Lattitude D610 audio interference

[Scrooge]

I had to post this despite the lack of traffic in this forum. My work laptop is a Dell Lattitude D610. It is so low-quality that with the volume on "mute" but with headphones plugged in clicking on (not even opening) folders in Windows results in a squeal/buzz coming through the headphones. It must be interference to the jack since it can't be heard through the speakers with no headphones plugged in but it drove me nuts.