Ethernet port making a high pitched noise

tez · 4th August 2004, 1:16 AM

Well I finally tracked down what has been giving me the shits over the past couple of days.

The high pitched noise was on and off, and I've concluded that its the ethernet port of the motherboard. The noise is not unbearably loud, but damn annoying when trying to sleep, or using the computer for long periods.

The board in question is a Asus A7N8X-X.

Do you think this would warrant a RMA? Mind you, I have also purchased a Antec Sonata and Whisperrock IV, so the PC is very quiet now apart from this high pitched noise from the ethernet port.

Anarki · 4th August 2004, 1:44 AM

Are you sure it's the ethernet port? It sounds (Well, not literally...) like a part of the voltage regulation circuit is 'singing'.

ir0nhide · 4th August 2004, 1:56 AM

maybe some caps near the port?

Recharge · 4th August 2004, 2:12 AM

maybe not guys, I have a mobo here that does the same, can't hear it until all systems are off and it's quiet, the port stays lit and it sure does give off a sound, I've put my ear right next to it, and doesn't seem to come from any where else

luckily I can't hear it when the three machines are on

tez · 4th August 2004, 10:53 AM

Well Im pretty sure it is. When I unplug the ethernet cable, the noise stops. So its something to do with the ethernet Im guessing.

Either way, if it is the caps or the port, would a RMA be warranted?

Thanks

kooliez · 4th August 2004, 12:41 PM

My Epox EP-8KDA3+ does this same thing, i watch the activity lights on my router, that is near my pc.. and every time the light comes on there is this high pitch relatively quiet squeel... when i remove the cable the squeel stops instantly. If i use a PCI based NIC then there is no noise....

wierd...

tez · 4th August 2004, 5:10 PM

Yep, same. I tried a USb > Ethernet convertor and it was fine. Its just a pain because I got the Sonata and Whisperrock IV to make my system quieter, which it is, but now this noise is shitting me.

I'll try and get it RMA'ed I think

kasi · 4th August 2004, 9:01 PM

I've got an 8KDA3+ too. Is that what that squeal is? I thought it was a fan. It's certainly annoying when I'm trying to sleep. I will put in a NIC tomorrow and see if it stops. Haha you have to laugh, if after all the hoopla about the integrated gigabit ethernet with firewall it turns out to be an annoying noisemaker. I will wait until after I have checked it though until I draw any definite conclusions.

tez · 5th August 2004, 10:29 AM

Hehe seems as though a few of us may have this problem. Its just I havent noticed it until Ive quientened down my system

But my question is, will this warrant a RMA?

kooliez · 5th August 2004, 10:34 AM

i doubt it...

D F · 5th August 2004, 1:01 PM

Its seems like its the magnetics that are marking an idle sqeel. Try setting the port speed to 10Mbits and see if it changes.

Twisted pair ethernet is driven at both ends by an isolation transformer. Although the frequencies that are being sent though the transformer are in the order of 10 - 30 mhz, there could be a fundemantal frequency which is resontating. Its unusual, but like powersupplies which also have magnetics that can make noise its possible. The said magnetics can be incorporated in the jack itself on the motherboard but usually there is a black box which is similar to a double height DIP packege of around 16 pins, filled with resin sitting right next to the jack..

4th August 2004, 1:16 AM	#1
tez Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,938	Ethernet port making a high pitched noise Well I finally tracked down what has been giving me the shits over the past couple of days. The high pitched noise was on and off, and I've concluded that its the ethernet port of the motherboard. The noise is not unbearably loud, but damn annoying when trying to sleep, or using the computer for long periods. The board in question is a Asus A7N8X-X. Do you think this would warrant a RMA? Mind you, I have also purchased a Antec Sonata and Whisperrock IV, so the PC is very quiet now apart from this high pitched noise from the ethernet port.

4th August 2004, 1:44 AM	#2
Anarki Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 2,245	Are you sure it's the ethernet port? It sounds (Well, not literally...) like a part of the voltage regulation circuit is 'singing'. __________________ ______________________ __________________________ ______________________ __________________

4th August 2004, 1:56 AM	#3
ir0nhide Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Adelaide Posts: 1,910	maybe some caps near the port? __________________ gone mobile, yay!! Hot Flashing Group member #1

4th August 2004, 2:12 AM	#4
Recharge Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 2,767	maybe not guys, I have a mobo here that does the same, can't hear it until all systems are off and it's quiet, the port stays lit and it sure does give off a sound, I've put my ear right next to it, and doesn't seem to come from any where else luckily I can't hear it when the three machines are on __________________ belief doesn't make it so. Nor does disbelief. coastal carpet pythons for sale various sizes and ages available.

4th August 2004, 12:41 PM	#6
kooliez Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: N/Side Brisvegas w00t Posts: 1,019	My Epox EP-8KDA3+ does this same thing, i watch the activity lights on my router, that is near my pc.. and every time the light comes on there is this high pitch relatively quiet squeel... when i remove the cable the squeel stops instantly. If i use a PCI based NIC then there is no noise.... wierd... __________________ Sucessful Trades: - Over $5100 worth of successful trades on OCAU THE GEAR Nikon D70s, SB800 Speedlight, Nikkor 18-35mm, Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3~5.6, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D, Sigma 170-500 f/5~f/6.3 APO. A l e x N i c h o l a s P h o t o g r a p h y

4th August 2004, 10:53 AM	#5
tez Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,938	Well Im pretty sure it is. When I unplug the ethernet cable, the noise stops. So its something to do with the ethernet Im guessing. Either way, if it is the caps or the port, would a RMA be warranted? Thanks

4th August 2004, 5:10 PM	#7
tez Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,938	Yep, same. I tried a USb > Ethernet convertor and it was fine. Its just a pain because I got the Sonata and Whisperrock IV to make my system quieter, which it is, but now this noise is shitting me. I'll try and get it RMA'ed I think

4th August 2004, 9:01 PM	#8
kasi Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Central Coast NSW Posts: 1,201	I've got an 8KDA3+ too. Is that what that squeal is? I thought it was a fan. It's certainly annoying when I'm trying to sleep. I will put in a NIC tomorrow and see if it stops. Haha you have to laugh, if after all the hoopla about the integrated gigabit ethernet with firewall it turns out to be an annoying noisemaker. I will wait until after I have checked it though until I draw any definite conclusions. Last edited by kasi; 4th August 2004 at 9:02 PM.

5th August 2004, 10:29 AM	#9
tez Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,938	Hehe seems as though a few of us may have this problem. Its just I havent noticed it until Ive quientened down my system But my question is, will this warrant a RMA?

5th August 2004, 10:34 AM	#10
kooliez Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: N/Side Brisvegas w00t Posts: 1,019	i doubt it... __________________ Sucessful Trades: - Over $5100 worth of successful trades on OCAU THE GEAR Nikon D70s, SB800 Speedlight, Nikkor 18-35mm, Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3~5.6, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D, Sigma 170-500 f/5~f/6.3 APO. A l e x N i c h o l a s P h o t o g r a p h y

5th August 2004, 1:01 PM	#11
D F Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Sydney Posts: 1,308	Its seems like its the magnetics that are marking an idle sqeel. Try setting the port speed to 10Mbits and see if it changes. Twisted pair ethernet is driven at both ends by an isolation transformer. Although the frequencies that are being sent though the transformer are in the order of 10 - 30 mhz, there could be a fundemantal frequency which is resontating. Its unusual, but like powersupplies which also have magnetics that can make noise its possible. The said magnetics can be incorporated in the jack itself on the motherboard but usually there is a black box which is similar to a double height DIP packege of around 16 pins, filled with resin sitting right next to the jack.. Last edited by D F; 5th August 2004 at 1:02 PM.