X40 squealing sound near AC plug area, how long until death?

[supernova87a]

Hi all,
I wonder if you all can offer some advice on this symptom, and how urgent a problem it is?

When I plug my power cable into the left side of my X40, it gives intermittent high pitched squealing sounds from under the keyboard area. I can't localize exactly where the sound is coming from -- maybe near the space bar? And not incredibly loud, but loud enough (and mosquito sounding) that other people nearby can hear it and look to see what it is.

If I jiggle the cord/input adapter a bit, the sound will usually disappear. But then on sitting for a while, if the cord falls a bit just due to gravity, the sound can reappear on its own.

How serious a problem is this? Should I be backing up my data daily, for fear of imminent motherboard death? Or is it a "cosmetic" issue?

thanks!

[sjthinkpader]

Inspect the AC jack solder joints for cracks. Unfortunately you will have to remove the MB to do this.

[supernova87a]

well, just an update here.
I was unable to open the laptop because the screws are too tight/stripped. And so I had to just keep on using the laptop, backing it up periodically. This morning it died. No more squealing sound, and no LED indication of charging. I guess this one is dead.

[nchall]

I had a similar problem on my X41.

The problem ended up being with the AC adapter. Sent it in to Lenovo and the new one they sent me back didn't cause the squealing. Can't remember what the issue was, but I am sure you can Google for it.

Maybe a mismatched voltage fried your MB?

[sjthinkpader]

You can remove the stripped screw head by drilling. I use a drill press but have done it with a hand drill too.

[unclejose]

I have the same problem. Ironically my X41 died completely this July and when it came back from the depot it had a "new" motherboard and starting squealing. I sent it straight back and Lenovo who denied that it had a problem and blamed the battery. With a new battery now and now outside the warranty period, it is just getting worse.

Squealing started from the AC jack and jiggling it is the only thing that makes it stop. Sometimes the plug and jack get very hot and twice it has cut out completely and refused to turn on for 20 minutes (I think due to overheating).

Ordered a new AC adapter just in case that is a problem and will pull case open this weekend and try resoldering the AC jack. I'll let ya'll know how it goes. My X41 is 3 years old, but still has many years left.

- Joe

[supernova87a]

hi all, just to provide a final update of what happened --

The laptop did in fact die shortly after I reported the squealing sound near the power supply, and no futher jiggling of the power cord could save it. I figure the laptop was toast...

Until I remembered that the docking station can feed it power! So I bought a cheap X4 (?) docking station off of Ebay (~$20), and my laptop has been renewed. Of course, I transferred everything off of it to a new one I bought, but this one is still serviceable and I use it for backup.

thanks all!