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dlestrange

28 Posts

3770889

May 3rd, 2005 10:00

Headphone Noise D610

I've read a few posts recently about the D610 and the noise that comes through the headphone port.  Unfortunately, I didn't know about it until after I got my D610.  I've put in a support call to Dell, because I should, to see what they will do.  The support person told me that they hadn't heard of the problem which is obviously incorrect as there are people on this forum who have reported the problem.  In any case, they asked me to send them recordings of the noise which I have done as well as providing links to the relevant threads on the forum which indicate that it's a known problem. I'm still awaiting a response.
 
The noise is really offputting, when watching a DVD, the sound is like a TV station with poor reception!  I'd like to see Dell fix the problem and issue a recall on the D610 to get them all fixed.  Obviously it would be expensive for them, but better to be done now than when some large corporation sues them after they've made a million or so notebooks!

gargie

11 Posts

May 8th, 2005 11:00

I don't know if there is ANY D610 without this noise problem. I wouldn't know because my D610 is the only one I can get my hands on around me. All I know is that there are other users experiencing the same problem.

As for me, I bought a USB sound dongle the size of a normal flash drive for SGD20(=US$12) and I finally got clear sound out of my machine. Together with a short USB extension cable, I think I have found the only available solution to the problem - at least for now.

I didn't realise how much I was relying on the audio capabilities of a laptop until I came across this. Such a major embarassment to this otherwise flawless machine.

Message Edited by gargie on 05-09-2005 01:47 AM

dlestrange

28 Posts

May 9th, 2005 05:00

I have got a response from Dell today about this problem.  I too rely on the audio output of the Notebook so this is really a bad thing to have happened for me.
 
I presented them with instructions on how to reproduce the problem as well as a "workaround" for the issue.  Someone from one of the other forum threads had suggested the workaround as a way of proving that it's a video adaptor problem.  It was also noted that those D610's with the Intel Integrated graphics adaptors don't have the same issue.
 
They asked me to try an experimental BIOS update (which I did) as they believed it may fix the issue.  Unfortunately it made no difference.
 
Anyway, the problem has been escalated and I now have a different tech support person working on the issue and it has also been escalated to "Product Development" in the US.  In the meantime, they asked if they can replace the motherboard.  I know this doesn't work, as noted on other forum threads, but I also want to co-operate with them so they can get the problem fixed.  I'm happy to continue pursuing this and working with them to solve the problem.  Basically, I just want a Notebook that works the way it should!

CKGator42

2 Posts

May 9th, 2005 17:00

I can't wait to hear what they say. I have the same problem--I think all D610s do--and I'm amazed that Dell has been denying any knowledge of it. I hope there's a fix for it, because it's a great notebook, aside from this issue.

 

16cowboy

11 Posts

May 10th, 2005 21:00

Dell email tech support wants to replace my motherboard, should I let them do that? Will that potentially cause other problems or issues?
 
I have been having the infamous static, popping, issue on  my D800

What are your thoughts on this.

Cowboy

dlestrange

28 Posts

May 11th, 2005 03:00

The motheboard got replaced today and there were no surprises when the noise was still there!  I even tried their "test" BIOS to no avail.  Anyway, I'm back where I started from...  The tech support fella noted that the noise was still there as well.  While he was here, he called Dell and they told him that a fix was around a month away.  Here's hoping it's not the BIOS that's currently in testing!
 
In answer to your question Cowboy, I would let them replace the motherboard.  I wasn't aware that D800's have the problem.  I have a friend with one and he's never mentioned having any problems like yours.
 
As for the D610, it's either a problem that will be fixed by doing some kind of firmware update or will require a motherboard revision.
 
I'll keep posting on this thread as stuff happens.

16cowboy

11 Posts

May 11th, 2005 12:00

My D800 started just a few days ago, & I have had the system for about 6 months. We have 2 other D800's in the office, but they have not been having the problem.

The buzz on this system is intermittent though, it starts & stops.

CKGator42

2 Posts

May 11th, 2005 12:00

Hmmm. I'm thinking I'll wait on having the Motherboard replaced until they come up with a fix, if they do come up with a fix. I really hope they can work this out...
 
For what it's worth, as a workaround you can use the Turtle Beach USB external audio card. It works pretty well for me. Not as nice as having the problem resolved, but it's viable until the problem is resolved the right way.
 
dlestrange--thanks for keeping us posted!

Message Edited by CKGator42 on 05-11-2005 08:20 AM

yskz

1 Message

May 12th, 2005 13:00

Hi I managed to find a workaround for the noisy earphone problem. I have a docking station for my D610, it includes an earphone jack, I tried plugging my earphone there, and the sound is crystal clear.
 
Hope this helps!
 
YskZ

MadPig

18 Posts

May 14th, 2005 00:00

[I posted this at notebookforums.com:]
 
My D610 was built and tested on May 4th.
I received it on May 11th.

I have the same problem that everybody seems to have, and I'm quite annoyed.

HOWEVER,

I have found that if your output device (e.g. speakers or headphones) is over approximately 150Ohm, then that electrical noise is effectively gone. Note that most earbud-type headphones range from about 16Ohm to 32Ohm. Therefore, if you have a volume control (effectively a variable impedance) on your headphones/speakers, you should be able to adjust it to a point where you can't hear the electrical noise, and you can still use your Windows volume control as normal (which should/might be sufficient volume).

HOWEVER,

I just spoke to a Dell technician, who spoke to a "specialist" (whatever that means), and they acknowledge there is a problem with the headphone noise. Furthermore, he has been informed by the specialist that the issue WILL DEFINITELY BE ADDRESSED IN THE NEXT BIOS UPDATE, A04, DUE OUT SOMETIME IN JUNE. He even gave me a case number and said to contact him if the issue is not resolved when A04 is out (because that would mostly likely push me past my return date limit).


As for me, I going to get a pair of earbuds with volume control for now, and wait for the next BIOS. Hopefully the volume control trick will work, but I have already tried it with some bigger headphones. I didn't want to get a USB/PCMCIA sound card because that would mean I need headphones ALL the time.

MadPig

18 Posts

May 14th, 2005 02:00

Confirmed:

I just bought a pair of Philips SBC HE580. Cheap things, only NZ$30~US$20, but the main point is that it has inline volume control. When the volume control is below half way, it is very hard to hear that electrical noise, and this equated to around 250Ohm impedance. Yes, the maximum volume is lower, but if you were going to maximum volume, I doubt you would notice the electrical noise over the actual audio signal anyway.

dlestrange

28 Posts

May 16th, 2005 05:00

Just thought I'd post an update on what's happening...  Like I said before, my motherboard was replaced and as expected, made no difference.  I had tried an experimental BIOS which also made no difference. 

I've been advised that a fix will be available in a month and my support call has been left open.  So I expect I'll post here again in mid June in this thread...

 

claytonb

4 Apprentice

 • 

503 Posts

May 23rd, 2005 05:00

I noticed the noise the other day when I plugged in a cable from the headphone port to the left and right channel to the TV so I could play movies from the notebook to the AV channel on the TV, the noise started when I touched the touchpad.
 

dlestrange

28 Posts

May 25th, 2005 21:00

There's no registry fix for this and Dell have said that there'll be a fix for this around mid June.  In the meantime, you can set the performance state of the video card to "Battery Optimised" and the noise will go away.  Doing that is OK as long as you're not using 3D graphics intensive applications at the same time.  So you wouldn't be able to play Quake 3 at the same time as setting Battery Optimised!

cuddle54

3 Posts

May 25th, 2005 21:00

I am thinking about buying a D610 but this noise problem reported all over the place scares me.

Can someone please try the following:

- Open the Windows volume control.
- Click Options, Properties, and select all inputs from the list of volume controls, then click OK.
- Mute all inputs.

Is the noise still noticeable when all inputs are muted? If not, try to determine which source is causing the noise.

Thanks,

Marius

MadPig

18 Posts

May 25th, 2005 21:00

The noise is not coming from the actual audio signal source. Therefore no amount of muting will do any good. In fact, the noise is there at the BIOS screen.
 
The source of the noise seems to be separate to the actual audio source, and it is just superimposed.
 
My solution above is satisfactory for me, in considering this is really quite a nice notebook overall.

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