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    6809 Firewire Audio Problem

    Discussion in 'eMachines' started by Ashe Knoll, Jul 16, 2004.

  1. Ashe Knoll

    Ashe Knoll Newbie

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    I've had my M6809 for about two months now and have been experiencing all of the same problems you guys are [800Mhz on battery, two cracked hinges after one month usage] but I have recently come across a new flaw that just blows my mind. Wondering if anyone else is experiencing this. I use my notebook mostly for Pro Audio [audio production, mixing, etc.] so I use an MAudio Firewire 410 audio interface with it. This interface works fine with my desktop setup, and with many other laptops that I've tested [Toshiba, Sony Vaio], but when I plug it into the 6809 and plug the output to speakers or an amplifier, I get the most horrible digital / AC noise I have ever heard. I've tested this up and down to make sure it's not a grounding issue or a problem with my amp or wiring. I tested this with different amps, different audio interfaces [MOTU Firewire 828] and different laptops mentioned above. It comes down to one simple fact... when plugged into the AC adaptor, the 6809 makes this horrid noise through the Firewire Bus and into my amp... when you unplug the AC and run off battery, it's clean. I also tested this with my friend's 6805 and the same phenomenon occurs, so this is not just my firewire card or AC adaptor going bad. This is blowing my mind. I contacted eMachines about this problem and spent 50 minutes on the phone with a tech rep who would only say they will not support third party hardware... but wouldn't you say that when their computer produces that sound through any firewire audio interface I can find, that it's a little more than just a compatibility issue? I finally got the rep to admit that the problem probably lies in the AC converter card in the notebook, but they were unwilling to do anything about it except RMA the machine and check to make sure everything worked the way it left the factory. So, guess what I want to know is, anybody else have a problem like this? I know this exists for at least two notebooks... one 6809 and one 6805. If it's just these two, great, i'll return it and get a new one... but if not, WOW, what an enormously major hardware flaw. Please reply!
     
  2. raduma

    raduma Newbie

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    Whether or not it's plugged into the AC adapter shouldn't make a difference. Firewire connections are digital, and in theory shouldn't be affected by the electric fluctuations caused by any alternatic powersource. Especially since after the powerbrick the current going into the latop is DC. If there is interference strong enough I'd the port to simply not be usable (among with many other things), and not have extra static noise. Does the noise occur when the laptop is running on batteries?
     
  3. Ashe Knoll

    Ashe Knoll Newbie

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    No, the problem doesn't occur when the laptop runs on batteries. I think I have found a temp but not exactly safe fix for my problem. It seems to be a ground loop that is perpetuated somewhere within the system, so if I ground lift the AC brick, the noise goes away. Dunno if this is the safest thing to do in a live environment, though. Might try balanced audio cables and see if that does it too.
     
  4. Ultimatetone.com

    Ultimatetone.com Newbie

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    WOW!

    I had been initially thinking about getting an eMachines M6809
    ...and now a M6811.

    I also planned to use a M-Audio Firewire 410 interface as well!

    I immediately thought 'ground loop issue' too,
    when I read your other post located here - http://notebookforums.com/showthread.php?p=345726

    At this point in time, I may have to keep researching other options.

    I am lookin for (ideally, of course) the following attributes:

    - AMD Athlon 64 3200 or better
    - 15 inch WXGA Screen (at least)
    - ATI 9600 (9700 is fine too, I'm not a gamer, so...)
    - 512 MB RAM
    - DVD-R/RW/+R/RW CD-R/RW Drive
    - True USB 2.0 and Firewire ports (audio hardware friendly, of course)
    - PCMCIA Card slot
    - Built-in 802.11 G Wireless (nice)
    - Built-in Bluetooth (would be nice, but...)
    - Price tag under $1600.00

    I am open to suggestions.

    Good thing we have forum's like this one to help potential buyers
    'suss-out' the quirks and support issues we may encounter.


    Ultimatetone