Hatrack River Forum: *exhausted and virtually crippled* What... is... my... computer... doing?!?

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Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :

Okay, I'll cut to the chase:

My computer monitor is playing Spanish music and I can't get it to stop.

This problem has been persisting for months, but it has previously been ignorable because it was so quiet that other computer sounds (eg video game music) muffled it. Now the computer has inexplicably decided that it will henceforth play all my video game sounds very quietly. Now I have to turn up the volume on my computer to hear anything, and if I hear anything, you'll bet it's some Mexican radio channel.

What is going on?!? I checked everything I can think of, but the only evidence that my computer is playing Spanish music is the fact that is IS playing Spanish music. It seems to only play on the Dell monitor, but when I unplug the audio cable to the monitor, the music stops (although this is not a solution as it also turns off every other sound).

Then again, there is another source of sound from my computer that I can't locate. I get a very quiet sound from here, so that Star Wars Battle of the Heroes music sounds like a whisper.

This just doesn't make any sense; how can I liberate my computer work and gaming from the clutches of omnipresent persistent Spanish music? [Angst]

Posted by Blayne Bradley (Member # 8565) on :

Your first problem is that it is a Dell.

Your second problem is that why are you using a monitor to play sound when you should be using a 5 speaker system with a sub woofer shame on you!

Thirdly, why the heck does a monitor play random spanish music?

Posted by C3PO the Dragon Slayer (Member # 10416) on :

First problem isn't my fault. I hate Dell too, but I am "borrowing" this monitor, so to speak.

The second problem is because I already have the TV hooked to the 5-speaker-subwoofer system.

Thirdly: THAT IS EXACTLY MY QUESTION!!!

EDIT: What I mean by "borrowing" is that I didn't pick out the computer. If I did it would have been a Mac, but if it were a PC it most certainly would not have been a Dell. I do not own the computer, though I am the only one who uses it for work. It is generally shared through the family.

Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :

What happens when you use the volume control on the monitor rather than the software volume control?

What sound card are you using?

Posted by Pegasus (Member # 10464) on :

It not not unheard of for computers to pick up radio signals and the sounds be played through the speakers. It happens quite regular with this one computer I use at work, although I can't adjust the volume at all, I can turn the speakers off. Also my workplace is very close to the broadcasting antenna for that station.

I don't know what the solution is, and your issue sounds even more involved.

Posted by Tara (Member # 10030) on :

Ditto to what Pegasus said. I've heard of that happening too.

Posted by NotMe (Member # 10470) on :

Try swapping out the sound cable for one of a different length. If that fails, try for a warranty replacement or an exorcism.

Posted by foundling (Member # 6348) on :

I think aluminum foil wrapped around the outside of your monitor would work quite well to block unwanted radio signals. It's kept my head safe from the Latino aliens for years.

Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :

Most Dells include a wimpy onboard speaker. This is probably what you're hearing when you disconnect audio from your monitor. It is ALSO possible that your monitor is, for whatever reason, picking up radio signals and playing them out the built-in speaker.

Posted by Saephon (Member # 9623) on :

I for one think you're picking up radio signals. I distinctly remember one night when I faintly heard what sounded like conversation/arguing in Chinese. After about ten minutes, I got annoyed and turned off all my electronics one by one, and realized it was coming from my guitar amp o_O

As I turned up the amplifier's volume, the conversation's volume increased as well, so I knew I wasn't crazy...or maybe I was? [Blushing]