The Gang of Five

Beyond the Mysterious Beyond => Hobbies and Recreation => Computer and Electronics => Topic started by: Petrie. on June 18, 2008, 09:08:43 PM

Title: Maybe Austin can help me here
Post by: Petrie. on June 18, 2008, 09:08:43 PM

I've already talked to Tim about this and he can't help me.

I have an external Creative soundcard for all my audio.  If I just do computer things (listen to music, watch a movie) there's not one issue with the card.  I have issues with it using internet browsers for the internet.  I get a lot of bad static pops on any page with flash animation and some video sites (except youtube oddly enough).  Its really bad when using IE 6 (won't upgrade) and Firefox 2.0 or 3.0.  The problem is not as bad using Opera 9.27

Do you have an idea of what might be the issue?  Is it a different rendering engine?  Firefox is using Gecko, and I've forgotten what Opera is using, but its not the same platform.  I do have a Linksys usb wireless adaptor for my laptop and I can't go wired being nowhere near the modem.  My internal wifi card is even worse so I keep that disabled.

Title: Maybe Austin can help me here
Post by: landbeforetimelover on June 19, 2008, 01:17:03 AM

External radio interference can be a real issue.  Anything from cellular phones, home phones, microwaves, or any sort of wireless signal can be causing a static sound in the speakers/headphones.

Seeing as it works while watching videos or doing other offline activities, I would guess it has to be related to web browsing.  What frequency do the things around you operate on?  Do you have a 5.8ghz wireless phone?  Those have been known to cause really bad static issues with speakers.  Try using a portable web browser to see if that helps.  Try portable safari.  You can download it from my server:

http://67.171.50.184:8081/Restricted%20Upl...lder/Safari.exe (http://67.171.50.184:8081/Restricted%20Upload%20Folder/Safari.exe)

Title: Maybe Austin can help me here
Post by: Petrie. on June 19, 2008, 06:34:53 AM

Portable Firefox gave me the same problem, 2.0 or 3.0 once again.  Portable Opera same as the regular program.  Portable programs don't seem to solve the problem.  The wireless Linksys adaptor is a 2.4 Ghz Wireless G system.  I can't really do much about that.

*downloading Safari since that probably uses a third rendering engine* :p

Title: Maybe Austin can help me here
Post by: Petrie. on June 21, 2008, 10:11:06 AM

I had an old version of Opera USB and it works well. :)  I'll just hold onto 9.27 for a better 9.5x version to come out.

I don't get why this portable version doesn't have the pops and static.  :huh:

Title: Maybe Austin can help me here
Post by: landbeforetimelover on June 21, 2008, 04:36:10 PM

Honestly, ya got me.  I have no clue.  I guess it could be a virus or something routing your default web browser to a port on your computer that causes radio interference or something.  I really don't know.  Your guess is as good as mine.

Title: Maybe Austin can help me here
Post by: Petrie. on June 21, 2008, 08:26:14 PM

Thanks anyway.  The portable version seems to work better so I'll stick with that.  Could be just Creative's stuff too.

Title: Maybe Austin can help me here
Post by: action9000 on June 22, 2008, 06:13:37 AM

Quote

The portable version seems to work better so I'll stick with that.

At least it's better than nothing. B)

Ahh, the joys of technology. :p :lol

Title: Maybe Austin can help me here
Post by: Petrie. on June 22, 2008, 08:40:47 AM

Or technology that fights with one another for the same real estate. :rolleyes: