Solved Weird sounds

[AllanP]

Sorry I goofed and posted this on Windows 8 news

Recently on my Dell Studio 1747 laptop I've been getting what seems like radio station audio coming through at random times. Some times it's just a split second blurb. Other time it goes on for about thirty seconds. It's never the same. Last time was two voices competing at the start then down to one voice. I can't remember what was said. It seemed like a commercial of some sort.
I use Acronis True Image and restored a previous image thinking that would solve it. Well it booted up and within seconds the unwanted communication.
I have run Malwarebytes Pro. I have run a scan with Windows Defender.
I have opened up Task manager and tried to identify what may be the culprit without success.
I'm now thinking, as Windows 8 and 8.1 have been on for some time; maybe it's time to re-install.

 

[jds63]

Sounds like RFI interference (Radio Frequency Interference)

When on battery or plugged in ? Plugged in use good surge protector.

There is some RFI signal that is being introduced. Whether its through the mains to the Laptop or the router, or cabling.

Any external speakers hooked up ?

This using WiFi ?
This happen with web pages open only ?

 

[AllanP]

It's plugged in all the time. It's a feature with Dell that I like. It can be plugged in and not charge. The unwanted audio has happened just after boot up with nothing open other than startup programs. No external speakers are hooked up.
I wouldn't say it is a quality surge protector; just the standard $20 - $30.00 model.
Thanks for the reply and maybe that's what it is; rogue RFI.

 

[jds63]

Well since it is plugged in this could be one of issues, surge protector, some are better then others at blocking this.

As said since most internet is on all the time,still could be getting in through the router or any of the cables.
Again quality of cables can make differences too. Make sure not any loose or bad connections from the router to the cable feeding the signal to it. I was not sure if you are using WiFi also. Check Ethernet cable if using that or try that instead of WiFi. Try different ethernet cable if using one and have a spare.

Even read i believe something in house electric could do this, try also different location in house. Could you be close to a local stations broadcast ? Chances may not be coming in from router, could be from electric as said or a laptop component.

 

[AllanP]

Well since it is plugged in this could be one of issues, surge protector, some are better then others at blocking this.

As said since most internet is on all the time,still could be getting in through the router or any of the cables.
Again quality of cables can make differences too. Make sure not any loose or bad connections from the router to the cable feeding the signal to it. I was not sure if you are using WiFi also. Check Ethernet cable if using that or try that instead of WiFi. Try different ethernet cable if using one and have a spare.

Even read i believe something in house electric could do this, try also different location in house. Could you be close to a local stations broadcast ? Chances may not be coming in from router, could be from electric as said or a laptop component.

AS I said plugged in, but forgot to add on wifi (good router ASUS RT-AC66U). I've had the surge protector for a long time; maybe time to replace. We live in the sticks far away from any technological interference, other than our cable, telephone and wiring. This all started in the last few days. I've been using the laptop in this same place for almost five years without a hitch.
Initially I was concerned I'd been hacked into; but after what I've done with restoring, scanning and with your help I'm now feeling a bit more at ease.

 

[CountMike]

I had an ordinary electric heater play music from local radio station.

 

[AllanP]

I had an ordinary electric heater play music from local radio station.

Hahahaah Well maybe I should mark it solved; sort of. Thanks for all your help.


1145: Edit. I was just using my PC (Linux OS) at the other end of the house about 35ft away from laptop. This is the first time I've had it happen there and it was a long interference; maybe over a minute. I wonder; is there a tool out there to detect radio waves?

 

[jds63]

I had an ordinary electric heater play music from local radio station.

So getting warmth and music at same time, that is even weirder, how does a electric heater pick up RFI ?

 

[jds63]

I had an ordinary electric heater play music from local radio station.

Hahahaah Well maybe I should mark it solved; sort of. Thanks for all your help.


1145: Edit. I was just using my PC (Linux OS) at the other end of the house about 35ft away from laptop. This is the first time I've had it happen there and it was a long interference; maybe over a minute. I wonder; is there a tool out there to detect radio waves?

Your Welcome,
Well if not somehow getting into the WiFi ,could be getting in from house wiring. Possibly might want to check that out, know any electricians ? Broken, bad, loose or frayed wires somewhere in electric or router cables. Any WiFi extenders ?
We know you live in sticks, anybody close by has some kind of FM antenna or CB Radio antenna. CB radio use to interfere with my TV years ago, found out my neighbor had his antenna out his window close by, use to hear it on my TV. Filters for this.

 

[CountMike]

I had an ordinary electric heater play music from local radio station.

So getting warmth and music at same time, that is even weirder, how does a electric heater pick up RFI ?

It was many years ago (in the '50s), we had this heater made of hemispheric metal dish with spiral wire heating element in the center looking like a small satellite dish and when you turned it in right direction it would faintly play radio Sarajevo (where I lived at the time). I was in grade 4 at the time and active in local children radio club. Took it there and teacher was trying to explain that but only years later I found out what wave harmonics can do. Sympathetic wave resonance and frequency dividing is all I could come up with.

 

[jds63]

I had an ordinary electric heater play music from local radio station.

So getting warmth and music at same time, that is even weirder, how does a electric heater pick up RFI ?

It was many years ago (in the '50s), we had this heater made of hemispheric metal dish with spiral wire heating element in the center looking like a small satellite dish and when you turned it in right direction it would faintly play radio Sarajevo (where I lived at the time). I was in grade 4 at the time and active in local children radio club. Took it there and teacher was trying to explain that but only years later I found out what wave harmonics can do. Sympathetic wave resonance and frequency dividing is all I could come up with.

Well let's see what happens for this member with there issue. Do not know about that stuff you mentioned, but was a service tech for many years with CableTV so i know bit about RF. Something, way a device like that in 50's made an antenna being it was a heater, but was electrical.

 

[AllanP]

Well since it is plugged in this could be one of issues, surge protector, some are better then others at blocking this.

As said since most internet is on all the time,still could be getting in through the router or any of the cables.
Again quality of cables can make differences too. Make sure not any loose or bad connections from the router to the cable feeding the signal to it. I was not sure if you are using WiFi also. Check Ethernet cable if using that or try that instead of WiFi. Try different ethernet cable if using one and have a spare.

Even read i believe something in house electric could do this, try also different location in house. Could you be close to a local stations broadcast ? Chances may not be coming in from router, could be from electric as said or a laptop component.

Just this morning I had my laptop booted with Linux and it happened (a long one). During this interference I unplugged the laptop power connection and it continued; so I guess I can rule out house current.

 

[jds63]

Well since it is plugged in this could be one of issues, surge protector, some are better then others at blocking this.

As said since most internet is on all the time,still could be getting in through the router or any of the cables.
Again quality of cables can make differences too. Make sure not any loose or bad connections from the router to the cable feeding the signal to it. I was not sure if you are using WiFi also. Check Ethernet cable if using that or try that instead of WiFi. Try different ethernet cable if using one and have a spare.

Even read i believe something in house electric could do this, try also different location in house. Could you be close to a local stations broadcast ? Chances may not be coming in from router, could be from electric as said or a laptop component.

Just this morning I had my laptop booted with Linux and it happened (a long one). During this interference I unplugged the laptop power connection and it continued; so I guess I can rule out house current.

O.k., what about router and it's cables, try direct hookup with ethernet, since told me it's WiFi and happens on other PC in house.
Wire from router from the incoming service into house, also asked about if there were any WiFi extenders in use in house.
Also try not use internet service, disable it for a period just to rule this out. Any other adapters connecting to these systems ?

 

[MCPlayer18]

It may be a virus. Windows defender doesn't detect viruses, it just is an Anti-spyware. Malware bytes is an anti-MALWARE. Not an anti-VIRUS. Don't try MSE either, MSE doesn't detect hidden viruses. I recommend installing AVG Free for a quick scan. I have Malwarebytes Premium and AVG Free. They don't conflict, since Antiviruses don't detect malware and Antimalwares don't detect viruses.
Still confused why I said this? Well
Viruses are different from malware. Viruses try to steal info like passwords and bank account info and track you and let hackers in, etc. While malware (Example: CryptoLocker) is mostly about money. It basically encrypts all your data and makes you pay a fee to get it back or it deletes it. It usually targets large businesses like Corporations of Factories or grocery markets like Target and Walmart. Sometimes, Malware lies and actually gives you a fake key after you buy it (Usually around 300$) And after you enter it, it claims you have entered an invalid code and deletes your stuff. Ultimately destroying your stuff.

 

[AllanP]

Well since it is plugged in this could be one of issues, surge protector, some are better then others at blocking this.

As said since most internet is on all the time,still could be getting in through the router or any of the cables.
Again quality of cables can make differences too. Make sure not any loose or bad connections from the router to the cable feeding the signal to it. I was not sure if you are using WiFi also. Check Ethernet cable if using that or try that instead of WiFi. Try different ethernet cable if using one and have a spare.

Even read i believe something in house electric could do this, try also different location in house. Could you be close to a local stations broadcast ? Chances may not be coming in from router, could be from electric as said or a laptop component.

Just this morning I had my laptop booted with Linux and it happened (a long one). During this interference I unplugged the laptop power connection and it continued; so I guess I can rule out house current.

O.k., what about router and it's cables, try direct hookup with ethernet, since told me it's WiFi and happens on other PC in house.
Wire from router from the incoming service into house, also asked about if there were any WiFi extenders in use in house.
Also try not use internet service, disable it for a period just to rule this out. Any other adapters connecting to these systems ?

It would be awkward to connect laptop to ethernet, but PC is connected via ethernet and it happens there.
I've just changed Channel bandwidth and Control channel on the router and waiting to see if the RFI continues with new settings; so far so good.
Failing that I'll try like you say and disconnect from internet, plus check wiring again. Thanks

 

[AllanP]

It may be a virus. Windows defender doesn't detect viruses, it just is an Anti-spyware. Malware bytes is an anti-MALWARE. Not an anti-VIRUS. Don't try MSE either, MSE doesn't detect hidden viruses. I recommend installing AVG Free for a quick scan. I have Malwarebytes Premium and AVG Free. They don't conflict, since Antiviruses don't detect malware and Antimalwares don't detect viruses.
Still confused why I said this? Well
Viruses are different from malware. Viruses try to steal info like passwords and bank account info and track you and let hackers in, etc. While malware (Example: CryptoLocker) is mostly about money. It basically encrypts all your data and makes you pay a fee to get it back or it deletes it. It usually targets large businesses like Corporations of Factories or grocery markets like Target and Walmart. Sometimes, Malware lies and actually gives you a fake key after you buy it (Usually around 300$) And after you enter it, it claims you have entered an invalid code and deletes your stuff. Ultimately destroying your stuff.

Don't think so as interference has happened on PC (ethernet) Linux and Windows. Laptop on LInux and Windows.

 

[jds63]

Yes, can't say for sure myself that this is related to malware or any kind. Since out in sticks, only thought somebody might have some kind of antenna getting into wiring within your providers wires or connections, how it usually happens, bad connector or wire.
Either ingress or from egress. Perfect example what i mean What is Ingress? Cable Modems and Wiring Issues | DSLReports, ISP Information

 

[AllanP]

I sure can't complain about my wifi speeds. I am paying for 25mb/s and getting 26+ on my laptop (35ft from router). So signal strength certainly isn't an issue. Still no interference since changing router settings.

1935 edit: Arrggggh got a 2 second blurb.

 

[jds63]

I sure can't complain about my wifi speeds. I am paying for 25mb/s and getting 26+ on my laptop (35ft from router). So signal strength certainly isn't an issue. Still no interference since changing router settings.

1935 edit: Arrggggh got a 2 second blurb.

Link i posted can be possible, think should try contacting your service provider, let them know of interference issues.
Check all connection to the router, even any splits in line, wherever they are inside or outside on side of house.

 

[AllanP]

I did that last night and I have their modem/router bridged to my router; so the tech wanted me to disconnect my router and go back to theirs for a few hours. I should have I guess, but it meant losing my unblockus Netflix and going through connecting to tech support again (just laziness on my part), but I just can't see how it's my router as it's been working perfectly since I got it about six months ago. I'll try your suggestion and disconnect from internet. Other than that one blurb it's been quiet.
I was thinking about the PC and even though it's plugged in it's still wifi'd as it connects to printer through wifi; so rogue air waves could still be the problem.