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Interference - ground loop?

post #1 of 5
8/11/04 at 12:31pm
Thread Starter 
I've just bought an Aspire 1714smi laptop for music production and when I plug it into my mixing desk I get a loud buzzing and hum. It gets even worse when the hard drive spins but stops completely if I unplug the mains adapter and run off the internal battery. I think it could be a ground loop but don't really understand what a ground loop is. If I slightly twist the mains plug in it's socket it also alos goes away, but only if its in a specific plug hole!? V.strange!! Does anyone know what is causing this or how stop it? Could I have a dodgy mains adapter? Help!

Many thanks for any assistance!
Neil
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post #2 of 5
8/14/04 at 3:59pm
Please do not twist any plugs! The results will not be pretty. Most people find that if you purchase a special plug that omits the ground wire, (a three prong to two prong adapter it will solve your problem). There are many other posts on this subject if you do a quick search. It is a power supply problem that is quite common. By the way the adapter can be purchased at Radio Shack among many other outlets for approximately a dollar or two. I have never heard of any problems to date of using this remedy. Good Luck!
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post #3 of 5
8/16/04 at 5:44am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advice! I agree, twisting plugs could be dangerous but I also thought that removing the ground from a device is also dangerous
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post #4 of 5
8/16/04 at 4:45pm
Punch in some key words and do a search, there are multiple solutions that work for your specific problem. I think that you will eventually find the solution. Hopefully others will join in with advice.

KP
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post #5 of 5
8/26/04 at 11:58am

Get a ground loop isolator.

This is a common problem when connecting a laptop to other equipment.

Check out this link:

http://musicxp.proboards27.com/index...num=1088431832

It is has everything you can possible want to know about the subject.

I had the same problem as well, and received some great advice on this board from Olyteddy. Olyteddy suggested a $17 groundloop isolator from RadioShack. http://www.radioshack.com/product.as...5Fid=270%2D054

This item is great, but I needed 1/4" I/O and wanted something that could handle Balanced as well as unbalanced cables.

So, I got this. http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/Hum/

Yep, $60 is alot more money, but it better suited my needs.

By the way, don't take the easy way out and bypass the ground on your laptop's power supply. You'll either fry your equipment or yourself.

Hope this helps,

GH
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