Audio Output Hum... HELP ME...

[kwikwa]

When I plug a stereo mini plug from my computer's Line Out into an adapter, then into one of my home receive's RCA inputs, I get a hum. It sounds like an electrical/voltage hum problem since it is there even when no music is playing. I have a generic sound card and a Sony home receiver. The cable running between the two is 10 feet long so I thought it might be picking up interference from AC cords in it's path but the hum remains when I move the audio cable away from power cords. The hum is so powerful, I can hear it even when my home receiver is set on a different input, so I ended up unplugging it altogether.

Can anyone give me some advice?

[verve247]

...hmmmm, i have a similar set-up. the only time such a thing would happen is if the cable plugged into the computer was knocked loose. Make sure it's a solid fit and the plug is the right size.

kwikwa, what's the adapter for? is it for connecting RCA (red&white) plugs to line-out plugs.

[kwikwa]

Yes that is what the adapter is for. It has a mini stereo male plug on one end (and I checked that it is the correct size and seems to fit perfectly) and red & white RCA female plugs on the other end.

[jameslee]

If you have the means, try another receiver/amp. Or try plugging it into regular speakers and turning them up to half volume. Can you hear any noticable 'hum'?

[kwikwa]

I don't have another amp to test it with. Also, I cannot hear a hum throught the regular computer speakers.

[Bires]

They're little cylindrical magnets designed to snuff out interference. You be able to get some a Radio Shack pretty cheap. Don't know if it will cure your problem, but it's worth a try. You clamp them to the ends of the cable you want to shield. Your monitor has them...

Just an idea.

[eSDee]

Sounds like you should throw your computer out the window, into the pool then try it again. Also if you have a bigscreen TV anywhere around there, you might want to give it to one of your friends. That should take care of the problem, I reckon. :)

Hey just for $hits and giggles try changing the red/white inputs around.