| Computers and peripherals are noisy
| |
| | away, and/or the speakers turned off.
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| beasts, from the clack of keyboards, to
| |
| | 8/ You can reduce the sound overall with
|
| the whirr of cooling fans, hum and whine
| |
| | the Volume Control, (whether you use
|
| of drives and motors, and vibration of
| |
| | speakers or headphones) or mute the
|
| chassis and panelling.
| |
| | Windows sound files that sound when you
|
| This can interfere with your
| |
| | carry out virtually any task on a PC - see
|
| concentration, and cause irritation and
| |
| | Windows Help. (Click on a blank area of
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| stress.
| |
| | the Desktop, press F1 key, then use
|
| Unfortunately, the latest PC models are
| |
| | 'Search' facility or 'Index' in the top
|
| often noisier, because the extra
| |
| | bar. Look for 'Sounds and Audio Devices'.
|
| processing power requires extra heat
| |
| | Follow the instructions)
|
| removal hence more powerful fans. However,
| |
| | 9/ Most computer systems have power
|
| in older models, parts gradually wear and
| |
| | management features. Again look at 'Help'.
|
| loosen, creating ever more annoying
| |
| | You can reset the 'Standby'(low power -
|
| computer background noise.
| |
| | won't save data) or 'Hibernation', (low
|
| The World Health Organisation recommends
| |
| | power - automatically saves data)features
|
| an ambient noise floor (background noise
| |
| | , so that that the computer will slow
|
| level) of 35dB(A) so we can speak and hear
| |
| | right down after a period of inactivity.
|
| easily, and not have to struggle
| |
| | This will definitely save power and help
|
| 'filtering out' background noise.
| |
| | reduce the noise level of the PC when not
|
| Most of us don't mind some sound in the
| |
| | immediately in use.
|
| background , but please, not this endless
| |
| | 10/ If you have a tower type PC, store the
|
| distracting machine noise!
| |
| | tower on the floor below you, making sure
|
| Sadly, it seems unlikely that
| |
| | it isn't an obstruction, and air can
|
| manufacturers will be producing silent
| |
| | circulate around it. Buy extension cables
|
| computers until they are driven to it.
| |
| | if you need to.
|
| You can buy ' noiseless' computers, but at
| |
| | All the sound reducing equipment mentioned
|
| present they are bulkier and much more
| |
| | is readily available off the Internet, or
|
| expensive than standard 'noisy' PCs, and
| |
| | locally.
|
| may also require specialist installation.
| |
| | If you have a little more money or are
|
| Therefore, here are 10 cheap and easy tips
| |
| | buying computers, here are a few more
|
| for reducing PC noise:-
| |
| | options.
|
| 1/ Place your PC on a hard reasonably
| |
| | - You can buy new replacement PC cases
|
| thick surface. Angle the back (where the
| |
| | designed to be quiet. They may be
|
| noisy cooling fans situated) away from you
| |
| | acoustically lined to cut sound or
|
| if you can.
| |
| | constructed so you can do away with any
|
| 2/ Make sure the PC is standing level and
| |
| | internal fans so reduce noise
|
| flat on its feet' Mount the feet on a firm
| |
| | - Keyboard noise can be particularly
|
| rubber base or rubber foot supports to
| |
| | wearing. Pick a model with the keys touch
|
| deaden any vibration.
| |
| | dampened.
|
| 3/ Fix acoustic noise dampening pads on
| |
| | - Consider a quality second hand or
|
| the walls around the PC. Concentrate on
| |
| | reconditioned model. Do you really need
|
| surfaces near it, that might amplify or
| |
| | high processing power creating more
|
| reflect sound You may also consider
| |
| | background noise? Alternatively consider
|
| acoustic foam pads to block any unused
| |
| | lower specification models, with
|
| disc bays, this will also reduce internal
| |
| | (probably) smaller quieter fans.
|
| volume and promote cooling.
| |
| | - Ask for computers that comply with
|
| 4/ Make sure outer panels aren't loose,
| |
| | international noise reduction standard ISO
|
| and nothing is touching the PC casing.
| |
| | 9626. If it also quotes sound pressure
|
| Bind any dangling cables into bundles with
| |
| | levels, this is a fair way of comparing
|
| plastic coated wire ties or plastic cable
| |
| | the noise outputs of different PCs.
|
| tidies.
| |
| | - Additionally, have a couple of new
|
| 6/ Have your PC serviced and internally
| |
| | models run for you in the showroom.
|
| cleaned at least annually. Dust build-up
| |
| | preferably in a quieter area. Or maybe you
|
| inside a PC can cause t fans to become
| |
| | can get a home demonstration. All other
|
| louder, as well as being a potential cause
| |
| | things being equal, go for the quietest
|
| of allergen creation and early computer
| |
| | PC.
|
| failure.
| |
| | Whatever you plan, don't suffer -
|
| 7/ Speakers often give out noises
| |
| | experiment to create a more silent PC
|
| especially if other electronic devices
| |
| | environment. Remember, less PC noise can
|
| like cell phones (mobiles) or baby
| |
| | only boost your healthy computing through
|
| monitors are near. Keep these devices well
| |
| | 2006 and beyond!
|
