I was having a problem with my front panel audio port for a long time until yesterday I found a solution. I am sure many of you have that problem.. So here I start.
SYMPTOMS
While listening either through headphones or speakers through the front panel audio, you can hear a whining noise which varies and you can feel the HDD accessing, mouse movements, scrolling etc. The sound might get worse when you access a USB device connected to the front port such as copy files etc.
Here is a video of the problem I was having.
*youtu.be/18i_0eWM1do
THE CAUSE
Some cases from reputed brands like Cooler Master, NZXT, Antec etc have the front panel designed such that the front USB and the front audio share a common ground. Here is an example. Image is reference image. May and will differ in your chassis.
*img.techpowerup.org/130716/2013-07-16 20.41.57.jpg
As you can see there, both the USB and the audio share the same ground. Therefore, the motherboard EMI shielding no more works as the sound card receives noise from USB signals.
THE FIX
Things you will need.
1. Screw drivers
2. Any sharp object(s)
3. Multimeter(you won't need it if you are absolutely confident-You will soon know what I mean)
4. Access to the chassis' front panel PCB
5. Basic circuit understanding skills
6. Last but not the least - PATIENCE.
Step 1 : Get access to the front panel PCB. Remove the plugs from the motherboard headers and work in a good space.
Step 2 : Carefully understand the circuits.
Switch the multimeter to diode or resistance mode. Connect the probes as shown and you will get 0 or continuous beep value meaning they are the same or continuous.
*img.techpowerup.org/130716/2013-07-16 20.41.57 (2).jpg
The exact circuit layout is like this in the PCB I am using for reference
*img.techpowerup.org/130716/2013-07-16 20.41.57 (2)752.jpg
Step 3 : Break the required circuits.
*img.techpowerup.org/130716/2013-07-16 20.41.57 (3).jpg
Take a sharp thing like a flat head screw driver or the multimeter probe and continue scratching the circuit until it breaks.
The result
*img.techpowerup.org/130716/2013-07-16 21.20.06.jpg
You can coat the scratched area with varnish(for the looks)-Optional
Step 4Now connect the PCB again and reassemble everything. Connect headphone or speaker. If you connect speaker, set the amplifier volume to full. Test using USB drives-copy, move etc, do random stuff.
Here's my result. Beware of some loud Linkin Park near the end of the video.
*youtu.be/IdfZ80JG2cg
Enjoy.
SYMPTOMS
While listening either through headphones or speakers through the front panel audio, you can hear a whining noise which varies and you can feel the HDD accessing, mouse movements, scrolling etc. The sound might get worse when you access a USB device connected to the front port such as copy files etc.
Here is a video of the problem I was having.
*youtu.be/18i_0eWM1do
THE CAUSE
Some cases from reputed brands like Cooler Master, NZXT, Antec etc have the front panel designed such that the front USB and the front audio share a common ground. Here is an example. Image is reference image. May and will differ in your chassis.
*img.techpowerup.org/130716/2013-07-16 20.41.57.jpg
As you can see there, both the USB and the audio share the same ground. Therefore, the motherboard EMI shielding no more works as the sound card receives noise from USB signals.
THE FIX
Things you will need.
1. Screw drivers
2. Any sharp object(s)
3. Multimeter(you won't need it if you are absolutely confident-You will soon know what I mean)
4. Access to the chassis' front panel PCB
5. Basic circuit understanding skills
6. Last but not the least - PATIENCE.
Step 1 : Get access to the front panel PCB. Remove the plugs from the motherboard headers and work in a good space.
Step 2 : Carefully understand the circuits.
Switch the multimeter to diode or resistance mode. Connect the probes as shown and you will get 0 or continuous beep value meaning they are the same or continuous.
*img.techpowerup.org/130716/2013-07-16 20.41.57 (2).jpg
The exact circuit layout is like this in the PCB I am using for reference
*img.techpowerup.org/130716/2013-07-16 20.41.57 (2)752.jpg
Step 3 : Break the required circuits.
*img.techpowerup.org/130716/2013-07-16 20.41.57 (3).jpg
Take a sharp thing like a flat head screw driver or the multimeter probe and continue scratching the circuit until it breaks.
The result
*img.techpowerup.org/130716/2013-07-16 21.20.06.jpg
You can coat the scratched area with varnish(for the looks)-Optional
Step 4Now connect the PCB again and reassemble everything. Connect headphone or speaker. If you connect speaker, set the amplifier volume to full. Test using USB drives-copy, move etc, do random stuff.
Here's my result. Beware of some loud Linkin Park near the end of the video.
*youtu.be/IdfZ80JG2cg
Enjoy.
I am facing this problem too Will try the procedure in some days.
