Technology and Computer Q&A

TECHNOLOGY Q and A
for Smaller and Emerging Companies

Ted Wirth — PlumChoice, Inc.

We have a small office with several computers in adjacent rooms networked together. We have recently installed fluorescent lights (overhead). When any of the lights are turned off, there is a "thump" on some computers, but not others. We have even reconnected the "thumping" computers to the same surge protectors as the other computers, but the problem still persists. How can we eliminate the "thumping"?

          Unfortunately there may not be a simple solution. The "thump" could conceivably come from any wire connected to the computer or through the air directly to the computer. The best way to isolate the problem is to swap a "thumping" computer with one that does not and vice versa.

          If the problem stays with the location and not the computer, then the problem is related to the wiring or interference of the location. You will need to disconnect the wires one by one (not the power or speakers) from the offending computer. After each wire is removed, retest for the thump. Once you have isolated the offending wire you will need to either re-route or filter that wire.

          If the problem stays with the computer regardless of location, it is likely that some of your computers are more sensitive to interference and will require additional filtering. Follow the process above of removing wires one by one to isolate which wire is bringing the interference into your computer. You can either swap out the offending circuit boards or look at adding additional filtering to that wire.

Return to: Index of Questions answered by Ted Werth of PlumChoice, Inc:

          Ted Werth is a computer professional with twenty years of experience in data communications and the Internet. He owns PlumChoice, Inc., a computers service firm with headquarters in Billerica, MA. Please send questions for this column to:

Ted Werth

Email: twerth@plumchoice.com
Telephone: 888.758.6435

PlumChoice, Inc.
PlumChoice Online PC Services
5 Federal St., 3^rd floor
Billerica, MA 01821

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Revised: December 14, 2007 TAF