T42p problem with sound maybe the motherboard?

Message

clmbngbkng · #1 Post by **clmbngbkng** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 8:27 pm

I have a 2373-KTU and recently whenever it has needed to make a sound from the speakers, either the ones built-in to the machine, speakers hooked up to the mini dock or plugged into the side of the machine, there is a little crackly noise that comes out before and after the sound the machine is suppose to make.

One example is when I go into my C drive and open up a couple folders every time Windows makes that "click" noise the speakers crackle before and after the click. Another time when this problem happens is when I open up the volume icon from the task bar and I slide the main volume control up and down it makes the same crackling noise.

These aren't the only times when the crackle happens but I thought they would be good for reference if you wanted to check it out on your computer.

I didn't have this problem a month ago so I tried loading an image of the hard drive from then and I still have the problem.

Any ideas on what I should do?

Marc_G · #2 Post by **Marc_G** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 9:05 pm

I had something similar happen to me.

All of a sudden, all sounds started to be highly distorted; sounding like a steam whistle, whenever any sounds of any sort were played. System startup, .wavs, whatever. Same problem using my main drive or another drive with an IBM preload on it, so I know it wasn't a driver issue.

It stayed this way for about two days, then on "day 3" it got less severe, sounding much like what you described with the crackle sound, and by day 4 the problem went away completely. I never got around to having IBM deal with it.

I'm guessing there was some sort of transient short, caused by dust or spiderweb or something inside. This happened right around the time I was having other very bizarre system failures.

If it recurs I'll get IBM on it (onsite warranty, yea!) but it's been fine for a month.

Marc

UCI2CI · #3 Post by **UCI2CI** » Mon Apr 11, 2005 11:20 pm

i had a very similar problem, but muting "Line-in" from volume control fixed it up

KillaByte · #4 Post by **KillaByte** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 7:29 am

You might want to have a look at this Thread.

clmbngbkng · #5 Post by **clmbngbkng** » Tue Apr 12, 2005 2:35 pm

UCI2CI wrote:i had a very similar problem, but muting "Line-in" from volume control fixed it up

I've had it muted all the time so I know that isn't the problem.

This problem has been going on for a little under 2 weeks. At first I hoped it would clear up on it's own but now I'm starting to think that it won't.

meeotch · #6 Post by **meeotch** » Mon May 30, 2005 2:47 pm

I've been getting what sounds like the same issue on my T42p. A little crunchy static noise hit first, then two smaller ones. It seems to happen when opening/closing files, or suddenly doing something that causes the machine to go to disk - but I can consistently cause it to happen by just hitting the volume keys when the volume is already within 3-4 bars of max.

I've got the mic & line-in muted, too. Also, the sound seems to be coming from the left side only. (And it's not the GPU whine - I've got that too.)

I hate to spend the time to send the machine back for a relatively minor issue - but I know I'll never be able to ignore that [censored] noise.

mitch

meeotch · #7 Post by **meeotch** » Tue Aug 30, 2005 1:52 pm

Just bumping this again to see if anyone else has experienced a similar issue. I now get a little "crunch" or crackly static sound, about a second after my thinkpad plays any sort of sound at all. e.g. when I change folders in explorer, and get the changing-folders-click noise, it's followed a second later by a crackle from somewhere on the left side of the keyboard.

And here's an interesting update: the sound is not audible when playing through external speakers... which makes me think it's not a software issue.

mitch

First Light · #8 Post by **First Light** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 9:15 am

I have a 13 month old 2373-KXU that developed the crackle problem 4-5 weeks ago while I was online. I was thrown offline, my isp (AOhell) redialed, and I was back online. This offline/online situation continued several times each time I was online over several days and I finally smartened up and called IBM TS.

After a lengthy discussion with the TS tech trying various things, the tech finally decided it was time to return the T42p to the repair depot in TN where they replaced the system board and updated the BIOS. Two weeks after I got the unit back, the problem returned - crackling noise and modem could not let me stay online. This time they send me a new modem, I installed it, logged on, and the problem persisted.

Am currently downloading an updated modem driver (10mg) to try so hopefully I will not have to return the unit to the repair depot again.

First Light · #9 Post by **First Light** » Sat Sep 03, 2005 10:38 am

In re my above post, since I could not stay online on the T42p for more than a couple of minutes before the crackling noise started and the modem threw me offline, I had to download the updated modem driver on my desktop, then download it onto a thumb drive (or any drive that you can put in your laptop), to do the install on my T42p. I've been online on the T42p now for about 20 minutes - longer than I have been able to stay online for about 2 months, so it appears at the moment that the updated modem driver solved my problem - I'll be back with a report if the laptop reverts back to the crackling and modem problem.

If anyone is interested, the updated modem driver is available at:
1. www.ibm.com
2. Type 53806 in the search box at the top of the page
3. Download Option #1 - IBM integrated 56K modem driver for Windows 98/98SE/NT4.0/2000/XP - ThinkPad G41,...

UCI2CI · #10 Post by **UCI2CI** » Sat Sep 17, 2005 6:13 pm

this problem started up again for me last week, but it only seemed to occur when listening through headphones. before and after any sound, there would be a crackling noise when volume was sufficiently loud. after a factory install, i noticed the problem was gone, but updating the sound drivers to the newest verison started the crackling noise again. So my advice: if your having this problem, try finding an older version of the soundmax drivers. Im using a generic "non-signed" version right now and it sounds great.

meeotch · #11 Post by **meeotch** » Thu Sep 22, 2005 3:28 am

Any chance you've got a source for those older drivers? After much googling & searching the ibm site, I haven't come up with anything that fits the bill.

mitch

UCI2CI · #12 Post by **UCI2CI** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 3:39 am

http://www.opendrivers.com/freedownload ... nload.html

please be aware that these are unsigned and not intented for ibm laptops. they worked for me however. i used the drivers in the "others" folder.

Let me know how they work

meeotch · #13 Post by **meeotch** » Fri Sep 23, 2005 10:29 pm

Thanks. Installed the new (old) driver, and unfortunately, the problem doesn't seem to be any better.

Another weird thing: when I turn up the volume on the mic output (not input), I get high an ear-splitting high pitched feedback noise. That doesn't seem right, if there's no microphone plugged in.

mitch

#14 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 1:02 am

meeotch wrote:Another weird thing: when I turn up the volume on the mic output (not input), I get high an ear-splitting high pitched feedback noise. That doesn't seem right, if there's no microphone plugged in.

mitch

Open the Volume Control by double-clicking on the Speaker Icon on the Taskbar. If you see Microphone, make sure the Mute box is checked. If you don't see Microphone, choose Options > Properties, and make sure the box is checked to show Microphone volume control, then check that the Mute box is checked as mentioned previously. This will mute the internal microphone, but you can still use an external microphone through the Line In jack (if that jack is not also muted).

Note also that the SoundMax icon in Control Panel has settings for the microphone.

meeotch · #15 Post by **meeotch** » Sat Sep 24, 2005 3:56 pm

Yah - got this already. Didn't realize there was an internal microphone... that's pretty bizarre. I can't imagine it works all that well.

Argh - my kingdom for a solution to this crackling noise.

mitch

UCI2CI · #16 Post by **UCI2CI** » Wed Sep 28, 2005 2:32 am

mitch,

i just checked Windows Updates, and theres an unpdated version of this "generic" soundmax driver im using. if you haven't switched back to the ibm drivers yet, give windows updates a try.

meeotch · #17 Post by **meeotch** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 9:08 pm

Thanks for the update. Tried it - no love. <sigh>

I've also noticed the volume level on this machine is incredibly low. A comfortable listening level (with headphones) is generally cranked up 100%.

mitch

#18 Post by **GomJabbar** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 9:36 pm

FWIW, there are several volume controls. There is a: (Master) Volume Control, Wave, SW Synth, CD Player, Microphone, Line In, Mono Out, and Wave Out Mix volume control. There is also a Hardware Volume Control adjusted by the keyboard buttons. Additionally, the CD Player volume control only controls analog output.

If you have your CD drive set up for digital audio output, the CD Player volume control has no effect. You can change whether you want to use analog or digital CD audio output in Device Manager.

In summation, you may not be getting full volume out of the speakers or headphone jack unless every volume control that affects the output is set to maximum value.

meeotch · #19 Post by **meeotch** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 9:41 pm

Yep, they're all maxed out...

mitch

#20 Post by **GomJabbar** » Fri Sep 30, 2005 10:49 pm

Well I'm not going to say that the T4x ThinkPad has a Peavey amp inside.

But I do know that headphones have different sensitivities. If you find a more sensative pair, then they will sound louder. Ideally you would bring your ThinkPad to a stereo shop and test different models of headphones for quality and loudness.

I've only used some $20 Maxell's with mine that I bought at the airport one trip to listen to a DVD I'd just bought. They aren't especially loud either. So I personally don't have any recommendations for headphones.

Another note. If you are using your ThinkPad to listen DVD's with CyberLink PowerDVD, there is a dynamic range compression setting especially for use with notebooks that boosts quiet passages so that you hear them better. InterVideo WinDVD does not seem to have this feature.

frenchy · #21 Post by **frenchy** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 10:06 am

meeotch wrote:Just bumping this again to see if anyone else has experienced a similar issue. I now get a little "crunch" or crackly static sound, about a second after my thinkpad plays any sort of sound at all. e.g. when I change folders in explorer, and get the changing-folders-click noise, it's followed a second later by a crackle from somewhere on the left side of the keyboard.

And here's an interesting update: the sound is not audible when playing through external speakers... which makes me think it's not a software issue.

mitch

I have something similar with my T41p after a motherboard replacement under warranty.
crackle under explorer

Moreover, without sound like explorer, the crackly sound appears when I just push the sound button to the last 3 levels.

Another note, if I push sound to the last level, the crackly sound is continuous.
Same thing happens with a live linux cd and my windows system.
crackle sound with max level on

The support seems to ignore the problem and invite me to wait (well...) till they have identified where the problem is.

I have try all tricks in this post but problem is still there and annoyed me.

Someone have found a way to fix it or something/experience I can explain to the support ?

Thanks.

M.

meeotch · #22 Post by **meeotch** » Mon Feb 27, 2006 3:20 pm

That's exactly the sound that I've been hearing. (Thanks for the wav file!) I'm about to ship my t42p in to the service center on this very issue. I'll update when I get it back... But it sucks to hear that you've got it on a new motherboard. I can't believe they haven't straightened this out yet - it sounds like this problem has been around for quite a while.

mitch

frenchy · #23 Post by **frenchy** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 4:10 pm

They have changed the board and the crackly problem is over, the chipset sound was the faulty.

The ancient one was a used part, fully fonctionnal minus this annoyed sound... I don't care if they used refurbished parts btw but this problem seems to be ignored by tests, DoS PCDoctor have see nothing wrong with this board.

I hope they will trash it for good this time :p

M.

ryan42 · #24 Post by **ryan42** » Mon Mar 06, 2006 7:52 pm

Same problem here. I believe that the problem may be with noise in the power. The problem doesn't occur when plugged into an adaptor though.

MartinB · #25 Post by **MartinB** » Tue Apr 24, 2007 10:13 am

meeotch wrote:That's exactly the sound that I've been hearing. (Thanks for the wav file!) I'm about to ship my t42p in to the service center on this very issue. I'll update when I get it back... But it sucks to hear that you've got it on a new motherboard. I can't believe they haven't straightened this out yet - it sounds like this problem has been around for quite a while.

mitch

Mitch, how did your case turn out? I think I have the same issue...

T42p problem with sound maybe the motherboard?

T42p problem with sound maybe the motherboard?

bump - any resolution to this?

noise problem's worse - bumping again

Who is online