I've been on several help forums trying to solve this frustrating issue. Hope someone here can help. Here's the story:
I was using a self-built Windows 7 machine for 2 years. Suddenly, about 3 months ago, a specific random sound started occurring (sometimes 3x in a row, other times not for several hours) - I disabled all system sounds and it still continued, even though I didn't notice any USB hardware blips). Two months ago, I bought the new Intel NUC7i7BNH, installed Windows 10, and within a few hours the issue suddenly started all over again.
I've managed to record a few instances of the sound. It is always the same. Here's a link: https://soundcloud.com/finvarra/nuc-sound-2
Over the last months, I have replaced or swapped out literally all my hardware, disabled all Windows power-saving settings, turned off ALL Windows system sounds,disabled wireless and bluetooth on the computer, tested the same configuration on 3 different computers (1 running Win 10, the others Win 7), changed ISPs (and router), eliminated every computer-related fix Google (and several computer advisers) could suggest including testing all USBs and running USBDeview (with no hits), reinstalled Windows - all without any change.
It's definitely coming through the powered speakers (which I have replaced). I get no hardware hiccops. The randomness is what is really frustrating. For instance it was silent all yesterday morning, then 3 times in a half-hour, then nothing until this morning - just once - and then suddenly nearly a dozen times in 10 minutes. There is just no pattern - no particular change in electrical usage - and the sound cannot be controlled or even disabled in Windows. The events viewer never shows anything that corresponds to the sounds.
One hypothesis was that it could be electrical in nature. I tested all the sockets on the circuit (tested fine) and even replaced them. No change. I thought that maybe it could be a firewall issue in my router (notifications???) and disabled it. No change. Someone thought it might be an alert from the router and sent packets to the router to try to replicate the sound. Nothing.
A few weeks ago, based on someone's suggestion, I placed ferrite ring cores on all the plugs and the speaker wire. That seemed to work. However, after 48 hours of blissful silence, the sound returned 3x in 10 minutes.
I ran wirestack and managed to capture several instances of the time when the random sound appeared. However, when I heard the sound (if I'm lucky enough to be at the computer), it took me at least 10 seconds to reopen the program and stop the capture. By then, there can be over 1000 entries - and I was lost w/out more direction. It's like looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack. If the needle is indeed in the haystack...
Yesterday I tried doing a clean boot. No sounds for 18 hours - then suddenly 5-6x in 10 minutes.
Until I wrote this, I disconnected the network and had no issues for several hours.
Where it stands:
Same specific sound. 3 different computers. No software overlap. *Probably* is passing through the network - even though I've changed ISPs, routers, and even type of connection (from DSL to cable). I've observed it happens predominantly in the daytime (90% of the time at least).
To summarize... I'm looking for something that (a) sounds like the above; (b) seems to pass through the network whatever machine I use, (c) is totally independent of anything I may be doing (or not doing anything) at the time; (d) and is completely random.
The NUC itself is running great... and I would just like to figure out WHAT the sound is and WHERE it's coming from and (esp. if it's something outside the house) HOW I can block it.
ANY direction (or out of the box suggestions) would be much appreciated as this issue has been very frustrating. Thanks so much!
I was using a self-built Windows 7 machine for 2 years. Suddenly, about 3 months ago, a specific random sound started occurring (sometimes 3x in a row, other times not for several hours) - I disabled all system sounds and it still continued, even though I didn't notice any USB hardware blips). Two months ago, I bought the new Intel NUC7i7BNH, installed Windows 10, and within a few hours the issue suddenly started all over again.
I've managed to record a few instances of the sound. It is always the same. Here's a link: https://soundcloud.com/finvarra/nuc-sound-2
Over the last months, I have replaced or swapped out literally all my hardware, disabled all Windows power-saving settings, turned off ALL Windows system sounds,disabled wireless and bluetooth on the computer, tested the same configuration on 3 different computers (1 running Win 10, the others Win 7), changed ISPs (and router), eliminated every computer-related fix Google (and several computer advisers) could suggest including testing all USBs and running USBDeview (with no hits), reinstalled Windows - all without any change.
It's definitely coming through the powered speakers (which I have replaced). I get no hardware hiccops. The randomness is what is really frustrating. For instance it was silent all yesterday morning, then 3 times in a half-hour, then nothing until this morning - just once - and then suddenly nearly a dozen times in 10 minutes. There is just no pattern - no particular change in electrical usage - and the sound cannot be controlled or even disabled in Windows. The events viewer never shows anything that corresponds to the sounds.
One hypothesis was that it could be electrical in nature. I tested all the sockets on the circuit (tested fine) and even replaced them. No change. I thought that maybe it could be a firewall issue in my router (notifications???) and disabled it. No change. Someone thought it might be an alert from the router and sent packets to the router to try to replicate the sound. Nothing.
A few weeks ago, based on someone's suggestion, I placed ferrite ring cores on all the plugs and the speaker wire. That seemed to work. However, after 48 hours of blissful silence, the sound returned 3x in 10 minutes.
I ran wirestack and managed to capture several instances of the time when the random sound appeared. However, when I heard the sound (if I'm lucky enough to be at the computer), it took me at least 10 seconds to reopen the program and stop the capture. By then, there can be over 1000 entries - and I was lost w/out more direction. It's like looking for the proverbial needle in the haystack. If the needle is indeed in the haystack...
Yesterday I tried doing a clean boot. No sounds for 18 hours - then suddenly 5-6x in 10 minutes.
Until I wrote this, I disconnected the network and had no issues for several hours.
Where it stands:
Same specific sound. 3 different computers. No software overlap. *Probably* is passing through the network - even though I've changed ISPs, routers, and even type of connection (from DSL to cable). I've observed it happens predominantly in the daytime (90% of the time at least).
To summarize... I'm looking for something that (a) sounds like the above; (b) seems to pass through the network whatever machine I use, (c) is totally independent of anything I may be doing (or not doing anything) at the time; (d) and is completely random.
The NUC itself is running great... and I would just like to figure out WHAT the sound is and WHERE it's coming from and (esp. if it's something outside the house) HOW I can block it.
ANY direction (or out of the box suggestions) would be much appreciated as this issue has been very frustrating. Thanks so much!
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