Update: it seems the audio is perfectly find listening through headphones, but as plugging them in (or muting the sound... i suppose anything that disables the speakers) makes the machine let out a horrible cry. So... I need to disable the speakers somehow :3 I suppose there's probably a cable I can just jank out inside, but I don't really want to take my chances opening this thing, warranty and all >_> any ideas?

Problem is the same regardless of whether I'm running on the battery or plugged in. As I noted in my second post, the audio is perfectly fine when listened to through the headphones (or any device plugged into one of the two front output jacks), but the built-in speakers will make the screeching sound whenever I plug anything into these jacks. I have been on touch with dell support on the matter, and it seems it's a known issue, and was given the option of either returning the laptop and having its innards replaced, or contacting them again in a month for a status update, as there is currently no know solution. I'm sticking with the latter for now.

Message Edited by Roughy on 10-14-2007 11:44 PM

do you get the same problems if your laptop isnt connected to the electrical outlet? ie if its running on battery power, does it still make the horrible screeching noise through the headphone jacks?

yeah it would definitely seem like something is amiss. mine makes the same sort of noise when amplified through larger speakers, but that seems to be a ground loop issue, as it disappears when it runs on battery, thats why i was asking you about it. best of luck to us both getting these pesky issues resolved.