Alienware Aurora R4 - Front Headphone & Mic Input Jacks Static Noise

Reading throw the forums, some peole say to remove the audio cable going from the cable management system since it is catching all the interference.  Does that sound accurate and possible a solution?

Thanks for searching first.

Yes, re-routing the analog audio cables should help. You can also try a ferrite ring.

You can also switch to USB headphones. The signal stays digital until it hits the tiny "sound card" on the USB cord outside the machine. <- easiest fix.

Lastly (and maybe beyond your budget) ... connect a small amp or AVR. Run audio to amp via digital outs and then connect headphones to amp.

Wasn't the static issue before a bad ground or something like that? I wonder if they did it again on the R4?

Wasn't the static issue before a bad ground or something like that? I wonder if they did it again on the R4?

Ok.  So I went home last night and I removed the audio cable from the cable management system that goes through with all the other cables (e.g. power cables, sata connectors, etc.)  Once I booted up my computer I can already tell that the noise/static was diminished by at least 85%.  However it is still there.  

Using my headphones at a normal hearing volume acceptable level, the noise is gone.  If I blast my headphones, then the noise is there.  Not as loud but it is there.  But the issue comes back and it is amplified the second that I plug in my microphone.  My headset has both headphone and mic jacks.  But for the most part, I use my headphones and I have a external USB microphone so I may be OK.

I looked at the cable again and it seems like it is tie wrap to the metal casing above the power supply.  So I still see that the cable goes through a few more power lines and maybe the metal casing is still causing the issue due to vibration and what not.  I was tired last night and did not cut the tie wrap to completely remove and isolate it but I will try to do it again today and hopefully I can take care of the additional 15% of noise that I hear though the headphones.

I will post again tonight or tomorrow about my findings but I would like to see if Dell either adds some sort of audio shield on the cables, ferrite or at least isolate the audio cable so that future customers do not have this issue.  Front audio ports, usb jacks and anything that we can connect without having to throw ourselves on the floor and/or move our desktop to look at the back panel is a MAJOR PLUS!

Thanks for confirming that works (85%).

More re-routing or ferrite rings might take care of the last 15% ... but it is analog so it will never be as clean as digital. Use metal case parts to your advantage (as shielding). Be sure your test file is perfect. A mellow song ripped directly from a CD to .WAV might be a good candidate.

HEY

Just wanted to say i'm experiencing the exact opposite problem when i connect to the front it works fine but when i connect to the back i don't even hear static i just hear ... well... nothing i even tried making the back ports default and it still didn't work.

BUT that's not the reason i'm commenting.

My front audio and mic jacks are kinda messed up, as of now i cant just plug in the headphones and or the speakers. the actual Jack ( the female part that's ON/IN the front of the computer) is loose and only seems to send sounds through BOTH left and right speakers if i find the "sweet spot" by kinda moving the jack with the Plug ( the male part) still attached.

so i was wondering where i could get a replacement audio jack for my aurora R4 and how i would install it.

Any help appreciated!

Cad