New designed motherboard will be coming out for XPS M1330 to fix the CPU whine

(Just so you know, I live in Canada, so I called Dell Canada technical support. I don't think it matters much in this case since if it's true, it will apply universally to anyone who has a XPS M1330 with CPU whine issue. However, just in case. Also, I haven't seen anything regarding new motherboard for m1330 before in this forum, if I was being careless, please ignore this.)

I just called XPS technical support few minutes ago, and was told that Dell's engineering team is working on a new designed motherboard to fix the CPU whine issue. Although he said it's still not clear when it's going to be released, but he will check and send me e-mail every two weeks or so to let me know when. He also said requesting a replacement is not going to fix it AT THIS TIME since if I did, I will still get one with the old designed motherboard. I DID request for one few weeks ago though and got it this Wednesday and it's no difference. That's why I called. Some people might be lucky and get one that's deadly quiet. However, I am not one of them. I asked him if there's going to be a recall. He further explained that recall is usually for something that will seriously affect people's health. However, I certainly don't agree with this. The CPU whining is giving me headache. Also, I remember seeing Apple recalled their macbook just because of this. (I am not certain though, could someone confirm this?) He said we will be able to request for a motherboard or a replacement, but the replacement will definitely take longer than a motherboard. I asked him if that means nothing he can do now and he said yes.

OK, if you can do this, you might want to call your local XPS technical support as well and ask them to confirm this and ask when it's going to be. Does anyone see any possibility of getting compensation from them for this? Or we all threaten them to return our laptop? (although I was also told that I can't return and get refund since I am out of 30 days. ) I will definitely call customer service and see if I can get any. Those who have more experience dealing with Dell, could you give me (us) a suggestion what we can do?

 

I think I've read this info before, but I never found out if anyone got the new one.

 

Oops, I thought I haven't seen anything like this before. lol Well... I come here a lot, ever since I decide to buy a XPS M1330 and regarding the CPU whine issue, people usually recommend us to request for a replacement until you get one that's quiet. Also, I was told that there's a new BIOS coming out to fix it when I called tech support last time. Although there's no any sign when it's coming out and seriously, they can't call it a fix if they simply disable C4 to prevent the CPU to use less power. Anyway, if I miss any thread, would you be kind and tell me which thread to look at? Thanks.

 

This thread is a fresh start for people needing a solution to their problem.
I don't know in which thread I read about it, sorry to say this. There is a dedicated thread in the Dell forum about the CPU whine thing. I think it was there where I found out the same info. However your info seems to be some sort of official answer.

 

Woohoo!! mine is only 5 days old (as of today) I'm gonna call them. And let them know i don't mind using this one till they get the new motherboards. but i'm not gonna keep it if i know they're gonna make one with all the power saving features intact, and with no whine. Or will I? I don't think I can bare to part with this thing. (I feel really tempted to rub my cheeks against the palm rest right now :S)

 

If this is true, it's indeed good news. Me hopes.
I really want one, but the one i got had the cpu whine issue, and i got a full refund. IF they fix the problem, I'll definately buy one again.

 

While I wish this is true, I kind of doubt dell will redesign mobo just to fix the cpu whine.

 

I can't see it happening either.

 

Sounds like a script that the CSR's are reading... Probably put together by management due to all the complaints of the whine issues.

Wishful thinking, though

 

Yes, that's the point, but hoping isn't that bad after all...

 

lol when you got 200,000 laptops going out th door and more then 80% of them with support calls because of whine issues and requesting service and replacement, you're loosing a lot, I mean A LOT of money, just for the phone calls alone (Pay CSR), plus the shipment charges, and paying techs to go fix the machines, making replacements and stuck with a bunch of refurbs..

They'll definitely will do this.

There was a issue with the XPS desktop mobo's, and they made a kid to send to every owner - free - or they could request a tech do it. Why wouldn't they do it to the laptop? Certainly when you're selling so many laptops to.

 

This is true and there is alot of background being done on the new motherboard. Typically, the motherboard is not made by Dell. Many may not be aware but the same motherboards are in many different systems with only minor software changes in each, referred to as tags which identify it as that companies product.

The motherboard hasn't even reached manufacturing yet and is not expected to for some time because of the many difficulties associated with it. The greatest apparently is finding someone to manufacture it but, there is also difficulties getting it thrown into Dell systems as most systems are built in generic plants such as Compal.

For example, the Compal plant makes Dell, Apple, Acer, HP, and Compaq systems, many of which use the same motherboard.

As much as we would like to believe it simple, Dell just cant say well we want our own motherboard thrown in.

You won't see these out anytime soon as I am told. They are also very tightlipped on exactly what change is made to the mobo. I would suspect though it runs along the same lines as the present software fix and will be a tradeoff for battery life.

 

Do you mean that we're officially stuck with our whining laptops? Although as much as I like the XPS M1330, I just can't stand the high-pitched noise. Since I am a student, I often need to use it in quiet environments like classroom, reading room, or library. I just don't want people looking at me with weird look and wondering what's wrong with my laptop.

 

The logical answer, as much as we dont like it, is that the noise still hasnt been accepted as a serious problem at the industry level. In saying this, I mean by all manufacturers. For any one to concede that it was large enough of a problem to warrant a recall or even acceptance, is making a major money decision that would cost the industry millions.

So..lets accept that they won't officially recognize the problem. Remember now, this problem has been evident in every manufacturer and CPU, at some point...since 1993 as far back as I can trace. It is not limited by nature to newer CPUs...or motherboards.

So lets say, Dell did find the fix to everyones problems. They might just then want to patent it so they would grab an even larger marketshare. Just a thought of course.

Presently the whine, on a industry scale, is probably less than 10 precent if you take into account that, although it may be there, some just dont here it. I would say less than 1% have it at a very loud level which now brings us to our original point. As much as it annoys us at the personal level, it is not going to be recognized as an industry level concern.

Dell has, unlike HP and others, recognized that it can exist and will send someone over to repair it, or rather hope to repair it. They have done it over and over again so, they have fulfilled their obligation morally which is to concede that it may occur.

So they will attempt to fix your system and chance that it does not occur once again.

My advice to you...call Dell XPS Support and get the problem in your system recognized and then arrange for the repair.

 

Got my m1330 last week from Dell UK, noise wasnt that bad but keeps me distracted since the room is very quite. Called up Dell Support (in Northen Ireland lol) and the technician told me that they came up with a new motherboard to solve the issue. Then suggested arranging for a Dell IT guy coming over to my house to replace the motherboards on site. Havent booked a meeting yet since I am working full-time but am sure that the solution is available worldwide as of this week. Call your local support..

 

Wait, I'm confused... I thought the A04 motherboard, which is already out, fixes the whine?

 

It is, and many, like me, are waiting for it to be delivered, and some have already had it replaced. Most of the postings here were from a few weeks ago.

Actually, it's pretty funny going back and reading some of the "predictions" here...

 

When's your servicing scheduled for? Be sure to post the results.

 

I'm replacing it myself. It's to be delivered tomorrow, but all I'll be able to do until the upcoming holiday weekend is verify that the new one is revision A04, damn school. I'm sure others will have theirs swapped before then, and in fact one or two people have already mentioned that it worked for them.

Check out this thread for more information: XPS M 1330 A04 motherboard exchange thread

 

mine was shipped 16th, I can expect to get it this week.
I am replacing it myself too, I will keep you guys posted when I get it.
Hope I will get revision A04 since after finals, I won't be in town for Christmas.

 

Nice. They ship pretty quickly, tracking tells me it should be here by 3:00 tomorrow, and I ordered it through tech support at 9:00 PM on Friday. I'll likely be performing the replacement on Thursday or Friday.

Let us know how it goes.