T42: Buzzing noices - any help?

[Cedric]

Hi,

for a few days I received my T42 2373M1G. I'm impressed of this notebook, were it not for a bothering thing: the constant buzzing noice from the right side.

The CPU fan is on the upper left side. After the notebook is on, this fan can be heard for a short time and then it ends. Even if this fan is on the first level it's really quiet. So I think the CPU fan isn't responsible for this buzzing noice.

Can anybody give me some hint, where this noice comes from and - much more important - can I get a grip on it. I'm really thankful for any answer and help. It's really a little bit bothering.

Can the reason be the HDD?

Stephan

[Steve007]

Can the reason be the HDD?

Yeah, the HDD is under the palm rest on the right hand side although the drive shouldn't 'buzz'. Are you sure you haven't left a CD in the drive? That'll cause a buzzing-type sound.

[IAmTheEvilest]

Try reinstalling your sound card drivers?

[Cedric]

- I've no CD in the drive
- I've also reinstalled the complete system, because I work with my own open licence version of MSDN.

I think, that all drivers are up-to-date: they come from the automatic update service from IBM website.

Or where should I get the drivers?

Please make me hope and say that this buzzing noice problem can be solved

[IAmTheEvilest]

My unit used to make the screeching sound when I scrolled using the trackpoint. When I install the sound drivers using the IBM Software Installer and I really haven't heard anything since. Actually, there is a little electric feedback sound from the video card area, but I can't hear it unless I have my ear against it.

I think you should probably know what the hard disk sounds like, so I think we can eliminate that. One thing that you can do, while very time consuming, is to try to load back the original configuration onto the computer. I am using a restored version from the recovery partition.

[Cedric]

This buzzing noice was already there, also when I bought this notebook, so I can compare between the original and my configuration. Always the same.

At the time I wright these lines, the fan noice of the upper left side has stopped, the CPU heat is at 38 degrees. And now the buzzing noice, I speak about, can clearly be heard. Because of I work in an absolutly silent room this noice is there, bothering. It seems that it comes from the down right side, but I can't guarantee this. It seems that the noice is comparable with a blow, like a fan does in higher steps. But it isn't the CPU-fan.

No special noices when I use the trackpoint. The automatic install was done from IBM website. You can believe me, I don't must have my ear over this area to hear this noice, it can be heard. Also the CPU-fan can be heard if it's going on, but if the CPU is cooled down, the fan is going off. If the bothering noice can be eliminated, this notebook could be really quiet. But at the time I'm light-years away from a silent notebook

[raabjerg]

I'm not sure if you're referring to the problem I'm thinking of, but you might want to try disabling power management on all USB hubs.

This is done in device manager, for each USB root hub (in properties->power management).

For some laptops, this will eliminate a buzzing noise.

Regards,
raabjerg

[K. Eng]

I've found that this works on my T40, but at the cost of about 30 mins of battery life

I'm not sure if you're referring to the problem I'm thinking of, but you might want to try disabling power management on all USB hubs.

This is done in device manager, for each USB root hub (in properties->power management).

For some laptops, this will eliminate a buzzing noise.

Regards,
raabjerg

[raabjerg]

I've found that this works on my T40, but at the cost of about 30 mins of battery life

This is a trade-off, of course. Some of my friends find the buzzing quite bearable, others find it really annoying.

[Cedric]

I hope I've done the right thing?

I found four USB-Hub items beneath the USB-Controller node. For every item I've disabled the checkbox "Computer can power-down the device to save power"

If this is what you ment, it has no effect. The buzzing noice is already there...

[raabjerg]

Yes, that was what I meant. I have found that some software can occasionally trigger this, so you could try shutting down everything running in your system tray.

But the way you describe the sound, you might consider returning your machine for repair (or replacement, or whatever options you have where you purchased the laptop).

[Cedric]

@raabjerg
Thx for your help!

I've bought this machine in an IBM Thinkpad Center for three days. So I think, I can go to them and replace the notebook.

Like I've described, if the notebook is started in an absolutly silent room, I hear the CPU fan noice for a short time. And then it's over. But the buzzing noice - in my opinion from the down right side - is already there. And this is very bothering.

If nobody has further a good idea, what this noice can be, I'll go back and replace this machine.

Kind regards
Stephan

[IAmTheEvilest]

How about uninstalling the sound card drivers? Use the Software Installer and take out the Thinkpad sound management thing...

[sugo]

Cedric, I would just take it back and exchange for a new one. It's just not worth the time and effort.

Unless the noise is coming out of the right speaker, I doubt soundcard (driver) has anything to do with it.

[cha4218]

I had a problem before with a buzzing noise on my X31. It seemed to come from lower right corner of the screen (between the screen and system). I had sent in my system to IBM twice. Each time replacing parts, but not fixing the problem. When I spoke to the engineer at IBM, he told me that he couldn't hear anything. However, he was honest in telling me that the place he worked at wasn't exactly quiet (alot of machines running).

I could only hear the buzzing in a quiet environment.

Finally I was overseas (in Korea). Thanks to IBM's global warranty service I took my machine in person. I explained the problem to the engineer directly. He told me outright that the noise probably comes from a bad LCD inverter or LCD. After testing the system, he called me back and told me that he needed to replace the LCD.

To my surprise, the buzzing noise was gone. HTH.

Scott.

[dvorak]

I've occasionally heard some buzzing near the screen, usually went away in 10 seconds.

I consider the humming or buzzing that apears when I standby to be more annoying, it's not very audible, 10 cm away I can sense some high frequency sounds and when I put my ear next to an opening (USB/Speakers) I can hear it. Don't know if I should report it one day when I'm near an IBM Service Depot...

[Cedric]

I don't know, whether all is ok. Now the buzzing noices are going up and down, some times more buzz, some times less buzz. But always be heard. This new up and down ist really bothering.

I think, I'll go back to the Thinkad Center and tell my problem.

But apart from this buzzing noice the T42 2373M1GE is a great notebook.

Stephan

[migo2137]

Hello!

Maybe this thread is dead but I´ll give it a try. I had similar problem with my T22. Especially when I used trackpoint and scrolled. After upgrading to T40p I was hoping for a change to the better. Unfortunately not: now it´s worse. The buzzing noise, resembling a electronic, insect-like sound is back. Using Firefox and scrolling or just browsing makes it sometimes unbeareably irritating. It originates in the left area, under fn/Ctrl. Maybe it has something to do with the video card.

/Michal

[Cedric]

I've found out that this noice comes from the HDD. IBM service gave me the advice to remove all possible elements, which can cause this noice. Beginning with the HDD was a strike. After removing and starting the notebook the bothering noice went away. So I've found the noice candidate.

Because of this fact I've started a new thread (how to get Hitachi HDD quiet).

Stephan