Inspiron 1520 High Pitch Noise Followup

Just to let you guys know, this was my specs:

Quantity Item Number Description Unit Price

1 222-9009 Inspiron 1520, Intel Core 2 Duo T7500, 2.2GHz, 800Mhz, 4M L2 Cache $1197.00
1 313-5395 Jet Black Color with Matte Finish $0.00
1 466-8372 2GB, DDR2, 667MHz 2 Dimm $0.00
1 320-5461 15.4 inch Wide Screen WXGA+ LCD TrueLife for Inspiron 1520 $0.00
1 320-5639 256MB NVIDIA GeForce 8600M GT $0.00
1 466-8377 160G 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive $0.00
1 420-6556 Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium Edition, English $0.00
1 310-9093 DELL RESOURCE DVD,BACK-UP INSP 1520 $0.00
1 420-5769 Internet Search and Portal $0.00
1 420-5924 Icon Consolidation Application $0.00
1 420-6436 Vista, PC-Restore, Dim/Insp $0.00
1 420-6995 DELL SUPPORT 3.4,DIM/INSP $0.00
1 463-2282 Dell Owners Manual installed on your system,click on icon after system set-up to access $0.00
1 420-7024 Media Direct 3.3 $0.00
1 420-7244 Dell Support Center 1.0 $0.00
1 430-0493 Integrated 10/100 Network Cardand Modem, for Inspiron $0.00
1 412-0917 Adobe Acrobat Reader 7.0, for Inspiron $0.00
1 313-5197 8X DVD+/-RW Dual Layer Drive $0.00
1 420-6464 Roxio Creator Basic $0.00
1 313-4783 Integrated High Definition Audio 2.0 $0.00
1 430-2334 Intel 3945 WLAN (802.11a/g) Mini Card $0.00
1 320-5691 Integrated 2.0M Pixel Webcam $0.00
1 412-0968 Creative Earbud EP630 $0.00
1 420-6594 Network Associates McAfee 8.0 English, 30-Day Trial $0.00
1 312-0526 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery, for Inspiron 1520 $0.00
1 461-3063 No ISP Requested $0.00
1 412-1397 No Productivity Software requested $0.00
1 950-3337 1 Year Limited Warranty $0.00
1 950-9057 No Warranty, Year 2 and 3 $0.00
1 987-5437 Dell Hardware Warranty Plus Return To Depot, Initial Year $0.00
1 983-3090 Type 12- Mail-InService, 24x7 TechnicalSupport, Initial Year $0.00
1 960-2780 Warranty Support,Initial Year $0.00
1 986-9327 Inspiron, No Dell On Call $0.00
1 466-7698 Thank you for choosing Dell $0.00
1 466-3921 No Preinstalled Software $0.00
1 420-7091 DataSafe Online Dim/Ins/XPS $0.00
1 420-7092 DataSafe Online Dim/Ins/XPS 1YR-FREE $0.00
1 987-4817 Insp Datasafe 3GB,1YR(Incl in price),DHS $0.00
1 320-5806 Jet Black color w/ 2.0M pixel Camera $0.00
1 310-9348 Intel Centrino Core Duo Processor $0.00
1 310-8628 You have chosen a Windows Vista Premium System $0.00

 

Does this rmclock make the computer run any slower? Any performance lag?
Want not send the computer back instead of rmclock? it is faulty!

 

Hey,

I just received my 1520 on Thursday (mini-review here) and I've been having this issue as well. I tried using the RMClock fix found here but following those settings leads to my computer locking up after about 10 minutes. I've tried these settings 3 times and 3 times my computer has locked up and I've had to power off the laptop.

Does anyone know if Dell is coming out with a BIOS upgrade for this issue or if there is something I can try to help my situation. The sound is very annoying but I would hate to have to wait another 3 weeks to have Dell fix it (I don't have the on-site warranty).

Thanks.

 

Get a refund it is crap.

 

I don't think its a Bios issue [Software]... it's a hardware issue.

P.S. I'm returning my dell, they're coming to pick it up on monday.

 

Are you getting another one or a different brand?

 

I am considering a Macbook, anything basically. Don't get me wrong, Dell is a nice company and all, but its inspiron line is crap. why? I'm not going to get another inspiron ever.

 

Does anyone know if the Vostro 1500 has the same high pitch noise? Is it the same motherboard? I believe the connectors are in different places on the two different notebooks, so I would think it is not the same motherboard but it's possible that it could be if the I/O is done on separate boards.

 

I am not sure that preventing the laptop from 'going to sleep' (ok, going into c4 state) qualifies as a fix for the problem, since doing so would raise thermal management issues (besides draining the battery more that would be necessary).

I wonder why half the people who answered the poll is _not_ getting the noise, if that's a hardware problem? Different versions of the same MB? Different components used? Or just a different audibility threashold?
I hope it can be fixed with some MBs.
After all, how did HP manage to get out of troubles?

I am waiting for my Vostro 1500 (which, I'm told is a black version of the I 1520) to be build and will call customer care to make sure that mine won't do that noise, otherwise they could as well keep it.

My audibility threshold is like Devil's (the Marvel's character).

 

I was talking to a friend today about my on going saga of selecting my first notebook and my concern about the 1520 with its potential noise problem. I have not yet bought. From my description of what I've read here and on other threads he says that it sounds like people complaining about noise on the ipod forums. He said that his conclusion from reading ipod forums is two things:
1) people are using headsets with an impedance mismatch - and it is possible that the headsets that dell are providing with some options are actually not the best match for the computer. 2) the complaints are from people that have the sound turned way up because they are used to listening to things real loud and that when listening at normal levels it's not audible.

One question I've asked on some thread somewhere and never got an answer: has anyone plugged one of these noisy computers into a scope and determined what level the noise is at? These days in the digital world most people don't have a clue how to do a signal to noise measurement or dynamic range calculation on the analog audio voltage but there might be one or two techs out there with the equipment and knowledge. Anybody?

 

The only answer i can give is for number 2. No, i for one did not turn my the sound all the way up to listen to the high pitched noise coming from the audio jack. Besides, this thread was created for noise coming from the side of the fan..which was resulted from either a bad CPU or motherboard [unsure about that]. Oh yes, and for number 1, you mentioned how the included headphones are not the best match. Well i used ipod headphones on it too, and it produced the same noise. I also tried a headset with it, same noise. I can't do the last one cuz i already returned my dell, sorry.

 

I was experiencing the same problems as everyone else here as far as the high pitched noise. At first I thought I was just crazy, as I usually pick up on the small things that bug the heck out of me while nobody else realizes.

In addition to that high pitched noise, after formating, my 1520 was having issues coming out of sleep mode. I'm pretty sure this was just a driver issue. Whenever I format a Dell for the first time, it's a puzzle to figure out what drivers need to be installed from the disks the gave you, from Dell's web site or the manufactures web sites. I also found the 1520 to be a bit bulky, more so than what I was looking for.

I decided enough was enough. I read posts on here how Dell stated it was a motherboard problem, offered to replace the motherboard and even allowed people to return their machines.

I called Dell to request a return. At first, the woman I spoke to said I could return my machine, but I'd be responsible for the shipping costs. I told her of this actual thread in this forum. I even gave her the hyperlink for it. She went back and forth between her supervisor and me over this whole shipping deal. They even offered me $100 back if they sent a tech over to replace the motherboard for me. I eventually told her how I planned to purchase the XPS M1330, which cost more than the 1520. I basically told her Dell would be making more by having me return the 1520. They finally agreed and send me over UPS mailing slips via email.

So I've ordered the XPS M1330. My shipping date is 9/4/2007. I saw a "dummy" version at a Dell Cart in a local mall. While it wasn't working nor the correct weight, the dimensions were the same. It seemed really nice. I'm just hoping the shipping date moves up some.

 

Look, when i decided on returning my dell, the lady i talked to said the same exact thing. "you are responsible for the shipping costs, blah blah blah." It's all a load of bull**** to get you to repair ur inspiron instead of sending it back for a refund. It's all a scheme, a good one too. Cuz who the hell wants to pay for shipping? But anyway after talking to them, i got UPS to come her for FREE without paying for shipping and i returning my dell. So don't get screwed over by these lies..

 

I am truly confused. I've read some people say it is on the headphone jack and others say it is an acoustic noise that comes from the side of the fan - that would really bother me. Either way I think I will avoid this computer for now as I don't want to go through the time consuming hassle of dealing with returning it if I get one that has this problem. And it sounds like this is a problem that isn't just on the 1520 as others have said it is similar to other dell models that they have had. So it makes me wonder whether Dell would even consider fixing it with a rev to the mb sometime in the near future.

Too bad, as I've been shopping for a notebook for a few months and I came to the conclusion that the 1520 or Vostro 1500 was the cheapest way to get a T7500 and 8600M GT santa rosa platform. Oh well, I'll wait a month or two and see what comes next from other notebook manufacturers. I've heard a better/faster graphics card is coming at some point, maybe soon. If nothing else that will push the price of the 8600M GT down on other notebooks.

 

To answer your question. It is both. There is an acoustic noise coming from the side of the computer (where the fan is located). However, this isn't specifically only for dell laptops. I've heard of this same noise (the video i posted earlier) on other laptops. This isn't the only laptop with this noise, but as you can see in the poll, there is a fair amount of people that have this same exact problem.

The headphone jack noise is basically standard with all inspirons. [NOT A GOOD THING].... Unless you're lucky. My inspiron had the noise from the headphone jack and from the side of the computer. Just skip it...and go for a m1330?

 

I've got both Vostro 1500 and Vostro 1700...
1500 came with color shift problem, 1700 is hissing.
1500 to be replaced for now.

 

My Vostro has the high pitched noise, it's absolutely hideous.

 

Return it within the first 21 days. u'll get your money back just be sure about urself, talk to the techinical support. and it'll go fine. just suck it up and talk to them Don't get me wrong, again. dell is a nice company . very good i mean. its just that their inspiron line is ****. lol

 

Just to be clear again, pretty much ALL core 2 duo notebooks have the high pitched noise. It's Intel's design, not Dell's.

 

Where can I DL RMClock? Is it free? (I googled it but I see "$450")

 

1520 with 8600 gt, 7200 rpm hdd, no noise unless I stick my ear to the fan or I play Oblivion a lot and then I just here a slight fan noise... nothing annoying or overpowering.

 

and just to be clear again... is it the acoustic high pitch noise that people hear when they are not wearing any headphones nor coming through the external speakers? or is it a high pitch noise that you hear coming out of devices plugged into the head phone jack?

and it's an Intel's design problem? Is this happening on the Asus, Acer, HP, Sony, etc, using the same set of C2D chips?

I am not trying to argue with you. I am trying to figure out whether I'll be able to buy a computer (Dell or any other) without an annoying high pitch noise. I like the configuration options offered by Dell and would like to buy a 1520 but not if there are alternatives that don't have this problem.

The M1330 suggested by someone else doesn't get me the 8600 GT gpu and it's kind of out of my budget. Looks like a nice machine though.

 

i'm all good here.

i think it was just a problem w/ the first batch of 1520's.

I'm a lucky mother****er!

 

I have it. it's not terrible and comes and goes. I've noticed something that's REALLY annoying when I have the laptop on hibernate.

It has to do with the blue light on the right side of the computer that fades in and out when the laptop's in sleep mode. Basically, I hear the whine, and it goes to a high pitch when the blue light is bright, then fades back to a lower pitch when the blue light fades out. So it pretty much constantly fades in and out with the light.

It's ridiculously annoying but it isn't always making the noise... Haven't tried RMClock. Not sure if I want to after hearing that it makes your CPU run at %100 all the time and kills battery life.

Maybe I'll just deal with the noise

 

Did they fix the noise, or do ppl still got the 50% chance getting it?

 

I've tried RMclock, it doesn't reduce the noise, it only floors the CPU to a speed where there is no idling.

I've called dell and without explaining, the tech rep asked me to return for a replacement. I think they know something about it already. Problem like this is probably caused by crappy circuitry on the motherboard, reducing the noise doesn't fix the real problem so I'm happily waiting for my replacement while using my current speaker with a very quiet headphone

 

So they send out the replacement first? and then you send back the first one once you receive the replacement? nice I may have to do that cuz the noise is annoying

 

okay just my experience with this noise is that... It's not just Dell. (Hopefully everyone noes this already) It's basically a noise all core2duo's/coreduo's make. Even my macbook that i bought when i returned my dell has the noise.. but its heck of a lot more quieter. I don't know why the Dell inspiron makes the noise like 20x louder. I guess dell is just lousy? but yeah just exchange or return. Im pretty sure dell knows about this problem by now.

 

obviously processor makes noises, intel is cutting too many corners, but their signal shouldn't affect other wires on the motherboard. Of course unless dell also take shortcuts by putting them too close to each other or not using enough shielding, magnetic field from the stronger wire tries to make its own current in the headphone wire, now we receive CPU's info directly into our head. Too bad we can't process it...

 

I have the same problem but does it only happen when you listen to the earphones or is it if you have the sound up. This noise is the only thing "wrong" with the laptop so I don't think i want to go through the stress of returning it

 

The only noise coming from the computer is through the headphone jack. The speakers are clear as day, and the hd and cpu don't make any noise. So, small loss for me. If I turn up the sound, I don't notice it anyways, so no big deal.

 

this is annoying! mine is doing the same.. dell is having it picked up tommorow.

 

Mine had a rattle in the battery bay but it turned out to be a little clear ball the size of a BB. I have the same hitch noise coming from the headphone jack and I can only hear it when I have the headphones on.

 

I got a D430 unit today. Having the smae problem -- my system is whining.

 

It's really, really irritating.

It's less of a fan whine, more of a high pitched piercing sound coming from your computer 24/7. It's not coming through your headphones or if you have the sound up, it's just literally a sound coming from inside your computer.

After I called Dell, they decided to send me a fan?!... w/e

 

I unpacked my 1520 yesterday and started it up. So far it has been very quiet and I couldn't be happier. But then my old laptop was as loud as a tanker with a fog horn.

 

People are confused. There are two different kinds of noise. Headphone noise is a common problem with Inspirons, but it has nothing to do with the kind of noise discussed in this thread. This noise is not coming from speakers or the headphone jack, but from inside the system.

And no, not all Core 2 Duo systems have this problem.

 

My 1720 has this problem also, but it happens randomly. Like it may last for 5 seconds, but happens every hour.

 

put mine in for repair... no luck

 

i have the same problem too..
but mine worst..because they took it back for repair, and they kind of damage my cover when i got it back..
problem still same although they claim they have change the mobo for me..

 

So by the sounds of it, they haven't fixed the problem. I have been dealing with this annoying noise since I got the laptop about a month ago, but I don't think I can handle it anymore, especially now that I'm in the quiet library at school. The noise is sooo distracting. Does anyone know if there has been a fix, or will sending it to Dell be useless? Thanks.

P.S. I would use RMClock but as posted before, it causes my laptop to freeze up after a couple minutes of making the settings changes (anyone know why this would happen?).

 

I just bought a 1720 and I too notice a high pitched whine with the notebook.

It's a shame because the laptop is otherwise incredibly quiet. One thing I've noticed which hasn't been mentioned before is that the noise appears to stop when the hard disk is being accessed.

However, the noise appears to come from the opposite side to where the hard disk lives (hard disk on the front left, whine noise on the front right) so I don't think it's the hard disk causing the noise rather than the circuity controlling it. Could it possibly be the power supply to the hard disk which is causing the whine?

I'd be interested to know if anyone else has this experience.

 

It's caused by the CPU bouncing back and forth between different power states. Read this if you're interested in learning more:

link

 

That seems to hit the nail on the head:

"The C3 and C4 states are entered when the system is idle with no input/output (I/O) or processor activity. The processor only takes a few milliseconds to enter this state. Any bus mastering activities will prevent the processor from entering the C3 and C4 states."

The hard disk access must be causing the laptop to leave the C3 and C4 power states and that is why the noise stops when the hard disk is accessed. I can't test the solution as the laptop isn't here but many thanks for the link!

 

Does RMClock have to remain open for it to work? Can I adjust the settings in RMClock and than close it?
And do I have to make changes every time I boot up the computer?

 

The easiest solution of ALL just turn the "CPU Speed settings" on Max.Performance in the NHC (notebiook hardware control ) and this miraculously solves the problem!! On my opinion it just prevents entering the C3 state.

 

There are tonnes of threads on here about these sorts of issues an the 1520. Read my posting (jrsryder), and the challenge I have put forth to DELL. BTW, I still have not heard from them...........Good job on the youtube thing, I was gonna do the same with mine, but I was so fed up,I returned the thing.

 

Satdog I tried your settings for my Inspirion 1520 that I just bought a few days ago and boom no more noise. It works beautifully man so great job on figuring it out. With that said I am wondering is there any harm to the processor turning off those certain features and does the performance of it get downgraded at all?

Thanks again

2.2 GHZ Intel Core 2 Duo
2GB RAM
256 Nvidia GeForce 8600M GT
1680x1050 15.4 Inch Widescreen