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A very difficult microphone buzzing issue

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Docjon

Weaksauce
Joined
Sep 18, 2011
Messages
100
A couple days ago, as I often do, I got into TeamSpeak 3 and talked with my clan-mates. I sound fine, they sound fine. After awhile, I load up Bad Company 2, and they tell me they now hear a buzzing, electrical-interference-type sound in addition to my voice. They still sound fine to me. According to them, it got worse and was really bothersome, then at other times it was less bothersome. It's been described as "bees", or "a vibrator". They had a lot of fun with the last description. Since then, I've verified that other games also cause this issue.

I fiddled with different settings in Windows and in TS3, but nothing helped. I rebooted, no luck. I deleted my sound drivers, went to my motherboard site and got the latest audio drivers (it turns out I was already using the latest drivers), rebooted and reinstalled. No luck. I tried a different set of headphones/mic. Didn't help.

One day it worked fine, the next, it didn't. I didn't unplug anything, I didn't move wires (I DID check the plugs and wires AFTER the problem occurred.) I didn't install any other new software or hardware. The only thing I can think of that's different between when my mic worked and when it didn't is that Windows automatically updated. As a test, I restored my system to a time earlier than the Windows updates. It did not solve the problem either.

My system:
Windows 7 Pro - 64-bit
i5-2500k (about a month old)
4 gigs RAM (about a month old)
I'm using on-board sound: Gigabyte GA-Z68P-DS3 (with Realtek ALC889) (about a month old)
GTS 250 video card (about 4 years old)
KINGWIN ABT-450MM 450W (about 3 years old)
Logitech h150 headset/mic (not usb-style, but the 3.5mm plugs)

You'll notice some new hardware above, but I hadn't had this problem during a couple weeks of using it, then suddenly I did.

My internet connection is the best I've ever had in terms of reliability and speed. I consistently get 10 up/10 down. Has been checked while problems were being experienced, and other than the game and TS, nothing was using the bandwidth on my computer, and there are no other computers on the network.

So, to sum up: 2 sets of headphones/mics (different brands, both using 3.5 mm plugs) checked, audio drivers removed and latest audio drivers reinstalled, system restore done. Nothing helped. No new electrical devices have been plugged in anywhere in the house in the time between when it worked and when it didn't, if anyone was wondering for possible interference/grounding issues.

The only thing I can think of is that some piece of hardware is going, but which? Is it the graphics card? Is it the power supply? Did I get a bad motherboard? Maybe something is being taxed by going into a game, as the buzzing problem does not occur outside games.

I'd greatly appreciate any help.
 
In the past I have personally experienced buzzing noises in front panel jacks when I have had

1) a failing power supply. The power supply runs my system fine or so it seems and then a few months later it eventually goes out. Buzzing is usually a sign that it is going out or "about to blow."

2) buzzing in my front panel jacks. I have rechecked cables running to either onboard audio or dedicated sound card. Make sure you dont have your front panel audio cables wrapped around a number of power cables going to your video cards. It may seem convenient to bundle cables for cleanliness or looks, but you can sometimes pick up interference from having those wrapped together.
 
Thank you for the reply. The power supply is my #1 suspect, but I don't have a spare to test the theory. After buying the new CPU/mobo/RAM (and with Christmas fast approaching :eek: ), I don't have a lot of cash to spare, so I want to be fairly sure before I put out the cash for a new PS. If I'm wrong, I'll have spent the last of my disposable income for awhile, so I need to get it right.

Oh, and I don't have any front-panel jacks, just the back ones for the on-board audio. I tried to be thorough with my description, but it seems like you always miss something.

It's a fairly small PS, 3 years old, I just increased my power needs with the new CPU, and I suppose it's not the best PS brand out there either. All of these things point to a stressed PS.

Barring any new ideas, I suppose I'll be looking for a sale on good power supplies.
 
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