Hi all,
I just received my trial Magic Jack and I really want it to work. I have a media server running 24/7 that serves music/movies etc. so my plan is to plug MJ into it. Well it works fine, but when I plug it into the server USB I get line noise (buzzing) that persists through the dial-tone as well as after the call is connected. I tried MJ on two different laptops connected in the same location and they both worked flawlessly. I tried all USB ports on the server (front and back) as well as plugged in with and without the extension and I get that noise. I know it can not be the MJ or the line since once I plug it into a laptop there is no noise at all. I really don't want to keep a laptop running 24/7 just for the MJ since I already have a home server running. I hope someone has some suggestions.
Server config: Dell Dimension 3000 running Windows Media Server OS. MJ software installed fine but I get that horrible buzzing and it is unusable.
Laptop config: Tried it on Dell laptop and Samsung NC10 netbook both running Windows XP SP3 and on both it works great and crystal clear.
Any help is appreciated. I really want to resolved it within my 30 days trial...
Thanks
Line noise (buzzing) when using on my server but not laptops
Moderators: Bill Smith, Pilot
Re: Line noise (buzzing) when using on my server but not lap
Sounds like a grounding problem (ground hum). Maybe something between the sound card and the main power fuse isn't grounded correctly (the sound card itself, the power supply, the AC receptacle, etc.).
A ground hum indicates more serious problems than the annoyance of the sound. It means you could damage equipment, or get shocked, etc.
Mark
A ground hum indicates more serious problems than the annoyance of the sound. It means you could damage equipment, or get shocked, etc.
Mark
See the MagicJack Wiki (FAQ, How-To, history and more).
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Kif Kroker
- Dan isn't smart enough to hire me
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You both NAILED the problem 
So all of my equipment is in the server closet and I was always hearing some "humming" there which I assumed was the server fan. However, when I unplugged it to troubleshoot this issue I noticed that the humming did not go away. Everything else there should be silent since I have my router, switch, and slingbox in the same closet and all of them have no moving parts. So I tracked down the humming sound to the power adapter from Slingbox. Even though it is working, it is probably shorting somewhere which is causing line noise on everything plugged into the same power source. As soon as I unplugged that adapter the problem with MJ disappeared and it is working great! So this is actually a good thing since the damn adapter could've start a fire or something if it would overheat or something.
Thanks for giving me an idea on where to look!!
Now... need to read up on how to run MJ as a service and I will be canceling my Comcast voice in a few days
So all of my equipment is in the server closet and I was always hearing some "humming" there which I assumed was the server fan. However, when I unplugged it to troubleshoot this issue I noticed that the humming did not go away. Everything else there should be silent since I have my router, switch, and slingbox in the same closet and all of them have no moving parts. So I tracked down the humming sound to the power adapter from Slingbox. Even though it is working, it is probably shorting somewhere which is causing line noise on everything plugged into the same power source. As soon as I unplugged that adapter the problem with MJ disappeared and it is working great! So this is actually a good thing since the damn adapter could've start a fire or something if it would overheat or something. Thanks for giving me an idea on where to look!!
Now... need to read up on how to run MJ as a service and I will be canceling my Comcast voice in a few days
Though it is pretty straightforward to replace the Slingbox's wall wart, I wouldn't get overly concerned about any danger of fire, etc. The only thing that power supply seems to have been doing wrong is that it was violating FCC Part 15 Class B rules against suppressing the generation of spurious radiation.
The good news (don't laugh too loud) is that your MJ has the FCC mark. Since the device is not subject to certification (it does not connect to the POTS network and thus has no FCC ID number), this can only indicate that it complies with the part of Class B that states that the device must tolerate any spurious radiation received. Unfortunately, either the spurious radiation from your errant wall wart was too much for the MJ or the MJ was less resistant to that radiation than it should be.
The good news (don't laugh too loud) is that your MJ has the FCC mark. Since the device is not subject to certification (it does not connect to the POTS network and thus has no FCC ID number), this can only indicate that it complies with the part of Class B that states that the device must tolerate any spurious radiation received. Unfortunately, either the spurious radiation from your errant wall wart was too much for the MJ or the MJ was less resistant to that radiation than it should be.
That assumes the thermistor doesn't break down due to the constant exposure to heat (or changing temperatures). The thermistor is just a safety device intended to prevent the worst from happening, allowing the owner to detect a problem in the meantime (heat, noise, etc.). Ignoring the symptoms merely puts more responsibility (trust) on the thermistor which can also fail.mberlant wrote:I wouldn't get overly concerned about any danger of fire, etc.
There are regular news reports of fires caused by AC adapters. Google for "AC adapter fire." I wouldn't tell people not to worry about it.
Mark
See the MagicJack Wiki (FAQ, How-To, history and more).