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#114469 05/16/11 08:34 AM
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Hi guys: I am enjoying my new "Everything Hardrive" except it has an AC hum. Any takers? I've tried moving it but to no avail. Thanks, JZ


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johnnyzell #114470 05/16/11 08:41 AM
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1. The drive has no way I know of to make ac hum. If you've the same drive as the rest of us, it sends a signal via the usb to the line out. Do mp3's or cd's have hum?

2. If you are using a laptop and you run off batteries does it go away? If so it's the laptop, and was a common problem.

Radio Shack used to sell a device to eliminate hum. If it is coming from your setup.


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John Conley #114471 05/16/11 08:45 AM
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Thanks John. No, I pulled the plug on the laptop and the hum is still there. Maybe I'll plug the hardrive into another outlet. Will let you know. Thank you, JZ


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John Conley #114472 05/16/11 08:46 AM
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If you plug in a computer and an external drive to two different outlets, that could generate a ground loop. Try making sure they are plugged into the same outlet (such as a power strip). This also applies to any powered device connected to the computer, including mixers, external sound cards, etc.

And if it's a laptop, try John's second suggestion.


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Matt Finley #114473 05/16/11 08:53 AM
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Ditto the Radio Shack idea. I had a hum between the laptop and the mixer out to speakers. The little hum filter fixed it completely. Seems to me about $15 or so.
Good luck.

BarryKJ #114474 05/16/11 09:00 AM
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OK! Plugged it into an outlet across the room and that cleaned it up a lot. Still a little noise so I will go to Radio Shack for the filter. Thanks all! JZ


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johnnyzell #114475 05/16/11 05:41 PM
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OK, Radio Shack has discontinued the filter! Found out that if they don't sell a certain amount of an item in a month . . . . . it's curtains! I think I will look for one on eBAY. Gosh, the original cost was only $15! Thanks guys . . . . I'll post when I get an answer. JZ


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johnnyzell #114476 05/16/11 06:26 PM
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Wow, I just saw one in our local store the other day. I tried, but can't find it on their site either.


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jford #114477 05/16/11 06:29 PM
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Actually, just went back and looked on line. This is what the folks are talking about:

Ground Loop Filter from Radio Shack

Amazon.com has one too:

Ground Loop Filter from Amazon.com

Both show as being in stock.

Hope that helps.


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jford #114478 05/16/11 06:42 PM
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I have several of the Radio Shack ones and they do work when I get a temporary problem (then I change the wiring to solve the problem). One little interesting thing about the Radio Shack filter: it can actually introduce noise. You have to be careful which end is which, and keep the coil away from any other wires. If you do that, it's great.


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Matt Finley #114479 05/17/11 06:57 AM
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Of course, I can always just put the BIAB hardisc onto my computer drive. If no other answer shows up, that will be an alternative. Thanks all. JZ


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johnnyzell #114480 05/17/11 02:47 PM
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I bought a Hum X,a few years ago,did the trick. Ed

sax80 #114481 05/18/11 06:47 AM
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This kind of Ground Loop hum typically happens between certain laptops when using AC power and having that laptop connected to an external amplification system.

The hard drive should not really be the culprit, although it might be able to create a ground loop under certain circumstances, such as use of the larger Audiophile series drive with AC power. But the USB hard drive cannot create an AC ground loop if hooked up to USB only (no wallwart for power).

I'd like to know your entire signal chain, what is hooked to what and how, in entirety. That may help get to the bottom of things the fastest.

TIP: Set the system up as before and see if you still have the hum. If so, temporarily disconnect the Laptop AC power plug only and see if the hum stops when laptop is running on Battery power. Report the result here.


--Mac

johnnyzell #114482 05/18/11 08:24 AM
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Quote:

Hi guys: I am enjoying my new "Everything Hardrive" except it has an AC hum. Any takers? I've tried moving it but to no avail. Thanks, JZ



You've never said the hum was from the speakers. My first impression was you are hearing the hum that is generated by the spinning drive as a mechanical hum.


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silvertones #114483 05/18/11 11:42 AM
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Yes, tried using battery power only to no avail. I do know it's an AC hum along with some noise. The sound/note is a "B" . . . . typical AC hum note (60 cycle). Will keep trying. Also, don't want to move hardrive around too much. Makes grinding sound! I'll leave it alone. Don't want to make one of the drummers inside . . . . mad at me!! Ha!


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johnnyzell #114484 05/23/11 10:54 AM
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About 2 versions back I had the same problem. Someone on this forum told me to place a simple three wire to two wire plug in between my power outlet thus eliminating the ground wire. I did that and it went away. The plug you can get anywhere for about $2.00, assuming this is the problem.

johnnyzell #114485 05/23/11 07:54 PM
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Quote:

Yes, tried using battery power only to no avail. I do know it's an AC hum along with some noise. The sound/note is a "B" . . . . typical AC hum note (60 cycle). Will keep trying. Also, don't want to move hardrive around too much. Makes grinding sound! I'll leave it alone. Don't want to make one of the drummers inside . . . . mad at me!! Ha!




If your hard drive makes a grinding noise, it's not time to ignore it. You need to replace it before something bad happens. You're gonna end up needing one soon from the sounds of it.

I don't think any hum on battery power is gonna be AC Hum. It's running on DC with the battery. Something else going on if it happens on battery power.


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rharv #114486 05/24/11 04:13 AM
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Are you sure it's the hard drive and not a fan going bad in the computer? Just a thought?


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silvertones #114487 05/24/11 05:08 AM
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Quote:

Quote:

Hi guys: I am enjoying my new "Everything Hardrive" except it has an AC hum. Any takers? I've tried moving it but to no avail. Thanks, JZ



You've never said the hum was from the speakers. My first impression was you are hearing the hum that is generated by the spinning drive as a mechanical hum.



Like I said!


John
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