Update: the beeping/noises greatly reduce when I UNPLUG the charger... but what the heck? I need my laptop plugged in... Is there some kind of fix for this? thanks.

It could be the infamous Dell Ground Loop. Symptoms would include a scratchy staticy noise when moving the cursor, and the noises occurring only when the computer is plugged into the power adapter and connected to another device (like a mixer, power amp, etc) that is also plugged into a/c current.

To diagnose:

1. Disconnect the power cord from the computer and run on battery power, or

2. Eliminate the ground either on the computer or on the other device it is connected to, by using a 3 prong to 2 prong adapter, but just as a diagnostic tool because defeating the ground could invalidate warranties on one or both devices.

Permanent solution:

1. Isolate the grounds from each other by using a ground isolator. Some forum members have given us positive reports on Radio Shack's $16 Ground Loop Isolator (270-054). There are other such devices available for more money which would probably be better for someone doing pro audio work.

2. Or use non-conducting material to connect the 2 devices; specifically by using optical spdif to transfer the audio signal rather than copper cables. This would require having an external soundcard that has optical spdif.


Jim

Jimco thank you for the response. Yes, the noise gets worse when it is plugged into the AC charger, and gets quieter when just running off the battery. The noise is worsened when I open programs and move my mouse. I talked to tech support, and they offered a new sysytem, and assured me it would not have this issue... is that possible? i looked on other forums and it was strange because when they mentioned laptops having this issue, the brand was always DELL. I hope my new system will be fixed, but if not, I guess it is hopeless and I would have to resort to your methods or perhaps moving on to another company (but i love dell...i have all my other PC's and laptops with dell, but they don't suffer from this issue i am having now). do you think the new system they send will be fixed? they said they assured me it won't have the same problem...

"when they mentioned laptops having this issue, the brand was always DELL."

That's why I call it "the infamous Dell Ground Loop".

If you only have 2 prongs I guess they are trying something new to eliminate the loop. If the new one they send you does the same thing, try the 3-to-2 adapter on the other device. On mine it didn't matter if I used the adapter on the computer or device; either way worked.

Jim

Hopefully my new one is tested before it's sent to me, and I hope they don't lie and say it's fine... I read somewhere that they do that..then when you get it, the problem is still there. why can't Dell just fix annoying problems that have been around for years?

well what do you know? i got my new laptop and it has the same problem! wow..thanks for the great TESTING you did Dell.. Now I have to send in my laptop to be inspected and have to wait another two weeks or more to get it back when it is "SURELY FIXED" sigh....SIGH! BIG SIGH FOR DELL.

Because Dell is using this 2 prong plug you described they may have resolved the ground loop problem, but because both of the laptops have it I have my doubts. Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

Jim

Hi,
I also have this problem.. A loud enough noise from the headphones! I checked the headphones with many different laptops and music players, but those were perfect!! So the noise is arising from the laptop circuitry itself! Since the noise is not heard from the laptop speakers, I think it is a signal shielding issue within the laptop! It cannot be with the headphone wires... since it works on all other devises perfectly even with the laptop near it!! And this issue is now wide spread too.. I don't think adding external hardware is a proper solution.. As it is a new model, Dell should do something to resolve this design problem!! Also since this problem is a design issue, the customer in any means should be affected!! I would suggest a full replacement!! (I got a replacement due to some other HW problem; but both the laptops had the headphone noise issue) Please take this issue seriously and have the mother board seriously analyzed for high frequency noise!! I am not criticizing Dell, I just want to point out the negs!! I really appreciate the new design of 1520

Regards

Deepu

Here is my config for Reference (Dell Inspiron 1520):
Intel® Core™ 2 Duo T7300 (2.0GHz/800Mhz FSB/4MB cache)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Edition
High Resolution, glossy widescreen 15.4 inch display (1680x1050) 256MB NVIDIA® GeForce® 8600M GT
2GB Shared Dual Channel DDR2 at 667MHz
160G 7200RPM SATA HDD
CD / DVD writer (DVD+/-RW Drive)
Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card
Built-in Bluetooth capability (2.0 EDR)
Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam
56Whr Lithium Ion Battery (6 cell)
Integrated Sound Blaster® Audigy™HD Software Edition

Message Edited by Deepu John on 08-01-2007 12:54 PM

Deepu, Try listening a bit closer to the speakers - Mine you can hear it through the speakers too. At first I thought it was just HDD spining noise, but it is the same noise that comes from the headphone socket. Interestingly, with headphones plugged in it STILL comes out of the speakers! Dell, This really needs to be sorted out because listening to anything with headphones is very unpleasant with this background noise.

Do you have new information from Dell I received my inspiron 1720 september 27 and i have the same problem. i update all my driver and bios and the noise still there. Thanks

i call Dell No body know the problem! here at DELL Canada, Quebec i refer the tech to the site i don't know if they read it ? I make some research and i find somting that work for me Yes no more noise ;-) i install cpuidleextreme and the noise gone ;-) it's a maricle ;-) Here the URL test it http://www.cpuidle.de/ Luc