I live in a basement apartment, and have both my stereo and laptop in the living room (plugged into different outlets) A few months ago, the power cord went on my laptop so I purchased a new one. Ever since then I have had on and off interference issues when the cord is plugged in. Sometimes it seems to have no impact, other times some stations come in a bit weaker, and at times some stations become completely unlistenable. I know its due to the cord, because as soon as I unplug it everything is back to normal. Any idea what I can do in order to rectify the problem?
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Laptop Power Cord Interference Question
- Thread starter SmashTim
- Start date
You may want to get a 3 prong to 2-prong adapter and run the computer without the ground lead connected.
I have had this exact situation and the only solution was running it ungrounded.
I probably have a poor connection back to ground on that section of conduit, causing the conduit to radiate the noise.
I have had this exact situation and the only solution was running it ungrounded.
I probably have a poor connection back to ground on that section of conduit, causing the conduit to radiate the noise.
D
Darth_vader
Guest
NO!!!!! This is often one of the first things I ask when doing a tech consult for a new person: "are you using a two-prong or three-prong outlet?"
You should NEVER, EVER, EVVVVVERRRR run any computer ungrounded when that computer has a hot/return/neutral power supply! This certainly includes many, if not most, desktop computers using a three-pole teakettle plug. A static charge could build up in components in the case and burn out your system. (I once fried a '486 this way years ago, when I was still young and stupid, in a house that still had (and still does have) knob & tube wiring.)
Also, many PCs use the ground for timing, and if that's not available your data could be corrupted. If you touch the metal in your computer chassis, assuming there's exposed metal on its chassis (reach around back) and feel electrical shocks in your hand, you've got a ground problem or, in this case, no ground connection at all.
However, some laptops use (hopefully polarised) two-prong power cords--my two Toshibas are like this--so you needn't worry in that regard.
If you do try running your machine ungrounded and find it does somehow improve your reception, more power to you. But please, consider yourself warned!!
You should NEVER, EVER, EVVVVVERRRR run any computer ungrounded when that computer has a hot/return/neutral power supply! This certainly includes many, if not most, desktop computers using a three-pole teakettle plug. A static charge could build up in components in the case and burn out your system. (I once fried a '486 this way years ago, when I was still young and stupid, in a house that still had (and still does have) knob & tube wiring.)
Also, many PCs use the ground for timing, and if that's not available your data could be corrupted. If you touch the metal in your computer chassis, assuming there's exposed metal on its chassis (reach around back) and feel electrical shocks in your hand, you've got a ground problem or, in this case, no ground connection at all.
However, some laptops use (hopefully polarised) two-prong power cords--my two Toshibas are like this--so you needn't worry in that regard.
If you do try running your machine ungrounded and find it does somehow improve your reception, more power to you. But please, consider yourself warned!!
K
kenglish
Guest
Did the original cord have a big "lump" in it.....a ferrite core, probably covered in heat-shrink?
That is used to absorb any interference that is crawling back down the cord and being re-radiated.
You could try a couple of ferrites from Radio Shack on the cord. I'm not sure what frequency band they cover (still waiting for delivery of an analyzer, so I can do some tests)....different formulations of ferrite material absorb different frequency bands. You can also order some that are specific to the lower (AM BCB and shortwave/HF Bands) from many Ham Radio suppliers.
Many laptops use what is called a "Switch-Mode" (works at most voltages, without changing any settings) power supply, which operates at about 48 KHz or so, and usually gives off lots of harmonic energy. So, you may get a clean signal at one spot on the dial, and get clobbered at another. The ferrites can help.
That is used to absorb any interference that is crawling back down the cord and being re-radiated.
You could try a couple of ferrites from Radio Shack on the cord. I'm not sure what frequency band they cover (still waiting for delivery of an analyzer, so I can do some tests)....different formulations of ferrite material absorb different frequency bands. You can also order some that are specific to the lower (AM BCB and shortwave/HF Bands) from many Ham Radio suppliers.
Many laptops use what is called a "Switch-Mode" (works at most voltages, without changing any settings) power supply, which operates at about 48 KHz or so, and usually gives off lots of harmonic energy. So, you may get a clean signal at one spot on the dial, and get clobbered at another. The ferrites can help.
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