Intermittent loud speak/whine when laptop horizontal. Ideas?

[eggplant69]

Am looking for some advice. My thinkpad x41 has developed a somewhat peculiar, but quite annoying intermittent fault. Every now and then it suddenly starts to emit and very loud squeaking, whining noise, somewhat like having a fly trapped in its inner workings.

This noise remains constant, until the laptop is moved away from a horizontal position, for example when tipping it up to have a listen underneath. this can occur seemingly at any time, whether just after startup, or after a lengthy period of use. It will then go away for a while, although it seems to be occurring ever more frequently.

I believe the noise is coming from towards the front of the laptop, but I can't be sure.

I am also pretty sure that this isn't a fan noise - I've had this kind of noise before on Thinkpads and not only does it sound completely different, but the fact that it is either there or not does not seem to fit with the kinds of increasingly loud fan noise that can happen with an older fan part.

I hope that's clear, it's a little hard to describe!

[Harryc]

The only moving parts in an X41 are the fan and the hard drive. Take your pick. The hard drive can be removed ...

[eggplant69]

Thanks, that's helpful - and thanks for the quick reply. Yes, I see. That does seem to narrow it down. I have replaced a fan on a different thinkpad before and in fact have a spare one, so I can try that. But bearing in mind your thoughts, my instinct is it's the hard drive.

If anyone else has any comments, please do let me know.

[eggplant69]

Just a quick update on this, in case other people have similar problems. Seems that in fact, the noise may be related to the connection between the power cord and the thinkpad. When I mentioned previously that the noise changed depending on whether the laptop was horizontal or not, I now think that this may in fact be connected to moving the power cord instead.

So - to clarify, I am still intermittently getting a loud whining noise from my thinkpad. But to resolve the problem, I now have to twist the cable at the point where it connects to the laptop, which appears to be directly connected to the noise stopping. Obviously the problem is less when working at a desk, where the laptop can be kept stable, but is more of an issue when moving around etc.

Bearing this in mind, does anyone have any idea what the noise could be? Or an idea of a more permanent fix?

[Harryc]

Try replacing the AC adapter and/or replacing the DC in power jack on the X41.

[eggplant69]

Thanks - will do if/when the problem becomes much worse.

[eggplant69]

Hi - just to reopen this topic, I have unfortunately not resolved this problem. I replaced the AC adapter, which unfortunately did not help. I have been struggling on for months now, constantly having to twist the connector, so as to stop the whine. However, it seems to be getting worse and I am at breaking point, considering getting a new laptop.

Give that I have replaced the adapter, I've come to the conclusion that it is the AC Power connector (perhaps what Harry C refers to as the 'DC in power jack'?) in the thinkpad itself that is the problem. Or something connected directly to that. Does anyone have any ideas? Is it possible to replace the AC Power Connector? If so, how? I searched through the Thinkpad X41 manual and couldn't find an obvious replacement part for it, but perhaps I am missing something.

Thanks!

[topmahof]

well, the jack is soldered onto the motherboard, not an easy thing to change. someone has to be skilled in multi-layered soldering and there's not too many people who will attempt it. if it is indeed the jack then replacing the board would be your only alternative coz the cost of replacing the jack will cost more than the board.

[eggplant69]

Right, yes of course. I see. Thanks for that info. Certainly way beyond my capabilities. I will probably just last it out a little while longer then unless a budget motherboard comes up.

[eggplant69]

Just to follow this up, this problem was resolved by replacing the motherboard.