Ahhh! Static and electrical questions. - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

NotEd · 11-23-2001, 05:28 PM

Hey all.
I've just moved into a new apartment that isn't really new. It was built in the 50s and, while the electrical outlets have been upgraded to 3 prong the system is still running off fuses, not circuit breakers.
Since the weather here in the Northeast turned pretty dry I've noticed the following problems with my PC:
Static is everywhere. Whenever I touch anything metal anywhere in the room I hear a pop from my speakers.
Turning off lights also causes a pop.
I am concerned, since right now my PC is how I watch DVDs (I have a nice Pioneer DVL-919, but right now it is plugged into a a crappy 19" set with no stereo to speak of), that I will harm the system. I am also concerned that when I buy a better TV and surround sound system in the next few months that this might damage them too. I am not even sure my equipment is grounding properly with this halfway upgrade they did to the electrical here.
Does anyone have any ideas to reduce the static (besides a humidifier, as I have old magazines and comics that might damage)? Also does anyone know anything about electricial systems and what I might do to make sure that mine is not going to cause a problem? Any info would be useful.
Thanks.

***1138*** · 11-23-2001, 07:09 PM

Maybe a line conditioner to plug your electronics into.

------------------
1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator
Someday, I will be the most powerful Jedi ever.

NotEd · 11-23-2001, 09:12 PM

Well the computer is plugged into a UPS, which conditions the line as well, AFAIK. That's why I am so surprised about the problem. The future home of the entertainment center has nothing, so I'll look into that before I buy too many components.
Any other ideas?

***1138*** · 11-24-2001, 07:54 AM

Hmmm, I'd double check the UPS to make absolutely sure it is line conditioning. I wouldn't call it a UPS if it did, I'd call it a line conditioner.

------------------
1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator
Someday, I will be the most powerful Jedi ever.

[This message has been edited by 1138 (edited 11-23-2001).]

11-23-2001, 05:28 PM	#1 (permalink)
NotEd NotActor Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Spittin' distance from Washington, DC	Ahhh! Static and electrical questions. Hey all. I've just moved into a new apartment that isn't really new. It was built in the 50s and, while the electrical outlets have been upgraded to 3 prong the system is still running off fuses, not circuit breakers. Since the weather here in the Northeast turned pretty dry I've noticed the following problems with my PC: Static is everywhere. Whenever I touch anything metal anywhere in the room I hear a pop from my speakers. Turning off lights also causes a pop. I am concerned, since right now my PC is how I watch DVDs (I have a nice Pioneer DVL-919, but right now it is plugged into a a crappy 19" set with no stereo to speak of), that I will harm the system. I am also concerned that when I buy a better TV and surround sound system in the next few months that this might damage them too. I am not even sure my equipment is grounding properly with this halfway upgrade they did to the electrical here. Does anyone have any ideas to reduce the static (besides a humidifier, as I have old magazines and comics that might damage)? Also does anyone know anything about electricial systems and what I might do to make sure that mine is not going to cause a problem? Any info would be useful. Thanks.

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11-23-2001, 07:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
*1138* Producer/Admin Careful, or I'll ban myself... Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	Maybe a line conditioner to plug your electronics into. ------------------ 1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator Someday, I will be the most powerful Jedi ever.

11-23-2001, 09:12 PM	#3 (permalink)
NotEd NotActor Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Spittin' distance from Washington, DC	Well the computer is plugged into a UPS, which conditions the line as well, AFAIK. That's why I am so surprised about the problem. The future home of the entertainment center has nothing, so I'll look into that before I buy too many components. Any other ideas?

11-24-2001, 07:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
*1138* Producer/Admin Careful, or I'll ban myself... Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Jose, CA	Hmmm, I'd double check the UPS to make absolutely sure it is line conditioning. I wouldn't call it a UPS if it did, I'd call it a line conditioner. ------------------ 1138 - DVD File Forum Greeter/Moderator Someday, I will be the most powerful Jedi ever. [This message has been edited by 1138 (edited 11-23-2001).]