AC97 Sound Problem - Weird

[Leonardo]

Integral to my IC7 motherboard is the AC97 sound chip, using drivers 5.10.0.5250. The sound controller is the Intel ICH5.

I'm running two sets of speakers - one set plugged into the "front" speakers output, the other set into the "back" speakers output.

Problem - whichever speaker set is plugged into "Rear Speaker Out" emits a high-pitched warbling sound when the speaker volume is turned up high. I'm assuming the warbling signal is always present, but that my hearing doesn't pick it up at low volume.

troubleshooting already performed -

checked all speaker and speaker power cables
uninstalled/reinstalled Realtek AC97 Audio drivers
tried all different settings under the AC97 configuration "Sound
Manager"
Checked the system BIOS to ensure no alarms were set

Any suggestions here?

[Mt_Goat]

Have you tried removing the audio components from the Device Manager and let Windows detect them as new devices to do a "clean install" with the freshest drivers? I would also clean all the old referances from the directory before shutting down after removing them.

[keto]

I'd more tend to think it's magnetic or electrical interference with the signal, tried moving the speakers around? Also make sure the speaker wires aren't sitting on top of other wires, keep them isolated if possible.

[SimGuy]

Definately keep those speaker wires away from main-power feeds for the system. I'll get a little interference on my Klipsch PM 4.1's if I have the speaker cables running next to my power cabling.

Do you have the microphone muted and the +20dB mic gain disabled (hey.. it's a possibility) :)

[edcentric]

Check wires in the case also. I don't know why it would be different for the rear, but check. You may be picking it up somewhere else also. Not only mute the mic but any unused aux inputs too.

[Leonardo]

Not only mute the mic but any unused aux inputs too.

I can't settings anywhere for specific ports, including the mic.