"Downgrading" to XP solved most of my problems!

I had horrible CPU whine, horrible headphone jack noise, and skipping/choppy audio playback on my 1520 with Vista. I tried most of the solutions here, but they didn't help at all... I even sent my notebook for repair...

My last resort was to install XP. Luckily I had the Dell XP CD.

I spent hours installing the OS and the drivers, but it was worth it.

Although most of my problems have been solved, the noise from the headphones is still there... but it's not as loud as before, and I can't even notice it when playing music or watching something.

Just wanted to say how happy I am...

I know some of you have tried installing XP and it didn't help... but for those who haven't tried already and are desperate enough, you should try...

 

You're saying that you don't experience any CPU whining while running XP?

 

It's true, XP doesn't have the CPU whine, at least not when I dual boot into it.

Congratz man. Good to hear.

Although, I have the CPU whine which can be heard in the headphones, (I have 3 desktops that even do this..bleh..all custom builds) but when running RM clock, all problems are gone.

As for the audio issue, All sounds cards have trouble in Vista, the drivers lag a little but I have not found any choppiness in mine.

Isn't it weird how each and every system, no matter if it's the same model, same parts, they all vary far and long apart?

 

Thats because they're not all the same, they all use similar parts, but from different manufacturers. HD, Slot-load, RAM display etc. etc.

I didn't know XP didn't have the whine...very interesting, though I'm somewhat content with Vista so far.

 

True point, didn't think of that

Yeah it's weird, I guess XP doesn't try and force the machine into a deep power state. XP is so old it probably doesn't even know about it. Not sure not an expert in the 'sleep levels' a OS and CPU goes through and such.

I agree, I'm content with Vista. I guess it's brainwashed me worse then a Apple-fanboy. It's the stupid features I'm hooked on, hahaaa..

 

I really liked Vista, but had no other choice but to remove it. Oh well, a gain for a loss. =)

 

I have XP and I have the god damn whine. Don't be deceived. The only reason I'm still staying sane is because of RM Clock and its whine-reducing powers.

 

It really depends on the components (manufacturers) of your Dell laptop. With some comobos the whine is really bad. I could hear the whine in Vista loud and clear, after I installed XP it just wasn't present anymore. And I have never used rmclock personally.

I think Vista will be a good OS (after SP2 maybe?), after all the "initial" problems are solved (as with XP) and more apps/games that support all of Vista's features are released.

Personally, I think that a dual -boot OS system is a good choice nowadays, as you can use your XP for games, and maybe Vista for the fancy UI and security features.

 

I installed XP on my 1330 and still got the whine, but the power management of vista is actually good, so im sticking with it