M17xR2: All DIFFERENT NOISES! FINALLY A RESOLUTION!

Hello fellow Aliens,​

Since our ships emit different noises;​

Since this is NOT why we bought them;​

Since Dell's Engineers do not seem to care about them;​

Since some of us are SEVERELY affected by those;​

Since I've discovered at least one of those horrible noises can be shut-off;
​

Therefore, I decided to create this thread so most people shall be able to get rid of this more-than-annoying noise.​

Most likely, you all know by now the four (yes, that is 4) different noises that come out of our ships,
as they have already been described, but as a quick recap, we have:​

​

CPU Whine: Easily audible whenever one core is heavily sollicited, tend to be less audible if more cores are sollicited, or if the fans kick-in like crazy; this sound seems to be inherent to Intel's I-core's CPUs, not much can be done here I guess...
UPDATE: You may get rid of the CPU WHINE by downloading and merging this file to your registry, and by applying the tweaks found here .
Note that the specific setting which makes the CPU WHINE much more acceptable is this one:

Minimum processor state = 0%

Enjoy and give a +Rep to THIS GUY !


GPU Coil: Easily audible whenever the GPU is sollicited, for instance if you quickly scroll up&down a web page, or if you stay idle on a web page that has a lot of flash animations; this sound seems to be inherent to GPUs, not much can be done here I guess...


Transistor Off: Easily audible from the left side vent area when you plug the A/C adapter to your machine, without powering it on; this sound seems to come from a faulty transistor, capacitor, which seems to be unable to properly deal with the power (current) that is fed into it, so it kinda suffers from this and therefore emits a noise like an high-pitch EEEEEEE, constant. This sound shall stop about 10 seconds after you disconnect the A/C adapter, OR as soon as you power on your system.


Transistor On: Easily audible from the right side vent area when the computer is running; this sound seems to come from another/the same incompetent transistor/capacitor, which seems like the previous one to NOT be able to deal with the power that is injected in it, or so... This jerked transistor will then emit a constant but intersected, cut across high pitch noise, more or less like Morse Code, going like EEEEEEE-EEE---EEEEEEEEEE--EEE--EEE-EEEEEE-EEEEEEEEE-EE-etc...



In my humble opinion, this is the most annoying noise of the four described above, as this one is giving me headaches if I work for, say more than four hours in a row on my M17X...


Well, since it seems we can't count on Dell to first, aknowledge the problem, and, needless to say, to fix it, well, here's the cool part: a French guy found a way to solve it, it's not a manufacturer's solution, mind you, still it works, so let me entertain you here...

​

So what you wanna do is the following:​

1. Right-click on the Sound icon of your taskbar;​

2. Click on Recording Device;​

3. Double-click ANY Mic in the list (Mic OR Mic In OR Microphone Array);​

4. Click on the Level tab;​

5. Slide the volume controls down to zero, and also (just to be bullet-proof), click on the little speaker on the right so the sound is muted (red circle appears);​

6. Click on the Listen tab;​

7. Check the Listen to this device box;​

8. Click Apply, than OK...​

9. Believe it or not:​

YOU ARE NOW THE MOST HAPPY CAMPER OF THE WHOLE ALIENWARE UNIVERSE !!! ​

Anyways, I just hope this thread will be able to help people getting rid of one of the inconvenient noises that our machines emit, for the best enjoyment experience of their Alienware's unit; If they don't carefully take care of their product, why shouldn't we ​

Cheers !​

​

 

ok, tried that.. doesn't help in my case.
i think my case is number 3...
++rep for the find anyway

 

Sorry to read that...

Did you reboot ?

OR, alternatively, you can pick the MIC ARRAY (the second choice) instead of MIC IN; however, you'll then have to put the MIC sound to Off, else, Echo-ec-cho-eccc--chooooo-echo..

Most likely, you're talking GPU's coil, 'cause # 3 is when lappy is OFF but connected on A/C power...

I am sad it's not working for you, honestly, was so happy when I realized it was working for me...

Try a reboot and let me know if you don't mind, and thanks !

 

actually i think that i am experiencing two different whines.. one had been solved by your method (i think) because i can't hear the whining now (the Morse code one) but whine that can be reproduced by playing windows chess is still there.
So yeah, i have 50% solution!
Thanks for that mate.
BTW GPU Coil as stamatisx suggests can be fixed by applying nail varnish to the problematic GPU transistor.

 

ya, read Stamatisx's tip after...

So, basically, you just applied a 50% solution; just a matter of time for you to fix GPU's coil using his tip, right ? When done, you'll be 100% solution working, providing you're not affected by the CPU whine and the Transistor Off...

On my side, I can EASILY live with both CPU and GPU's sounds, as they're not constant, and I can live with the Transistor Off because I simply unplug my unit when Off,
BUT I WAS TOTALLY UNABLE TO STAND THE TRANSISTOR ON NOISE, like I said, was even giving headaches if hearing it for too long, so, for now, I am good to go...

I AM SO HAPPY IT'S WORKING FOR YOU TOO MATE !​

Woo-Hoo !!!

 

I actually believe that the Morse code like whine IS a CPU whine, but i am not sure.

Glad you resolved your issue too, if i were you i'd put this thread in your sig so others can be exposed to it more easily and hopefully solve the problem.

I will be applying the nail varnish on my GPUs next time i open the lappy for cleaning but i want to read about it some more before i do and also i need to find a way to identify the problematic part that is making the noise. I don't want to polish the whole card with nail varnish

 

Thanks for the tip for the sig; updated...

Good luck with the nail varnish !

 

The only noise I've noticed was once in a while when I first turn on the M15x a loud screech comes from my speakers. If I disconnect and reconnect them it goes away. I'm assuming my issue is speaker related but it doesn't happen with my other systems.

 

Not sure neither, while I doubt, because I remember my R1, which had a Q9000 inside, was making the same Morse Code, EEEEE_EEE_EEEEE_EEE, however, a little less audible, but I don't remember it making the same CPU whine the I-coreXXX are doing...

But hey, I am no Engineer myself, so, what do I REALLY know about that...

Ya, it's most likely something else as all the noises we've described here are NOT coming any way out of the speakers; and they really look to me like electronic components which do not seem to be able to handle the power that they are supplied with... Hopefully, Dell shall take this as seriously as they finally did for the latency of the R1's...

 

Does that mean I have an excuse to buy new speakers?

 

Or a brand new replacement unit...

 

Interesting. On the HP Envy 17 they have the Morse code sound when the CPU is idle and use the listen to muted microphone to silence the sound.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/hp-...hp-envy-17-owners-lounge-148.html#post6347979

 

This is very interesting indeed....

Looks like all morse code can be fixed by listening to microphones, who would have guessed that...

The important thing thought is this fix, while temporary and not a permanent solution from manufacturers, do work, so all in all, it's all good to me !

 

This worked for me. awesome

 

Did you post in the wrong thread? This is a link to Xbox Live.

 

what are you taking about.. he said the cpu whine fix worked for him

 

LOL. I thought the thumbnail picture was part of his post. However, it is part of signature line.

 

Just to add my own experience to this thread:

My latest M17x-R2 with dual 5870s had a very loud "eeeeeeee" coming from the left (primary GPU) when the system was off and the AC adapter plugged in. I used to think you guys were nuts until I heard this thing! It was annoying the crap out of me when I was trying to get some reading done. Fortunately, I had a few spare M17x's laying around so I pulled the 5870s from those and replaced mine and the "eeeeee" was gone. So if it bothers you guys a lot, get Dell to replace your GPU!

 

1. Right-click on the Sound icon of your taskbar;

2. Click on Recording Device;

3. Double-click Mic In;

4. Click on the Listen tab;

5. Check the Listen to this device box;

6. Click Apply, than OK...

7. Believe it or not that eeee - eeee - eee high pitched noise that made me crazy is gone. THANKS!!!!

 

: I'm so happy it worked for you too...

 

I have an R1 and I believe all these same noises and problems still apply. Is the "listen to device" trick applicable for R1's? I think the audio setup might be a little bit different but the tabs are mainly the same, so I went in and did the settings similar to that, and the one main "morse code" type noise is still going. The morse code noise is either the CPU, the transistor on thing, or something else on the motherboard that I don't know. The morse code sound happens even at full CPU idle, so can it still be the CPU(and power going through it or something), or is it not the CPU at this point? This noises are quite loud, and if the R2 is louder than this(which I kind of doubt), then Dell/Alienware needs to make this a main concern for the next model because no one wants to be forced to use noise canceling headphones.

 

do you guys hear a whine when running 3d vantage? if so, which one of the four errors is that?

 

When I tested this it just turned the speakers into mics and I could hear myself? Maybe I did it wrong but then again I don't have that eeeeee problem anymore after changing out the GPU. Maybe PsiPro noticed the same thing, yelled at his speakers and it created a self propagating loop that drains subspace energy and may lead to a catastrophic black hole?

 

I had an R1 which got exchanged for an R2, and I can tell you that my R1 had the same noises. So the answer to your first question is YES.

(Please forgive me I divided you text in paragraphs, which makes them easier to read and understand.)​

​

I think you are mixing the different noises; the fix actually only fixes ONE of the noises, which is the morse code that goes eee-eeeee-eee-eeeee--eeee and this, CONSTANTLY as soon as windows is booted, NEVER MIND WHAT YOU DO, OR NOT...

Besides, you got the CPU whine, which you will ear ONLY when the CPU is sollicited, and then the GPU coil, which you will ear ONLY when the GPU are sollicited, for instance, in games obviously but simply looking at a web page with a lot of flash animations on it.

Finally, you got the transistor off noise, which can be ear ONLY when the laptop is powered off BUT pluggued to the A/C adapter.

My guess is that the noises you still hear are BOTH the CPU and the GPU, and as far as I know, there's no such fix for those.

My suggestion to you at this point is to listen to the right side of your M17X BOTH by putting the check mark to the "listen to this device" and by unchecking it; you should ear the difference quite easily...

Cheers !

 

Sorry to be a noob at this, but what does 3D Vantage measure ?

If it does measure the GPU: then you ear the GPU coil's noise;
If it measures the CPU: then what you ear is the CPU's whine noise.

Makes sense ?

 

I doubt you went wrong as the steps are pretty straightforward...

However, you might wanna also lower the volume of the microphone down to zero or else, you'll ear some horrible ech-ech-choe-choe-choes-echoes...

The morse code is NOT the GPU's whine, while it may also come from the videocard; however, I SERIOUSLY DOUBT because I had an M17X-R1, which got exchanged 4 times by a brand new M17X-R2, (that's 5 different units) and all of them (with obviously different video cards) showed that horrible morse code, again, kind of a transistor that have a problem handling the power that runs into it's circuitry...

Besides, bear in mind that the morse code, the eee-eeee-eee-eee--eeeee (constant) is coming form the RIGHT SIDE of the laptop, so, if it would be the card, it would be most likely the SLAVE one because the eee is BY FAR much more audible from the right than the left side of the lappy, where resides the slave card (left)...

As for yelling at speakers which could create such a black hole from draining subspace's energy creating then exotic particules that could tear the timeline of a parallel universe, I'm not too sure, but maybe PsiPro knows better

eYe

 

Hey, thanks for the response. I fully understand that there are 4 different noises, I have good hearing. What I was saying is that the audio driver(s) may be slightly different so there is nothing for me technically seen as "mic in", just microphone and microphone array. Once I get into each of those, I did do "listen" on one, the other, and both, and it doesn't get rid of the noise one way or another.

Does anything else need to be adjusted, like the volume or something i don't know, but if someone could look at their R1 and see if this works, then that would be awesome. About the noise, I was saying I am quite sure this is the transistor on noise, but if it isn't I think it could be related to the CPU, even though it does make this sound at idle CPU, but I could be absolutely wrong.

One thing I HAVE noticed though that cures the problem very temporarily is if i go to a Youtube video and right click on the video to bring up the flash menu. I can't hear that sound while this menu is up, but once I click out of it, it instantly comes back. While right clicking for the menu and the noise being gone temporarily, I have the task manager open, and I notice that Firefox's CPU usage goes to exactly 25% and doesn't change for me. That's why I was thinking this somehow could be CPU related or possibly driver related somehow, but I am most likely completely wrong, but all I know is I just want that constant noise GONE.

 

Oh well, I'm glad you understand that there's 4 different noises, but sorry pal, I do not understand on my side if you got it cleared up or not...

You should be able to get rid of the constant eeee-morse-code-like by clicking listen to this device for any mic (or mic array); you just might wanna also put their volume down to zero if you don't wanna be plagged by an ech-ch-ech-echo-cho-echo after...

You will always (as far as I know) hear both the CPU and the GPU noises while the lappy is powered on;

You will always (as far as it goes) hear the power off transistor noise (assuming you leave the A/C adapter plugged in) while the lappy is turned off;

The Listen to this device tip will only get rid of the CONSTANT EEEE-EEE--EEEE-EEEE MORSE CODE noise while the lappy is powered on; that's the most annoying one for me and this tip fixed that. I wish I still had an R1 unit so I would be able for sure to tell you if it works on this one; however, I do not own one anymore, but logic and commmon sense tell me it should work just the same. But you will not be able, as far as I know, to get rid of the 4 noises. Until you prove me wrong, which I'd love because that would mean I would not have to hear any of those noises anymore.

Sorry to not be of anymore help pal.

eYe

 

So I decided to give this another shot and explain what the issues were with these instructions. These steps listed can almost damage your speakers if done wrong. In order to explain, lets begin with the current set of instructions we were given by Eye:

This was one of the issues I was experiencing. Especially when running 3D Mark tests. The part of the test where you see a loading screen of the next test would create massive amounts of processor whine. However, I determined that I was using 3D Mark 03 and proceded to download later versions of the software (ie: 06 and Vantage) only to notice that the newer the test got, the less CPU whine I got. Which I thought was interesting. Regardless, lets continue...

In my experience, I have only experienced transistor off and GPU whine noises when using my M17x-R2, but I have a desktop as my main computer and the Alienware is used less often than the desktop. Just out of personal choice, I do not want to get things like Ketchup, grease from french fries/pizza, and other stains on my M17x-R2 so I refrain from using it while eating lunch/dinner just to surf the internet and check up on news/youtube videos, etc.

For this reason, these noises were rarely witnessed, but present, nonetheless.

It is mainly used for intense PC Gaming that the Desktop cannot provide.

Continuing...

The next step is incorrect. My Alienware M17x-R2 does not have a "Mic In" AT ALL. In fact, what you are presented with when you click on "Recording Devices" is 4 Tabs. Going from left to right, the first tab is Playback, then Recording, Sounds, and Communications is last.

From what I have determined, you are to click the Recording tab if it isn't already chosen for you.

In the recording tab you are presented with TWO microphone options to choose from. The first is headed by the word "Microphone" in bold letters and then in grey normal letters is "IDT HIGH DEFINITION AUDIO CODEC".

The second is headed by the word "Microphone Array" and has the same "IDT HIGH DEFINITION AUDIO CODEC" below it.

On my M17x-R2 I found this one to be active as the green bars to the left moved up/down just while I was typing to show that it was picking up the sound of the keys.

When I followed these steps, I had chosen the active, "Microphone Array" by either double clicking it or clicking it once to highlight it, then clicking the "properties" button at the bottom. The properties button was greyed out at first, but if you wait a few seconds, it fills in and you can choose it.

At this point I was presented with another 4 TABS that were not mentioned in these instructions so again, starting from left to right: General, Listen, Levels, and Advanced. I clicked on the "Listen" tab and finally saw the check box for "Listen to this Device". As it made sense to me, I chose the "Microphone Array" because I felt it was the culprit since it was the active mic in my Alienware M17x-R2. Not thinking anything wrong of it, I checked the box, per the instructions, on "listen to this device". At this point, I did not hear any whine noises go away. What I actually heard was feedback quickly getting louder in volume! So loud that I started to hear my speakers flutter and make hissing noises! Mind you I had the main volume up only halfway, this mic setting just kept increasing the volume!

So I quickly unchecked "Listen to this Device" and lowered the volume even lower. This made the noise go away.

At this point, I just went in and checked the OTHER mic that was listed only as "Microphone" and not "Microphone Array" and checked "listen to this device" in the Properties under the "Listen" tab and just hoped that maybe that got rid of the whine I would get while the computer is off and charging or maybe even the CPU/GPU whine while the computer is on.

So far I have tested the speakers by playing games/music and they sound ok. Even at a loud volume they remain solid without flutter or static-like hiss.

Please be careful when changing this setting on your Alienware M17x-R2 and make sure you don't check the "listen to this device" box on the "Microphone Array" properties.

 

Thanks for the detailed post psi. While I do not have a 17xR2, I can see where you are going with this. Whenever the mic is set to a high gain and it can produce feedback via the speakers. I imagine that this can also damage the speakers.

When testing the microphone without headphones plugged in using Steam I have had this happen. Very scary to be sure.

If you hear feedback, immediately mute the system.

 

@ PsiPr0:

First off, I would like to thank you for taking the time to re-work (re-write) your post that has been kindly deleted by the NBR system, as I know it's a real pain you know where, I know the dance, been there, done that; already got the T-shirt !!!

Second, I would like to thank you to give me the opportunity to add a step or two to what you call MY solution which, actually, is not mine, took it from a French guy as stated in the first post of this thread and, as websurfer posted here this solution was already used by HP users.

Third, I've updated my first post to reflect the fact that WE HAVE TO FIRST LOWER THE VOLUME OF THE MICROPHONE (no matter which one you use, Mic only or Mic Array; it's the same thing, I personnaly shut off both but only one is enought) BEFORE CLICKING THE LISTEN TO THIS DEVICE box, so we don't get this horrible echo which made you think your Alien SpaceShip might explode it's front light speakers in your chest...

Forth, I would like to sincerely apologize as I never ever had the intention of flooding anyone with a such horrible sound; my bad, my mistake, and while the vast majority of the people who tried this solution did not encounter any problem, I realize that some may, might and actually did (Joker I think for instance) and I would like to present all those people my apologies for that. And again, I would like to thank you personnaly for giving me the opportunity to apologize.

What's left then ?

I dunno but, again, my strict goal is aimed at helping people out, and I think this community just helps us to serve this matter, helping us each other. I think you offered me here an extraordinary oppotunity to fine-tune this solution and, again, I thank you very much for that.

The only question left on my side is this one: Will you ever forgive me for scaring you ?

Again, thanks for the heads up, much appreciated.

Best Regards,

eYe

 

Also, please update the fact that there are two mics to choose from and that the mic input section is wrong, you have to click on the mic, then properties, then the listen tab. This will make all of these instructions particular to the Alienware M17x or M17x-R2. Not some random HP laptop that was built in 2008.

With these clarifications, these situations would not arise.

 

Dear Psipr0

I honestly think you're trying to find bugs where there's none.

For instance:

1. Double-clicking on any Mic produces the same thing as highlighting it and click properties after; in fact, double-clicking is faster;
2. As I stated, ANY mic you choose (mic In - Mic - Mic Array) will get you to the same result: no more morse code;
3. I've learned after I posted this solution that some HP users were using it too; therefore, never did I build my post/thread with those HP users in mind; the solution I provide works great with any M17X-R2.

Thank you very much !

eYe

 

Ok, so you are clarifying it now. Good. So just make sure it says "check the listen box setting for any mics you have listed in the window".

 

Updated.

Thx a bunch !

eYe

 

Hello,

I was referred here in order to get some help with my problem I have a werid beeping noise in my M17x.

I have been having this werid beeping noise coming from inside the computer since the day Ive had it it doesnt cause any problems with the computer itself just beeps all the time. This beeping only happens within Windows not during booting process just within Windows.

Not sure what it is or how to fix it Ive reformatted the computer using A03, A04 and A05 bios after each reformat. Then I've tried not installing software and installing software. The only thing that seems to make the beeping noise go away is if I remove the CMOS battery for about a minute and it will go away for a while but always comes back tho.

I was able to record the noise using the mic on the computer in the link below the file is about 1MB and the beeping occur around 30sec and 1min just to give you an example of what Im hearing all the time.

I just got finished doing a Alienware System Recovery this morning so this is a fresh install and the beeping is still there.


Beeping Noise.mp3

I hope you guys can help me my Dell tech seems to have given up on me with this and I dont know what else to do.

 

Oh well, thanks for asking here !

However, I am going to be very honest with you: it's the first time I get to hear this particular noise, never heard it before...

And it's no way any of the four ones described here, and it dosen't even sound like a windows sound...

Much weird, indeed...

What do you mean by Dell seems to have given up on me ?

Are they shopping around for some teeth's soup ?

I wish I could provide you with a quick fix; however, I just have no clue at that point, and I am very sorry about that...

But I can surely tell you what I'd do if I was you...

I would call them, and state clearly that, for the price they sell their siht, they better support me or else, they might just find that I can be a much bigger, very much bigger pain in their butt if they don't fix the thing than I can be if they do fix it...

I would state every step I had taken to try to fix it, and also what I've been told to do so far by their tech people, without any positive result so far. My reasonning is this: I paid you in full, you have to support me as per the contract we have together; if you do not, I am entitled for a full refund ! (And if they choose to go that way, you can surely get the refund and order the same machine brand new again...).

What's you system exact specs ?

eYe

 

Well I saw that Dell has given up is because they really dont have an answer for me I've tried several test and done everything they asked in additon to the things ive already done and still dont have a solution or maybe im just getting frustrated.

Well so far they have replaced motherboard in attempt to fix it but tha didnt seem to fix it they want to replace the hard drive next to see if that will fix it.

Well I totally understand what you mean and I thank you for your quick reply its interesting whats going on because this computer is my second alienware replacement. I first had a Dell M1730 which after a month of replacing parts they replaced with a M17x well that computer was a total lemon in a three day period i had more than 30 BSODs and theyagreed it was a lemon and sent me this one and now I cant get rid of this beeping noise. I love my specs on this one but i can deal with this constant beeping. Sorr I'll get off my soap box now didnt mean to rant.

My specs fro reference are: M17x-R1, 160GB HD, Intel Q9300 2.53 Quad-Core, 4GB RAM, 1GB 260M GTX SLI, Blu-Ray Burner

 

Oh...

So you've got an R1 !!!

This might explain a lot of things...

Not a contest here, but just so you know, the M17X R2 I am writing with right now is not my first, neither my second, nor my third, not even my fourth replacement, but my FIFTH one !!!

1730M → M17Xr1 → M17Xr2 → M17Xr2 → M17Xr2 → M17Xr2 ​

Now, be aware that, as an INTERNAL rule, AW MIGHT replace, at their sole choice, your unit with a brand new one, providing that:

1. You bug them on a regular basis;

2. Your system has been repaired AT LEAST 3 times;

3. They feel they're better off replacing it completely than continue to ship spare parts that just won't get rid of the problem.

I'd be you I'd go this way:

In a nice letter, you recap every single action, every single intervention, every single step already taken, and you offer them the evidence that would they still continue to try to fix you that way, it would most likely never lead to satisfaction as per what you are in the right to expect from their product.

Consequently, you are not willing to waste your time anymore on this and, therefore, you offer them the choice (yes, you are nice to them) to either fix you sending a brand new machine (which would then be an R2, bad shot but hey, can't win them all), or, they full-refund you.

How's that ?


PS: no need to quote me as my message is just up yours !!!

 

This work-around worked perfectly for my m17x R2.

Thank you! +rep

mfg

 

Come to think of it, I have heard a similar beeping from hard drives that were suffering from thermal problems. After heating up they would trip some internal safety mechanism that parks the heads and resets the device. You could hear an audible beep when it happened. As the drive deteriorated more it would start to produce a noticeable "click" noise at the same time (just like when you click the end of a plastic writing pen).

If you happened to be copying a file to/from the drive you would notice a stutter in the operation.

This was with 3.5" drives though,... never witnessed the beeping on laptop drives.

 

You know what that might be what is happening, I told Dell the following

"My second theory is that there is something wrong with the hard drive that is causing the beep the reason I say this is because sometimes when the beeping happening it will beep rapidly three times in a row but also sound like the beep got stuck then I will hear the main hard drive click very loudly. The hard drive has been clicking since day one and did not put two and two together until I noticed it when this event would occur."


So I contacted them and asked for the hard drive replacement so hopefully this will truly fix the problem.

Thank You so much hopefully this will fix it I'll keep u posted.

 

If you are hearing the clicking in conjunction with the beeps then chances are very good that it is in fact a failing hard drive.

 

I have the "Transistor OFF" syndrome. Called DELL today and they are sendig me a new ALIENWARE 240W AC ADAPTER. Has anyone of you guys had that replaced? I do not think it will fix the issue because the sound continous after I remove the power cord from the laptop after it has shut down. Has anyone been able to fix the problem? Someone stated that is was the GPU card. Will exchanging that fix it?

 

Changing the power adapter will not help. Changing the gpu might temporarily make things better but the noise will comeback eventually. There is really not much to be done.
There are some extreme measures you can try if it bothers you that much. Some have successfully solved the gpu coil noise by applying nail polish on the transistors of the gpu to prevent them from vibrating. You're welcome to try and report back

 

I had a feeling that exchanging the adapter would not help. I will do it anyway and then report back to them. I am not very happy about them opening the laptop to exchange the GPU as every time they open it it seems to wear it out. It is strange how a brand new ALIENWARE can be delivered with this issue. Do they not have some kind of test before they ship it? How common is this issue? What do you mean that changing the GPU only temporarily fixes the issue? Is it a ATI problem or does also Nvidia have it?

 

Both ati and nvidia cards make the gpu coil noise. It usually starts fine and increases with time. (happened like that to me)
The noise is actually a high frequency vibration of one or more of the coils on the card that's why there isn't much to be done except from the solution I offered but never tried myself.

 

1. As far as I know, and as far as I can figure out by myself, they do NOT indeed test the units prior to shipping them or else, if they do, it's nothing else than a pathetic job... I say that 'cuz I got 4 replacement units (YES, your read correct: FOUR replacement units) and NONE of them was perfect upon reception. Some had minor issues (some keyboard letters doing some weird noise and others) and some were really bad (BLACK sceens of death for absolutely NO reason)...

Back to the noises, you already know how to get rid of the transistor ON one, right ?

MFractal just gave you a hint for the GPU one; lucky you...

Now, if you follow the tweaks in this thread, while not aimed at it, you'll be able to get rid of the CPU one as well... (sorry about that... )

Now, you're left with the transistor OFF one, and here's how to get rid of it: just unplug the laptop from the power source, wait ± 10 seconds and you're an happy camper !

How's that ?

 

Well, unplugging it everyday is an option but that will be the final solution. I will let the DELL technicians try to come up with a solution first. They probably have nothing better to do and for me this is free service! I just think that you would be able to expect more from a high end system like this.

 

I am totally with you Pal.

However, be firsty aware that the technician that comes to your place works for a company to which Dellianware OUTSOURCES the onsite service for their laptops, meaning, they DO NOT work for Dell; so, they're just technicians that will work on ANY laptop, depending which computer's manufacturers (designers) their company has a contract with.

If you ever succeed in getting rid of this transistor OFF noise, while I seriously doubt you will, please, by all mean, go for it and let us know so we can get rid of it ourselves too !!!

Cheers !

eYe