Constant Clicking Noise from Speakers

I have Dell 5.1 surround sound speakers that used to work 100% fine and now they are making a constant clicking/tapping noise when the speaker volume is turned on. They even make the clicking sound when the computer is shut off, no fans are running, etc. Guessing it's a power issue of some sort.

I think it's really strange that the problem continues even when the computer isn't turned on. Any idea what might be causing this? Could the sound drivers be pushing too much electrical current to them?

Thanks!
Todd.

How o;d is this machine. It appears to me at first guess your Hard drive is going to die. I would immediately back up anything valuable. Then run the hard drive manufacturers Disk utility.

Thanks. I just went ahead and backed up everything on the hard drive.

The machine is about 5 years old. (Dimension 8300) Would the hard drive still be the problem even if the speakers are still making the noise when the PC is shutdown (ie- hard drives are not spinning)?

Could it be a power supply unit issue or maybe wires touching inside the case?

Thanks,
Todd.

Well that sounds more like a grounding issue or interference. Not really an area I know a lot about. But if it's powered down and making the sound that's odd. How about unplugging the PC from the outlet so there is no current at all to the unit.

Great idea. So I unplugged the PC and the speakers were still clicking away. I also tried plugging the amp/speakers into another outlet (thinking maybe the surge protector was bad) and it still was making noise.

So, it appears to be solely an amp/speaker issue. You're right, sounds like a grounding/interference issue. Any thoughts on how to test for this? Maybe the amp is fried?

Thanks,
Todd.

Try plugging the speakers straight into the wall without using a surge suppressor.
If the problem goes away maybe something on your surge supressor is causing interference.

What other electrical components are close to the speakers or on the same circuit?

Got it, thanks! It was the wireless modem that was causing interference. The 2Wire wireless modem was about 2-3 feet away from the subwoofer/amp and was picking up the interference, then carrying it through to all the speakers. I moved the modem further away and the noise stopped.

Thanks again for the help and the quick replies!

Thanks,
Todd.

You're welcome from all of us!!