I am getting a fair amount of HDD noise through my speakers. I have an Asus Pundit MB using onboard sound (SoundMax). The HDD noise drives me nuts, especially if I'm playing a quiet song. The harder the computer works, the worse the noise gets. The engine speed does not affect the noise, plus I have a nice solid ground point, so I don't really think grounding is the issue here.

I did read where some people had success eliminating HDD noise by grounding the PC chassis. I tried this, but it did not help. I also tried using a cheap usb sound card instead of the onboard sound. That didn't help either. My next step is to try using an Audigy PCI audio card that I have laying around. Is there anything else I should try?

skuller · 04-21-2008, 03:18 PM

did you try ground loop isolator?
something like this:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

coffeejolts · 04-21-2008, 03:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by skuller

did you try ground loop isolator?
something like this:
http://www.radioshack.com/product/in...entPage=search

No, I did not. Everything I've read says that you should not need one if you do a proper ground. When I have some time, I'll hook up a AC PSU to the carputer and see how it sounds. If the noise is gone, I'll have a good indication that it's a grounding problem.

coffeejolts · 04-21-2008, 10:52 PM

Ok, I just tried an Audigy 2 in place of the onboard sound. The HDD is much fainter now, but it's still there.

HiJackZX1 · 04-22-2008, 06:21 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by coffeejolts

Ok, I just tried an Audigy 2 in place of the onboard sound. The HDD is much fainter now, but it's still there.

The easiest thing to do is buy a Ground Loop isolator, it will remove the device whine 100%. If I were you though, I would get the isolator from Best Buy. http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1122655296186, it is the only one I have used that does not muffle sound quality, infact it improves it. I use an isolator on the front, rear and sub. The price ($17.99) is a bit much, but like I said it does not mess up sound quality. Try Ebay'ing it, I got lucky with mine and got 5 of the units for $20.00.

coffeejolts · 04-22-2008, 04:22 PM

I broke down and bought one of those isolators (IEC GLI) off of Ebay. It came to $11 including shipping, so not too bad. In the meantime, I'm going to keep fiddling around and see if I can't solve the problem without the GLI.

visenri · 04-24-2008, 06:15 PM

You have to check windows sound mixer and make sure all unused audio sources are in mute (mainly mic, aux, line in, etc).

In 90% of cases mic input picks up noise from HD and other sources, it's very sensitive, this is norlmal. Just mute all unused audio sources.

coffeejolts · 05-12-2008, 02:24 PM

Well, the GLI "fixed" the issue- or should I say "hid". I don't notice any difference in sound, but I wish I could have eliminated the noise without the GLI.

pancit175 · 05-14-2008, 07:39 PM

The only way I think is possible is to put ferrite chokes over each of the cables of the device that is creating or receiving the noise. Its worth a shot.