Tried your 1520's headphone jack?

I got my Creative X-Fi Xtreme Audio Notebook Sound yesterday and was able to run my headphones, with no buzzing, through the jack on that sound card. The computer speakers are still run through the SigmaTel codec that is attached to the motherboarsd so in a sense I am running two sound cards or codecs at the same time... So everyone who has a Dell Inspiron 1520 should pay the extra 60 bucks to get this easily installed sound card instead of chancing the risk of sending their computer back to dell and getting the buzzing noise fixed, maybe.

 

Did you just tell them something along the lines of: It is unacceptable to have a faulty part with a new system which cannot be fixed through any method except for adding an external sound card, which has only recently been added as an option on your site?

 

SIMPLE FIX! use a GOLD plated headphone jack! solved my problem. if you are using cheap ol' sonys with sliver headphone jacks they transmit all sorts of interference!


USE ONLY GOLD PLATED HEADPHONES!!!!

 

my sensenheisers are top quality $50 headphones and they are silver plated.

 

silver plated dont do anything.. i use a Etymotic ER6 and they are gold plated...ZERO BUZZ!!!!

and i only have the High def. built in audio card!

 

The Creative sound card sticks out of the side of the laptop about the same amount the 9 cell sticks out of the back. A waste for me, as I would never have it in. And I doubt it's much better than onboard audio.

 

uhh No, Goldplated jack, with silver cables, and custom made Wooden headphones - Interference like crazy.

Only way I can lessen the noise is to increase the Impedence of the headphones. It's a hardware issue.

 

well i also am using a d820 and not a 1520 but my buzz issues was solved by using these headphones so i don't know!

 

For what it's worth... my 1520 has zero noise from the headphone jack... was doing a webcam chat with my father the other day using a cheapo pair or headphones (with built-in mic) and it sounded fantastic.

 

I think people are exaggerating this 'headphone jack noise' issue.

 

I assure you, we are not. My headphone jack sounds like someone is sending a message via morse code, with loads of static laid on top.

 

try using headphones with a gold plated connector!

 

quite true stella. I get better sound from my wife's inspiron 6000 with it's crappy ac97 audio. the "HD" on the 1520 is completely ruined by the faulty hardware on the 1520. Very Disappointing. Don't want to have ro replace the lpatop, but i may be forced to if they can't fix it. Add it to the slower than advertised graphics card..

 

I already have a set of earbuds and a gaming headset that I really like--I just can't justify buying *additional* hardware to make up for faulty hardware. I'm hoping the problem will be fixed quickly in successive generations for the people that stick with Dell--it seems like just some extra shielding might resolve it.

 

I can assure you badboi, that will make NO difference at all. all gold plating does is reduce oxidation on the jack itself. it won't fix a badly manufactured laptop motherboard.

Oh and btw, i just looked.. ALL of my headphones have gold plated connectors. they all have the noise. it just gets quieter when the headphones impedance goes up. The worst for noise has the highest sensitivity, and the lowest impedance.

 

The included dell headphones are gold plated. They make the noise worse than my mp3 players' silver plated headphones.

 

My situation is a little different. This system is in replacement of my two faulty E1505's that i received. I basically said that i wanted this card, and keep escalating me until i found someone who would give it to me. They called me back like half an hour later and gave me a dispatch number.

 

well then i guess that was the fix for my d820.

 

You can fix the issue if you turn on the option "run hlt command when OS is idle" in RMClock.

 

While that works during the time that RMclock is running, the fact remains there is a problem. It still whines during boot up and shutdown, when Rmclock is not running.

That to me indicates a problem, and should be fixed by the manufacturer/ retailer, rather than a fudged fix by the end user.

 

Just got my Vostro 1500 same problem here with the headphone jack I guess I will wait to see if an update will fix this, it is extremely annoying i can hear the noise without placing the earbuds in my ears, it is like morse code i agree with Stella, oh well I guess I will try to run this rmclock software it seems like the only option.

 

I still think it can be fixed with a software update.

 

The HLT in RMClock trick doesnt work for me lol..o well

 

I do too. hopefully a quick bios flash or something.. running rmclock all the time is not a great fix to me

 

clester how do you increase the impedence of the headphones? I wanna try that.

 

I just ordered a set of Motorola S9 bluetooth earphones. Although I am going to use them on my 1420, it may be another option to avoid the headphone jack noise on the 1520. Has anyone tried using BT head/earphones on the 1520?
http://www.mobilewhack.com/reviews/motorola_s9_bluetooth_stereo_headphones.html

 

well i have like 6 pairs of headphones, with different impedance.. i just swap them

it could be done with some quick soldering and resisters, but that'll affect the loudness and sound of the phones too..
I just happen to frequent a forum called Head-Fi, which is about headphones, so i have a small collection of them.

 

run hlt is not a smart way to quite down the whine noise

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=138778&page=2

refer to last reply of the page.try using my settings, disabling c4 state should do the trick.

 

Can anyone clarify exactly what this setting does? And I found a thread about it that mentions decreased battery life--comments?

 

Thanks for the info clester but I do not have that many headphones laying around I guess I will have to talk to dell about this I was checking the Dell forums but I only found 1 post about this problem. Maybe if all these people would post over on the dell forum they will look into it and try to find a fix.

P.S. The guy that had this problem over on the dell forum sent his laptop in (1520) and was return with the same problem.

 

Yeah, people should start posting over there. When I called dell and told them about my problem, the tech tried to reassure me that it was not that widespread of a problem. All I wanted to do was avoid the call tag of checking every component, and mailing in my system for them not to fix it b4 they give me a working solution. I'm sure the techs there have got to know about this by now, I think he was just giving me the run around, or at least going through the motions.

 

rmclock fixes this problem easily. no one should be returning their 1520 because of an interference problem that can be fixed in a matter of seconds.

 

If rmclock can fix the problem, a software update of some sort by dell has to be able to fix it. Why aren't they releasing anything.

 

It's everybody's perogative to return (withing the 21 days or so), if they feel there is a fault. This is a fault. A third party program should NOT be required. These are not cheap items, it's not pocket change for some of us, and we want a working system. Oh and the rmclock fix doesn't work for everyone apparrently.

I agree there needs to be a fix. from Dell. A little corporate responisibilty, fess up and fix it. and if not, allow returns.

 

http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=insp_audio&thread.id=35208

 

Yes Duke that is the exact same thread I saw you can see that I posted one for my Vostro, I really like my computer I do not want to be picky but if anyone has heard this noise it is like some kind of torture.

P.S. I will try the Rmclock solution, will this software (rmclock) affect any other parts of my computer or other tasks like gaming, streaming video, VOIP or any other applications?

 

i used the settings for my s96s which HAD the same high pitched TEEEEEEE noise. Disabling c4 state either through bios or rm clock will shutdown the noise completely(if u r using the rmclock version that i posted earlier). On the negative side, disabling c4 state will decrease some of your battery life. However, for me, i disabled the c4state for 2days and when i enabled c4state back on, the noise minimized to the extent where i have to literally put my ears to the keyboard(a vast improvement!). So now i have everything working perfectly.

You guys w/ the same problem can take my info into consideration. Just try, if not return your dell1520.
cheers

 

Thank you very very much satdog I will definitely try these 2 options before I return the computer I really like it and would hate to have to wait another week for me to have a computer.

P.S. I will post later on today to see if this fixed I want to try all options before calling Dell.

 

I don't see how disabling certain states of the processor should even come into consideration. This is not a problem with the processor but Dell's Inspiron/Vostro design... faulty laptops should be returned to Dell so that they are forced to find a fix. Why settle for less processor than you ordered by limiting its states? The best thing about the Core 2 Duo is the lowest clock states it can run to maximize battery life...

 

i agree. however, when they r putting product on the market, it should be a collective effort to make sure that the product is 100% problem free. FYI, this is not a new problem, most of the HP are infected with this(new and old models). DOES THIS RING A BELL GUYS. We are being cheated and we have to put up with this. HP even released an official statement on this saying it is normal and will happen when the computer is trying to save battery during low voltage states. TOTAL BULL CRAP

 

ONE MORE QUESTION,

so the TEEEEEE noise is transmitted thru headphone jack? or is it something different? my asus doesn't do have prob with headphone jack, however i did initially have a problem with the outside teee high pitched annoying noise.

 

its not just TEEE its like beeping and whining noises.

 

It is like morse code when you have your headphones on and is more noticeable when nothing is playing (audio/video). But you can still hear it a little bit when you are playing something.

 

yes thats it alright. like tee te TEEEEEEEEEEEEEE. so regarding the headphone jack fo u guys, if u disable mic do u still get it?

IF u disable the c4 state do u get the noise thru headphone or if any at all?

 

Hey everyone, I dont' have a 1520 yet however i was very close to buying one until i started reading this thread. I will be hooking my laptop up to my speakers so will this noise travel through those as well? I listen to music on my computer all the time so this is a fairly big issue for me.

I remember reading that dell add another sound card option by creative. If I were to order that now would it be installed already or is it a separate device like some have said? Having something sticking out of the laptop is not what i want.

My other worry is the high pitch noise made by the laptop, is this a fairly common problem as well? Thanks in advance...

I am still hoping to either get the 1420, 1520 or the vostro.. i just would like my worries to be set aside first.

 

since i don't own a 1520, i cannot answer your question fully. I think it will be installed when you order the new creative sound card(it is not hard to install it, u just have to put in the slot and push very easy). Yes it will stick out.recently a review was posted about the creative sound card(refer to those pics).
2.high pitch noise is a common problem(i think atleast 7/10 people will have this problem.It was a problem in my asus. a fellow 1520 owner posted this A/V http://youtube.com/watch?v=s5xwSJJPoVY
3. rest of the questions regading speakers and noise problem can be answered by 1520 owners

 

Well I tried using the rm clock that pretty much fixed it I was going to try the the c4 state but I am not sure how to do that I thought it was on the BIOS but I couldn't find it. Does anybody know how to disable c4 state?

 

ok.. here's what i found out tonight.

1 Run Hlt makes most of the noise go away. It also raised the core temp on this laptop by 5 degrees or so.

2 Theres a setting on the advanced cpu settings page marked enable enhanced halt state c1e - unchecking that makes a little more noise go away, but again, raises the core temp.

3 even when both are set correctlt - Run Hlt (on) C1E (off) there's still a fair bit of background noise - not a whine anymore but quite a lot of hiss - white noise as it were. this is unaffected by the volume control or the mute status.
(this is supposed to be high definition audio? - great - i get the hiss much clearer now)

4. Buy.com are idiots, i ordered an X-FI notebook card, and got a PCI-X Soundblaster card. ack now I have to return that. what a PITA. Seems like quality audio is a no go for me this weekend.

oh and Dell's tech support told me the audio could be fixed with a flee power (?!?)

They said, just shut down, unplug all the power, remove the battery and then hold the power button down for a minute, and all will be well with the audio. needless to say it didn't fix it.

This laptop is really beginning to annoy me now. it's SO close to being good, the faults are just that little bit more annoying.. sigh

 

Yeah, it does actually get pretty warm. But I'm using the headphones right now and I do so much multitasking which kills the noise. Plus I listen to music all the time -

So it doesn't bother me, unless I want to wear the headphones to HEAR the NOISE

 

It also matters what kind of music you are listening to. Rock/pop/hip hop are fine, as the music and words filter our the noise, but music such as classical pieces or movie scores (which I listen to a lot) make the noise very clear.

Honestly, it's not THAT big a deal, but I still think it's a problem that should be fixed.