Screeching laptop

[Ethel]

If I turn the volume up more than halfway on my laptop there is a dreadful screech which does not stop until the volume is turned back down. It is a sort of feedback noise. This doesn't happen if I am using headphones - I can have the volume right up. It's an Acer Aspire 1680. Any clues as to the cause and the prevention would be most welcome.

[Ethel]

Further investigation shows that if my external mic is plugged in, without headphones, there is no screech regardless of volume.

[figure]

I don't have an answer but you probably might get some ideas to assist with your problem here - http://www.hydrogenaudio.org/forums/index.php? showtopic=59057&st=0&p=530210&#entry530210

[Buenchico]

Hi Ethel,

I've never used a laptop in my life but it sounds as if your computer must have a built-in microphone. It's picking up signals from the speaker which it then feeds back to the speaker where they're picked up by the microphone ... ad infinitum. This is resulting in acoustic feedback. Plugging in the external microphone opens the connection, within the jack socket, which disables the internal mike. So, as long as the external mike is kept away from the speakers, the feedback ceases.

The solution would seem to be to either to disable the internal mike or to reduce its gain. There must settings somewhere within your Control Panel (or for your sound card) which allow you to do this. Unfortunately, since I use Windows ME on a desktop, I'm a little out of my depth at this stage ;-)

Anyway, Merry Christmas and many thanks for all your contributions to AB throughout the year, especially the ones which have corrected my errors ;-)

Chris

[ACtheTROLL]

my money's on Buenchico

the whole sound arrangement of a laptop is ridiculous
but the question is ..... why now?
perhaps something has shifted inside
....... have you got a screw loose? ;-0

[Ethel]

Hurrah! The internal microphone was the cause. I have turned off the boost and the problem is now solved.

Many thanks to you all.

AcTheTroll - my screw is not loose (maybe just slightly) and I suspect this problem has always been there. I have always used a headphone/mic combo with the laptop but have had cause to unplug it on several occasions over the last few days, causing much distress to my ears.

Chris - I'm sure I've NEVER corrected you. Oh! I just did. :) I am your no.1 AB fan, as you know, so long may you keep posting.

Merry Christmas all.