Tips for resolving ground loop noise.
Tips for resolving ground loop noise.
Yesterday I first noticed a faint buzzing noise from my subwoofer whenever I moved the mouse. This happened with my old PC, but also on my main system when working in certain programs. I saw a video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=einxGsiuwso and found out it might be a ground loop. Despite what the video suggests, I don’t think the suggested accessories are really inexpensive for their quality. :- So I’m looking for more affordable but still effective options. I’m based in the UK.
Search for information on "ground or audio loop" and related topics. Explore general concepts about ground loops and their implications. Look for visuals and examples illustrating such loops. Plan your setup carefully, noting all devices, connections, cables, and ports. Spot possible loops in your configuration and consider adjustments to interrupt the loop. Make changes gradually, observing any negative impacts. Always safeguard crucial data by backing it up at least twice in separate locations. Confirm backups are accessible and intact. Determine the root cause and prioritize practical fixes, which may involve hardware or electrical solutions.
From what I've understood and observed, it's still the subwoofer and mouse. After disconnecting everything, the issue only appears when the subwoofer is reconnected. It was connected to the same extension as the monitor, but now it's in a different one, which shares the power cable with the base unit. I also tested my original serial mouse, but it works fine with that setup, though it's much quieter.
The connections for the subwoofer and mouse via USB are worth checking. The monitor also needs to be considered—does it include speakers or a sound bar? Also, what are the make and model details? Could you clarify if you're referring to a power strip or another electrical outlet for the base unit, perhaps for testing? For the monitor specifically, let me know if you'd like help finding an alternative power source. An audiophile might also have useful tips to share.
The subwoofer is linked via the standard 3.5mm jack into the sound card. The mouse uses USB, but I've used a serial adapter instead. I still aim for that vintage serial look, even though my regular ball mouse isn't fast enough. There are no monitor speakers, but I have stereo speakers on either side of the subwoofer. The monitor is a CRT Samtron 76E. The speakers are a Yamaha YST-MSW10 subwoofer paired with YTS-20DSP speakers. And yes, I'm also considering a power strip. There are two available. I could try connecting the base unit in another extension, and hopefully the cable will work. I'll attempt it tomorrow. The monitor won't reach it, but I might try connecting them separately or both to the other unit.
If the sub is linked through analog, you can interrupt the ground loop by placing a transformer on the ground side of the 3.5mm line-level with a simple analog ground-loop isolator.
Perfect!
😀
That sounds more reasonable.
Regarding the mouse, thanks for letting me know. I had mistakenly mentioned serial; it's actually a PS/2 adapter.
The mouse I'm using is an optical Microsoft v2.0 model, which resembles the B58 design. I'm not sure about the dpi, but some sources suggest it's around 800 dpi...?
Thanks.
The Microsoft Basic Optical Mouse v2.0 (Model: MSK-1113) launched in 2007 with a resolution of 800dpi. It succeeded the 2003 version which offered 400dpi. Both models advertise a top tracking speed of 20 inches per second, though the Wheel Mouse Optical 1.1a is designed to match the Basic Optical Mouse 1.0 performance at speeds up to 39 inches per second without issues, reaching a maximum of 83 inches per second. Beyond that, performance degrades with erratic movement and potential misdirection if the mouse is moved too swiftly. An 800dpi setting works best on screens with resolutions around 1440p or 1600p, while 400dpi suits approximately 1280x1024. Higher resolutions like 1600dpi or above are better suited for 4K displays, though this depends on personal preference. In 2003, Microsoft introduced tilt-wheel technology for premium mice but not for budget models like this one. You can adjust the PS/2 port speed to 200Hz in Windows XP using registry changes, which involves navigating to the registry under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and modifying the "SampleRate" value to 200.