Whizzing/Humming Sound

I have this annoying little thing happening. Sometimes when I scroll a window down or minimize a window I hear this quiet whizzing or humming sound. It's not that big of a deal but it gets kind of annoying evvvverytime I hear it. I'm wondering if anyone else experiences this, and is there a way to get rid of it?

It's not coming from the speakers as even when headphones are plugged in I can hear it coming from somewhere in the laptop.

Dell Inspiron 6400
Core 2 Duo 2Ghz
1 GB RAM
Radeon X1400
SB Audigy SE

 

Hmm I am getting this on my 1210 too. From what I was able to determine, the sound (whizzing) is defnitely not from the fan, I tried the RMClock utility as well, and tried with Sgmatel and SB drivers. The sound does not come out of the speakers or the earphone. The only time you will notice it is when you start a 3d game. Almost a stuttering whizzing sound. When the fan is on, you will notice it less. I tried running from batteries without success. Runing Divx or DVD movies is fine. You can almost hear the whizzing sound when you scroll wheel an external mouse too. Guys, any ideas on this? Looks like related to the fan somehow or noise feedback from electronics. I also tried turning off the fan for a few sec. for the sake of testing and then you can hear the whizzing. I gotta fly out on the 15th and worried i can't get a replacement in time.

 

was thinking about ordering a 6400, but since you too have the problem i'm not so sure anymore.

 

I have this problem with my 1705 and I am getting replacement tomorrow. some have said it is a defect of the merom chip.

 

I think that humming sound is acutally the hard drive. The reason is that when you play games you use the hard drive much more causing the hard drive to spin faster creating a little humming or whizzing sound. I have a regular Core Duo and most likely hear the same thing as you unless your's is completely different. I do hear noise from my processor but not loud enough to hear unless you are in a completely quite room

 

yup just got my e1505 and it does it as well. When I scroll down using the right side of the touch pad for about half a second it will make a faint buzzing noise.

If working in dead silence it can be very noticeable.

 

it is not the hard drive, it is related to scrolling. odd and annoying.

 

This really isnt a big deal. I have the sound as well but its not something that would make me send it to dell or get a replacement

 

I don't plan on returning it. Just trying to find the source of the whiz noise. I also tried disabling power management for the ROOT USB hubs and disabled USB root hub devices(worked for some people). Didn't make a difference. So what I did today, muted my volume, tried it with AC and battery only, use a headset (no buzzin in the headset), and still the whizing is audible (only when playing 3d games or slightly audible when scrolling with IE). I tried with the WiFi and BT turned off and still buzzing.

So what I intend to do tonite: open the m1210 and carefully run the laptop with the top casing open and the keyboard slightly out. So I can pin point the source. I am certain it is not the fan or the HD. I suspect it may be coming from the CPU or other components. I'll update you all.

 

Update:

I opened the laptop up carefully - my god really carefully. Remove moved the keyboard a bit but not detach it. And ran NBA Live 2007. When the menu and in game video came out, all ok no whiz. Fan spins at this point. WHen the actual game starts, then i hear what sounds like a faint "chopper" propeller type sound. It is not loud but still noticeable. I tried my best to listen and it sounds like it is coming from the "fan" area and not the CPU/GPU. I can't imagine it to be the fan itself since it can spin at low and high speed in Windows XP fine. It only produces a faint the "choppa-choppa-choppa" sound during the game. It is not a big deal to me but just trying to track it down. Fan noise is something we all know and definitely this is not fan noise. So what do you guys think this is?

 

Yup, i also have this problem with my m1210. Sure you can ignore it, but it gets **** annoying especially when you are working in a library. I've also tried alot of things that jyupitun has, RMClock, audio drivers, disabling USB hub devices, etc but i can't stop that **** humming~!~

 

ok after trying many of the things mention in this thread I decide to do the unthinkable. I TOOK MY DELL XPS M1210 APART .

I took the HD and the DVDR out, removed the connectors for the LCD, and thw ireless part. Took off the top faceplate on top of the keyboard, took the kb out, took the lcd out, took out connectors, and then lastly the palm rest.

MAN THESE things are like desktops if you are carefull and read the service manual properly. Not so tough. BUT I WAS CRAPPING in my pants at 6am when i decided to look at it.

SO what did i find, there is a large heat sink shared by the CPU, GPU, and chipset. On each chip, there are either 4 or 2 screw fasteners. On my notebook, those builders messed up and did not "clip" the metal on the fastener for 1 corcner for my chipset! I put it on and slowly put back everthing.

Did my buzzing go away? well not really. It is still there but much better. The buzzing on my end seems to also come from that "unfastened" eyelet hook. I suspect teh buzzing comes from the GPU/CPU, Chipset vibrating with the heatsink? I mean it is coming from the CPU/GU area if I listen from the bottom of the laptop.

Anyways, it is not terribly loud and drowned out by sound when I do play games. Just anoying for such an expensive machine we get this. If you guys see the insides, you will not feel this is a $2000+ computer. Feels like a $1500 laptop to me after seeing the insides. Any feedback is welcome or quesitons about opening it up.

AND GET THIS, right after i put it back on and turned on the power (and ran diagnostics) a foldable chair near my table got loose and fell towards the laptop. At me sleepy state I was LUCKY to swing the chair away hard just before it hit the LCD!!! No scratches or dents, just a sore arm. MY TIP, use a clean area away from other toys and a holder to keep screws and tools in view. You do not want your scre driver poking the thing from the bottom.

 

I have the same problem with my m1210, but I only get the buzzing when the power supply is plugged in. When running on batteries, no buzzing.

Somebody on noteforurms.com mentioned that he reported the problem to dell and they replaced his motherboard and the buzzing was fixed.