Thinkpads Forum

I purchased a W520 and an Intel 510 250GB SSD. I completed a fresh install of Windows 7 Pro 64-bit and all Lenovo software and hardware drivers are accounted for. The drive seems to run fast - all diagnostics with the Intel SSD Toolbox software passed with flying colors, and it scored 7.8 on the Windows Experience Index - except for two issues...

1.) When the laptop is plugged in the drive cannot be heard, but when unplugged there is a sound emanating from the general area of the drive (which I am all but certain is the drive) that I would call a high-pitched static. It's no louder than the system fan at (or near) its lowest setting, but the difference in the sound when it is unplugged as opposed to plugged-in is very clear. Is this something that all new SSDs experience? Is it part of a breaking-in period? Or is it a warning sign of a dying SSD? I don't know what to expect, this being my first SSD.

2.) Also, I've had the OS hang several times on processes (installing one program, opening another, etc.) for significant durations of time (between 15 seconds and a couple of minutes), without any indication of the system working on those processes in the background. The screen did not freeze up, and I was able to click on other things, but those things froze up as well when I did and after the initial item resumed they all resumed simultaneously with it. I'm very careful with how much, and what, I install, and like to keep my system tidy, so I doubt a careless installation is the cause (especially since I only installed everything in the last couple of days).

...I keep wondering if these two issues are interrelated. Has anyone experience the same, or similar, issues? Any guess as to the cause, and better yet any possible solutions?

I appreciate any input, and please let me know if there's anything you need me to clarify.

Thanks.

Hi Cos*;
I have this post here <intel SSD> .. and never had anything that you are reporting ....
Might be wise to do a SWAP < return replacement> if its that new

I have had SSD die; Poof! and no warning ! a real pain if you dont backup data on regualr basis

Hope this helps
Cheers

ok, so after a conversation with Intel tech support, which involved me switching two drives between two systems to test (moved the SSD to another system, and the other system's drive to the W520), I realized that it's not the drive that is responsible for the noise but the W520 itself. Even with the SSD removed (and no drive replaced) there is a high-pitched sound emanating from the general area of the drive. Mind you, this is while it's running off the battery - when I plug it in (with no drive) the noise ceases.

Anyone have any idea what the issue could be with the W520 that would cause it to make this noise while on battery?

Thanks.

Hello Cos*;
Sicne tis a new machine - and ONLY issues when in BATTERY
I would suggest to check these things:
1) Power management - sets and also verify drivers etc
2) BIOS is updated to latest one
3) HOTKEY + any FIRWARE etc battery etc

if failing all this > I would get it to the DEPOT REPAIR ...asap

I/We havent had any major issues with the latest W series but last series (5xx & 51xx) were some major BOooos ,,,,, eg one had a SCREW loose that fwas running around@ unboxing stages !! scarey for that expensive llatop!!! Phew!! We order 1200+ W+T series a year !

Hope this helps
Cheers

ausmike wrote:Hello Cos*;
Sicne tis a new machine - and ONLY issues when in BATTERY
I would suggest to check these things:
1) Power management - sets and also verify drivers etc
2) BIOS is updated to latest one
3) HOTKEY + any FIRWARE etc battery etc

if failing all this > I would get it to the DEPOT REPAIR ...asap

I/We havent had any major issues with the latest W series but last series (5xx & 51xx) were some major BOooos ,,,,, eg one had a SCREW loose that fwas running around@ unboxing stages !! scarey for that expensive llatop!!! Phew!! We order 1200+ W+T series a year !

Hope this helps
Cheers

I tried multiple power schemes, but it did not change anything. I ran the ThinkVantage System Update tool and updated everything, but nothing changed. Can you elaborate on #3 in your list?

I've further detailed this issue at the Lenovo Community forum ("W520 Noise" http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-Th ... d-p/442413) if you care to read into it more.

Any other suggestions?

Hi Cos*...
Seems you have some issues > not sure how BAD the NOISE is?
usually it can be subjective and often at times what users feel is NOISEY - Tech Support might not agree. All in ALL ; if in doubt , I would send it for Depot Repair...

But we/I have nearly 200 T& W series 520 at work ; and they are often UNDER CONSTANT HEAVY LOAD/USE (not uncommon to poll2million + rows of dabadsse on these laptops) for development work - the I7QM and other i7 are often at MAX Util........andonly issue we have had was BIOS UPDATE (the latest one does restrict 'throttling/Turbo boost' upper limits).... none have had any "WHINE NOR Serious Pro. noise issues!

You can check these from here : and MANUALLY UPDATE the following:
CHECK BIOS LEVEL (I would install the latet one yet!!)
Hot KEY
POwer Manager;
Active Prot;
Display (video) drivers
Forware for any Devices that exist on that link ...

Even though the ONLY TvT item i use ( rest we uninstall) is System Update; it often does 'create' conflicts of SAME Drivers that exist in WINDOWS UPDATE.... so we use it with 'Smartly"


Hope this help

Cheers

Edited> link updated

That noise is strange. But personaly, I think that every laptop do some noise on battery somehow. CPU whine/power circuits whine/maybe others. Hard to tell about yours.

About that 15sec+ delay, this is a sad issue. I have 510 too, and like many others, the dealy too. And also the warm boot /reset/ is not working with this drive, it wont boot. Hopefuly lenovo or intel will update some drivers soon.

Does the noise sound like this?

http://www.empyrealis.net/archive/t510whine.wav


If it does, return the computer for another one because it's a.) defective and b.) irreparable.

Q-Ball wrote:Does the noise sound like this?

http://www.empyrealis.net/archive/t510whine.wav

If it does, return the computer for another one because it's a.) defective and b.) irreparable.

Wow, thanks for sharing that, that's exactly what it sounds like. From the W520 speakers it's as loud as the 8 setting. However, it's not constant but intermittent, audible only when there is activity, and only when running on the battery. When plugged in there is no whine or high-pitched tone, but the static can be heard when there is activity (though faint enough that you have to put your ear right up to the side to hear it).

That said, you think I should return it for repair/replacement?

QBall > EXCELLENT POST ! > love that FILE!!! ............and YES DEFINATLY that "high pictched" is NON REPAIRABLE and DEFECZTIVE PART !!!!

Cos*.. know its tuff and not easy to "quantify" that "WHINE- HIGH PITCH NOISE" ,,, and yes if its like you say (above post)..... I would NOT WAITE A SEC to call Lenovo Sales Support and DEMAND RETURN RAPLACMENT.
If you get any pushback - get Cusotmer Service MANAGER ( insist on a Manager - not team lead) ; once you get to MANAGER - and ask HIM/HER to refer you to a LENOVO CUSTOMER DELIGHT TEAM SPECALIST (dont ask me WHO comes up with such names for HIGHLY DISATISTIFED customers - but its too = you get to 'delight team' to REALLY FIX YOUR ISSUES!!).... dont give up - demans for Cust. DELIGHT TEAM REFFERALL!!! and insist on it.

Cost of these W520.... whe u compare to top of line HP & Dell = crazy .....pity company I used for wont SHIFT ,,,, as am really fed up of the LeNOOOVOOO's lack of 'customer worth'


Sorry for early morning blah ..... juz one of those days

good luck

edited> BTW ((IMHO....)))..... that "whine= buzzin = FAILED DIOD in BATTERY REGUALATOR BOARD - when only comes into Play when on BATTERY!!!

Q-Ball wrote:Does the noise sound like this?

http://www.empyrealis.net/archive/t510whine.wav

If it does, return the computer for another one because it's a.) defective and b.) irreparable.

ok, a couple of days have passed and it sounds even worse. Now it sounds like this, in addition to a kind of ticking and occassional muffled beeps immediately following by what I can only compare to a powering down electrical sound (similar to when you turn a television off - a gradual electrical release).

This is very disturbing and doesn't sound like anything I've ever heard out of a laptop so I'm sending it back. My experience with this machine has been somewhat disappointing so far, but hopefully I will get a clean and solid replacement to put an end to the hassle once and for all.

Ugh... so the W520 I'm getting to replace the T510 that I have (that makes that noise) has the potential to be defective in the EXACT SAME WAY.

COME ON! I mean- how hard is it for Quanta (ODM) /Lenovo (OEM) to add a less-than-one-cent capacitor to permanently eliminate the issue?

(And I only have 2 months worth of warranty left...)

Q-Ball wrote:Ugh... so the W520 I'm getting to replace the T510 that I have (that makes that noise) has the potential to be defective in the EXACT SAME WAY.

COME ON! I mean- how hard is it for Quanta (ODM) /Lenovo (OEM) to add a less-than-one-cent capacitor to permanently eliminate the issue?

(And I only have 2 months worth of warranty left...)

Seems the possibility exists, but it may not affect the unit you receive. Worst case scenario you can send your unit in for repair or exchange. It's unfortunate that this issue plagues some of the systems, but I say it's worth the wait and the hassle to arrive at a properly functioning W520. It's the W520 or nothing for me - I see it as the ideal machine and I wouldn't settle for one of the alternatives. Good things come to those who wait applies in a sense here.

Dorry guys ....we got nearly 300 W & T series in 520's so far , not ONE has come with THAT FAULT! well NOT YET ! lol ! ....

However, we have tried to "switch" to HP AND OR Dell machines..... to nearst and closed they have to TP W Series - and they all had significantly MORE ISSUES.....few had MAJOR ISSUES that we are often shocked to see HOW THEY LEFT the ASSAMBLY area! Apart from few TP with missing botton screws and or incorrect pwoer cords (as we order for Europe also via USA)
Maybe being a major account AND NOW having an accoint rep FT has helped in managing some of these - but I tell ya - gone are the days of when models like T20s, T30s, T40s &R40s.... they are still running @ someones house (usually bought by users - they use they look after it they get the benefits!) I know the T43P I got many years ago , is STILL running @ my house and even infact- its never thurned off!! always running and W7P runs like a charm!

sorry for the ramblings this morning
Cheers folks > happy Memorial day for those in USA! WooWah !

Do you think, that it is possible that TPfancontrol is causing some system lag? I am experiencing some laggy behavior on my system, and I don't know what is causing it. Its like sometimes the mouse pointer is a bit laggy for a few seconds, or windows zooming, minimalizing, or window moving is not smooth. I killed TPfancontrol, and it seems OK now, but I am not sure because symptoms are occasional. But when I click the titlebar of TPcancontrol and want to move the window fast, it is laggy all the time.

I am using TPFC W520 version from this thread with no additional tweaks.

System is W520: i7 2720QM, nVidia 1000M discrete only, 16 GB ram, intel 510 SSD.

ausmike wrote:Dorry guys ....we got nearly 300 W & T series in 520's so far , not ONE has come with THAT FAULT! well NOT YET ! lol ! ....

However, we have tried to "switch" to HP AND OR Dell machines..... to nearst and closed they have to TP W Series - and they all had significantly MORE ISSUES.....few had MAJOR ISSUES that we are often shocked to see HOW THEY LEFT the ASSAMBLY area! Apart from few TP with missing botton screws and or incorrect pwoer cords (as we order for Europe also via USA)
Maybe being a major account AND NOW having an accoint rep FT has helped in managing some of these - but I tell ya - gone are the days of when models like T20s, T30s, T40s &R40s.... they are still running @ someones house (usually bought by users - they use they look after it they get the benefits!) I know the T43P I got many years ago , is STILL running @ my house and even infact- its never thurned off!! always running and W7P runs like a charm!

sorry for the ramblings this morning
Cheers folks > happy Memorial day for those in USA! WooWah !

I'm not happy that my unit was affected but I am happy that it seems to be a rare exception, to where most W520 owners are well satisfied with their machines, which hopefully also means I will be satisfied with my replacement (I'm thankful to be working with a dependable reseller).

I wouldn't think to go with a Dell or HP, but I do agree with you on the older Thinkpads. I still have my T43p as well. I've had to replace a couple parts on it (LCD inverter and HD) but mine is always on at work where I use it for running macros. Today's Thinkpads are not exactly what they were back then, but thankfully Lenovo still makes one of the best quality laptops on the market (even if the market as a whole has taken a step backward, however slight).

commander wrote:Do you think, that it is possible that TPfancontrol is causing some system lag? I am experiencing some laggy behavior on my system, and I don't know what is causing it. Its like sometimes the mouse pointer is a bit laggy for a few seconds, or windows zooming, minimalizing, or window moving is not smooth. I killed TPfancontrol, and it seems OK now, but I am not sure because symptoms are occasional. But when I click the titlebar of TPcancontrol and want to move the window fast, it is laggy all the time.

I am using TPFC W520 version from this thread with no additional tweaks.

System is W520: i7 2720QM, nVidia 1000M discrete only, 16 GB ram, intel 510 SSD.

I don't know enough about that setting to know whether it's responsible for the lag that I experienced or not, but I would suggest you open a new thread for that issue and further detail it there. I'm sure anyone looking for that thread would benefit.

commander wrote:...... is causing some system lag?.......

I am using TPFC W520 version from this thread with no additional tweaks.

System is W520: i7 2720QM, nVidia 1000M discrete only, 16 GB ram, intel 510 SSD.

G'Day Comm*;
System "lag" is annoying and often very frustrating to me > ESPECIALLY happens to me @ some IMPORTANT CLIENT DEMO !!! grr!!!... I also have intel SSD in my work machine and seems that even LEVEL TECH SUPPORT cannot put their fingure on it. I suspect its the "driver mismatch' to some "windows dll"....but then am no teckie - just hate that when it happens - as MURPHY LAWs states - @ worst possible time - it happens.
Will keep you/everyone post if Imaange to hassel the now slow lenovo tech support ....

Cheers

Hi,
Coswyn is right we are offtopic, so if any moderator can divide this it would be great. Anyway, I invested many hours into researching, it I HOPE my problem was caused by the GPU acceleration of Firefox. Since I disabled it, everything looks smooth. But I did not do any long-term work yet and you know that symptoms are occasional. I cannot tell anything about yours, we should have more details about that but you are right that it is frustrating and it can be caused by anything.

Only tip I can give - I always do my own clean installations. You know what you have on your machine, and you don't have any unnecessary software which can cause more problems.