High Pitched CPU Whine!

Question

Hi there,

I know I am not the only poor unfortunate soul with this problem. Various searches on the net tell me that it is widespread.

I've tried all sorts of 'fixes' like RM Clock, the USB hub C3 and C4 states off etc... None of which work I might add.

I'd had previous problems with a HP notebook which they tried to repair 3 times but all attempts failed. I had to get my money back in the end. So, I thought I'd give Dell a whirl. I had an online chat with a sales rep and she guaranteed me that this Inspiron would not make the same noise. Well it does and I'm not happy. It seems that this problem is everywhere at the moment and mainly to do with Intel Core 2 Duo (although some AMD's have the same problem I understand). I'm unsure what to do as repairing and replacing in my opinion won't do anything to correct the problem.

The one thing that I find does work is a program called CPU Burn In, which stops the noise straight away. When it is running it keeps the processor speed to 50%. Not ideal I know but it makes using the notebook, I wouldn't say a pleasure to work on, but much better than having to hear that morse code like noise all the time.

Any proper fixes out there yet that I may have overlooked?

Inspiron 1720 CORE 2 DUO T7700 2.40GHz,800,4M 1

17.0" UltraSharp¿ Widescreen WUXGA (1920x1200) TFT Display with TrueLife¿ (Wide Viewing

Angle)

Memory Dual-Channel 2048MB (2x1024) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM

240GB 5400RPM Serial ATA Dual Hard Drive (2X120GB)

Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive including software 1

Primary 6-cell 56WHr Li-Ion Battery

NVIDIA® GeForce¿ Go 8600M GT with 256MB DDR2 dedicated graphic memory

UK Modem Cable and Adapter Internal V.92 Data, Fax, Voice Functions

Dell Wireless 1390 802.11b/g Mini-PCI Card EUR

European - Dell TrueMobile 355 internal Bluetooth Module

Message Edited by Dollifer on 12-02-2007 11:24 AM

DELL-Donald K · Answer

Interesting, 1st I've heard of the issue.   It may be that you have a higher that normal hearing range.  If you haven't flashed the BIOS to A03, then I'd try that first.

Dollifer · Answer

Believe me, if you had core 2 duo you'd know about it. Tried the Bios thing but it tells me I have a later version than the A03. Thanks anyway.

DELL-Donald K · Answer

I do have a core 2 duo system, (note my signature) and I've had no problem out of my I6400

ImSorryDave · Answer

The problem is documented numerous places, including this "official" Dell recognition:

http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/dsn/en/document?c=us&cs=19&dl=false&l=en&s=dhs&docid=0A7D5CD2E17F5125E0401E0A55176204&doclang=en

Unfortunately, the Dell notice linked to above has been corrupted. It used to contain a detailed problem description. That somehow got deleted, and now all that's left is related discussion and suggested workaround.

I have the problem on my Latitude D610. Didn't have the problem until the system board was replaced recently for an unrelated reason. Had the board replaced again for the noise--didn't make any difference. Now I realize all the recent boards probably have it.

Here's something that's worked for me. I've seen it documented multiple places that connecting a USB 1.1 device makes the noise worse, connecting a USB 2 device makes it better. Sure enough, I discovered that it became much worse when my mouse (most mice use USB 1.1) was connected, and became almost inaudible when a USB 2 device was connected. So I now connect my mouse via a USB 2 hub, and the noise is reduced to the point where I have to put my ear to the keyboard to hear it.

Dollifer · Answer

Ah sorry, I overlooked that you had duo. You must be one of the lucky ones, maybe I should get an I6400 in that case! ImSorryDave: Thanks, I've had a look there and have done what it suggests to no avail. I'll have to find out what USB my mouse uses. I can only really hear it when I'm in a silent environment but it still niggles me because I know it's there. Maybe I'm too picky but I still don't expect to have a noise such as this for something that cost such a lot of money :s Thanks for your replys guys.

Dollifer · Answer

That link doesn't work for me for some reason. I don't expect it to be quiet, I expect all the regular noises but this whine is horribly irritating. At least Intel admit there is a problem and are working on a solution.

FatCat1957 · Answer

Dollifer wrote:

The one thing that I find does work is a program called CPU Burn In, which stops the noise straight away. When it is running it keeps the processor speed to 50%. Not ideal I know but it makes using the notebook, I wouldn't say a pleasure to work on, but much better than having to hear that morse code like noise all the time.

Hey if making your cpu work stops the noise why don't you fold, it will keep your CPU running at 100% and you will be helping find cures for all kinds of things.

I do have a question for those that feel this whine thing is a problem, since when are computers suppose to be quite? I've owned and worked on a lot of systems and I don't think I've ever seen a quite one.Thier all full of fans and hard drives and electronic gizmo's.

Message Edited by FatCat1957 on 12-03-2007 04:12 PM

FatCat1957 · Answer

I fixed the link, had an extra HTTP in there.

Dollifer · Answer

Thanks for that! I've installed the program and will let it run whenever the computer's on.

FatCat1957 · Answer

Dollifer wrote:

Thanks for that! I've installed the program and will let it run whenever the computer's on.

NP, its a good cause and a good use of idle equipment. Been running it nonstop on my XPS700/720 for three months now.

ImSorryDave · Answer

Dollifer wrote:... I'll have to find out what USB my mouse uses.... Dollifer, Here's a simple test.  While you're listening to the noise, unplug any other USB peripherals, then unplug your mouse.  When you unplug the mouse, the noise should almost immediately get better.  If it follows the expected behavior, it will get better still when you plug in a USB 2 peripheral.  That leads to the workaround: Plug your mouse into a USB 2 hub, and then connect the hub to your notebook.

Dollifer · Answer

Unplugging the mouse doesn't make any difference to the noise I'm sorry to say. Dell replaced the laptop no problem but the noise is still present when not running Folding@home even in the replacement.
Thanks for the suggestion though.

Message Edited by Dollifer on 12-17-2007 07:27 PM

kwecker · Answer

This noise is much different than a normal computer noise (desktop or laptop). It sounds nothing like the spinning of a fan or a drive. It is very high pitched and seems to be an issue with Core Duos in laptops (Macs and PCs). I imagine that some people cannot hear it because they are older, have damaged their hearing, or just can't hear higher frequencies.

The idea that we should fix this problem by doing Stanford's bidding is useful to some, but as a Cal Alumni, unacceptable to me ;) And what about when in situations without internet? What about when we need to conserve battery life?

This is a problem that Dell, Intel, and every other Intel based laptop manufacturer need to deal with (some have). In the meantime, I'm opting for the "get used to it" solution, but you may find another alternative in the forums here. It has been discussed a great deal.

Message Edited by kwecker on 12-19-2007 02:28 PM

Dollifer · Answer

Basically Dell have told me that Intel are working on a patch to 'fix' it and that I'll be notified via one of the Dell 'tools' on my notebook when it is available. I won't be holding my breath for it to be any time soon due to the fact it's taken so long already.

FatCat1957 · Answer

kwecker wrote:

The idea that we should fix this problem by doing Stanford's bidding is useful to some, but as a Cal Alumni, unacceptable to me ;) And what about when in situations without internet? What about when we need to conserve battery life?

There are a lot of Distributed computing efforts going on besides Folding@home, you might check and see if Cal has one. As far as I can tell the program only accesses the net when it receives work or sends the results.

Your not willing to give up a half an hour of battery life to save the world? ;)

Locked Topics – Laptops General

High Pitched CPU Whine!

Was this post helpful?