Hi guys.
I've been struggling for two weeks now with the weirdest problem with the laptop I use on stage to play my backtracks through.
Its a really sturdy old-school HP notebook (circa 2004), and I've used it onstage off and on since then. Since 2007 almost weekly, so it it's a work-horse and mega reliable. Would hate to lose it.
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11599_na/11599_na.html
I run XP (SP2), and use the machine only for stage. No internet or business apps. Play midi through Cakewalk / Sonar and mp3s through Itunes.
About two weeks ago, the laptop slipped as I took it out off the travel bag and sort of nudged the desk-top. I cushioned most of the blow, and it couldn't be described as a fall in the true sense. But still, my first thought was whoa - did it damage? When I connected it to my PA, I heard the weirdest thing. It can best be described as a whooshing, crunching sound - almost as if the working parts inside the laptop are being amplified (drive noise, creaking sounds, etc). Its really annoying. One can't hear it if a track is being played, but during a quiet intro or fade out - and obviously between tracks - its VERY noticeable (especially at gig volume). Muting that channel between every track is a major inconvenience and obviously disrupts the flow of performance.
Anybody have any idea? A very reputable laptop tech-type (recommended by two computer shops in my area) telephonically advised that the laptop may have gone "microphonic". I googled this (usually also mentioned in relation to amps), and it seemed plausible. Took it to the tech, who serviced machine and confirmed that she could find no fault whatsoever on the audio components and output. Cost me a whack of money and still the noise is there. >
I did all the standard diagnostics first. Changed laptop lead to another channel on mixer. Ditto. Changed the cable connecting laptop to mixer (same channel). Ditto. Used a different laptop with same and different cable to same and alternative channels on mixer - NO NOISE! So I appear to have eliminated the cable, mixer channel and mixer settings as potential causes. Also checked the obvious stuff - battery and disc drives not loose, etc.
Anybody have any ideas? I'm already a few hundred down and wary of walking up to the next guy who'll charge me the same amount and the problem may still persist. I even did a system restore to an earlier time to eliminate any possible software conflicts, etc (pretty pointless as nothing was loaded, but none the less!).
Any ideas about specific angles I may follow up, rather than just blindly asking someone new to look at it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
I've been struggling for two weeks now with the weirdest problem with the laptop I use on stage to play my backtracks through.
Its a really sturdy old-school HP notebook (circa 2004), and I've used it onstage off and on since then. Since 2007 almost weekly, so it it's a work-horse and mega reliable. Would hate to lose it.
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/11599_na/11599_na.html
I run XP (SP2), and use the machine only for stage. No internet or business apps. Play midi through Cakewalk / Sonar and mp3s through Itunes.
About two weeks ago, the laptop slipped as I took it out off the travel bag and sort of nudged the desk-top. I cushioned most of the blow, and it couldn't be described as a fall in the true sense. But still, my first thought was whoa - did it damage? When I connected it to my PA, I heard the weirdest thing. It can best be described as a whooshing, crunching sound - almost as if the working parts inside the laptop are being amplified (drive noise, creaking sounds, etc). Its really annoying. One can't hear it if a track is being played, but during a quiet intro or fade out - and obviously between tracks - its VERY noticeable (especially at gig volume). Muting that channel between every track is a major inconvenience and obviously disrupts the flow of performance.
Anybody have any idea? A very reputable laptop tech-type (recommended by two computer shops in my area) telephonically advised that the laptop may have gone "microphonic". I googled this (usually also mentioned in relation to amps), and it seemed plausible. Took it to the tech, who serviced machine and confirmed that she could find no fault whatsoever on the audio components and output. Cost me a whack of money and still the noise is there. >

I did all the standard diagnostics first. Changed laptop lead to another channel on mixer. Ditto. Changed the cable connecting laptop to mixer (same channel). Ditto. Used a different laptop with same and different cable to same and alternative channels on mixer - NO NOISE! So I appear to have eliminated the cable, mixer channel and mixer settings as potential causes. Also checked the obvious stuff - battery and disc drives not loose, etc.
Anybody have any ideas? I'm already a few hundred down and wary of walking up to the next guy who'll charge me the same amount and the problem may still persist. I even did a system restore to an earlier time to eliminate any possible software conflicts, etc (pretty pointless as nothing was loaded, but none the less!).
Any ideas about specific angles I may follow up, rather than just blindly asking someone new to look at it? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.