RF Interference question

[spwango]

Thanks to anyone who can help on this one, I'm stumped.

I am using an RF remote control device with my Tivo. The thing works great, all through the house, until I turn my PC on. When I turn my PC on (PC, not the monitor), the RF remote stops working. Even if I point the RF device at the base station, which is in a different room than the PC, I get nothing. When the PC is on, the indicator light on the RF device flashes on and off--it's pretty clear it's picking up some interference from the PC--does anyone have any idea what device in the PC could be causing this--I assume the power supply is the key suspect??? Are there any modifications to the PC I can do to limit this? I do not see the same problem when my laptop is running.

The power supply is an Antec 380W True Power--It's an AMD 1800+ running an Epox 8K3A mobo--two HDs, Radeon 9800NP--there is a cathode light in the case and four case fans.

Thanks

 

[sorehead]

Have you tried disconnecting the cathode light you have hooked up? See if that changes anything. RF can be very frustrating to track down. Sounds like something on or near the same frequency of your remote control causing RFI. Also, is the base station and computer
on the same circuit? Groundloop? Those are my guesses. Next!

 

[spwango]

OK, so with the suggestions of groundloop and circuit, I did a few more experements.

1) Disconnected the cathode...still doesn't work.
2) PC is in the office, which is a different circuit than the living room. Still doesn't work
3) Moved PC to the bedroom, which is yet another circuit, still doesn't work
4) Moved PC to the basement. Works better, but not as good as when the PC is off.

Anyone else got any ideas how I can fix this????

 

[GEC]

Hi All
I have had a similar problem. I am a Ham radio operator and computer RF is a big problem. Most rf comes from cheap PS but you seem to have a good one. The best solution is to put "torrides", spelling looks wrong, on every cable coming out of the computer. You can get them a Radio Shack, but I would take a long look at the PS in the computer. If you got a spare PS, give it a try.

 

[spwango]

Originally posted by: GEC
Hi All
I have had a similar problem. I am a Ham radio operator and computer RF is a big problem. Most rf comes from cheap PS but you seem to have a good one. The best solution is to put "torrides", spelling looks wrong, on every cable coming out of the computer. You can get them a Radio Shack, but I would take a long look at the PS in the computer. If you got a spare PS, give it a try.

Thanks GEC--so you wrap the speaker, mouse and keyboard cable through the torrides too, huh--or just the power cable? Can you wrap them all through the same one, or do I need to buy seperate ones for each?

I assume these are the devices we are talking about:

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=273-105

http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG&product%5Fid=273-104

Also, this doesn't explain much, but it is extra data--I have no such problems when my laptop is plugged into the wall.

 

[spwango]

The radioshack device didn't work. Any other ideas or am I screwed?

thanks, spwango.

 

[spwango]

For anyone interested--

I tried removing my rounded IDE and floppy cables this morning. I took them out of the case, slapped her back together, and it STILL didn't work. Angrily, I put them back in and put the case back together. So, after the football games ended tonight, I came into the office and fired the PC up. I accidentally hit a button on the remote, and it worked. Out of the blue. What's different? The side panel of the case is not properly clasped to the case...the top rail is sitting on the inside top rail insted of sliding next to it. That sure seems like a case grounding problem...anyone agree?