Laptop Picking Up Radio Station

Girlfriend just got a new laptop (entry level Dell Inspiron) and it seems to be picking up a local radio station. This happens regardless of whether it is plugged in to the wall or not, and no other devices are connected.

It's really noticeable when using headphones, but you can still sometimes hear it through the laptop speakers (even when nothing else is connected).

I have used several other laptops in the same house, connected to the same power outlets (or just on battery), and none of the other laptops have this problem.

Is there anything that can be done about this? Since it's a laptop and everything is internal, I'm kind of stumped. Maybe it's just an irritating quirk of this laptop, but figured I'd see if anyone has any ideas of what to try.

What the heck? Even if shielding was completely absent I wouldn't think this possible. Sounds like the station might be boosting its signal more than is legal.

There's a radio tower fairly close by, but it's weird that this laptop is the only one that's ever picked up a signal

Take it back and test a replacement before taking it home.
Could be a one off problem but its worth finding out first.

Nenu said:

Take it back and test a replacement before taking it home.
Could be a one off problem but its worth finding out first.

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Only works if the existing one picks up the station wherever he bought it

Definitely a good idea to swap it out though. A problem that severe can have all sorts of lovely consequences electrically.

It may not be an electrical "problem". I think it is the speaker equipment itself. My guess is an identical laptop would have the same issue as it relates to the speakers and the frequency/nearness of the radio station. This apparently isn't uncommon. Picking up radio station signal through my speakers

As long as the station is within their normal limits for broadcasting frequency and wattage etc, other devices have to accept the interference. That's the notice on all of the equipment we buy that "1) This device may not cause harmful interference. 2) This device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation."

I had an issue with my unpowered satellite speakers where they would pick up scanner and CB interference from passing cars/trucks. Sounded like something out of poltergeist and scared the bejeebuz out of me before I learned this wasn't uncommon.

I don't think there's any way to stop it unless you did some serious shielding of the speakers somehow. Would take the laptop back.