OT: this big *buzzz* sound when monitor powers up VS data on hard drive...

FuTz wrote on 9/5/2004, 12:17 PM
this is a very off topic question but I have to ask since I get a little paranoid sometimes...
When you power up your monitor, there's a "buzz" sound (it's a cable going around your screen that partly causes it to get rid of static or somethin' like that, right?)

If I put my tower next to my monitor, is there any possibility that the "field" created by this wire erazes what on my hard drives in tower (which is like 4 inches away from the monitor)?

I'm setting up a new comp' and I don't wanna make some horrible mistake and since my other tower has always been under the table I don't really know about this issue. I know a lot of people are set up that way (everything on the table) but I'd like to know if there's been "horror stories" about that...

Comments

musicvid10 wrote on 9/5/2004, 1:11 PM
The "buzz" you hear in conventional monitors is the high voltage supply doing its thing.
Spurious emf from monitors are relatively low compared to regular speakers, flourescent light fixtures, etc.
If your tower is plugged into a properly grounded outlet, and the case is intact (panels on and secured with screws), there is near zero chance of any outside electromagnetic fields affecting its operation.
If the panels are off, however, there is a chance that rf emissions from inside the computer will affect the picture on the monitor.
johnmeyer wrote on 9/5/2004, 1:18 PM
The buzz is from the power supply powering up. The wire around the display is the degaussing coil and it is designed to remove any magnetic buildup that would cause the electron beam to deflect (which you would see as spots or fringing on the monitor). I have never heard of the degaussing (which takes place at startup) causing anything else, like a hard disk, to get demagnetized. Don't worry about it.
JJKizak wrote on 9/5/2004, 2:58 PM
Plus there is usually a heavy iron shield around the tube to protect it from stray magnetic fields. Magnets and speakers will upset your monitor.

JJK
FuTz wrote on 9/5/2004, 9:48 PM

Thanks guys, great to hear that.
No more worries..! : D
farss wrote on 9/6/2004, 12:24 AM
Just to clear up a few things.
There is NO heavy iron shield around monitors. You can order some with a MuMetal shield, used mostly in military applications like inside tanks and this kind of magnetic shielding costs BIG time.
The buzz as has been said in the degaussing coils which are giving a decaying AC current to remove any stray magnetic fields in the metal bits of your monitor. There's no way that'd erase a hard drive or even a DV tape. Both are extremely difficult to erase, we've tried bulk erasing DV tapes and it takes several passes over a big bulk eraser that'll wipe VHS or SP tapes in one pass.


Bob.
FuTz wrote on 9/6/2004, 5:37 AM
Even better, farss... : )