Very weird problem

I have a Vanquish Level 3 that is about 1 or 2 months old.  For the most part, everything is great, except for one problem that is thoroughly baffling me.  I do not know if it is hardware, software, or network, though I do not feel anything is actually broken, but a conflict somewhere.

Here is the problem, I have three computers on the network, and every time my daughters computer HDD revs up, the volume on my computer drops to minimal levels.  No volume sliders move in Windows, everything remains at 100%, and I am still getting sound, it never completely cuts out.  I can crank up the volume on my speakers and get descent sound again (though forgetting to turn them down and later having sound restored has given me a few jump scares).  Rebooting or opening another program will restore sound to original volumes.  It does not matter what program I am originally using, iTunes, movies, games, the sound will decrease, and it does not matter what program I use to restore the sound, it will fix itself.  Any ideas?  I believe all of my drivers are up to date.

A long shot is to check the Communications folder in the audio control panel and set the volume auto drop to 'do nothing ' when communication is detected.

Are the speakers connected directly to the rear audio ports or through a wireless setup? Any hubs in use that are common between the rigs?

Good problem.

Hope it works.       

Let us know how it goes.         

If I were to have done it properly, I would have selected only one of the two options I mentioned above to narrow down the solution, instead of both at once.  The good news is the problem went away, but I do not know which option actually fixed the problem, though it is possible both were necessary.

I appreciate the help, and am excited to have a solution to my very weird problem!


Edited by Lahrs - 23 Jul 2014 at 11:13pm

I know who I will nominate for BPRAT22 of the year!