HP Envy 14 - CPU WHINE POLL

My whine is only caused by using bluetooth, so I disabled it and it is completly gone.

Other than the whine, there is nothing wrong with this laptop. I never use bluetooth, so it doesn't bother me.

I have yet to try my logitech USB mouse, but I've tried other USB flash drives, iphone etc and no whine.

 

Umm I'm kind of a newb but how do you disable bluetooth lol
this is my first laptop with bluetooth capability so yeah

 

If you have not done a clean install, it should be set to start with windows.

There should be a bluetooth logo in the task bar (bottom right). Right click on it and click disable

Next, to stop it from starting up at all during startup, type in msconfig in search, go to the startups tab and uncheck bluetooth.

Once done, bluetooth should be off, and the whine should be gone (at least it is for me).

 

Ever since I received my E14, I haven't been following this thread. But here I am again. I called tech support about the whining and they said I could exchange the laptop. Now I jump back into the waiting game.

Proof of actual exchange is here:
http://picasaweb.google.com/111789761950078850682/ProblemsWithE14#5500924502249388962

They also bumped me up to 2 day shipping. Aren't they kind? (Sarcasm)

They're going to refund the price for the exchange when they ship or when they receive my old E14. I forget which.

 

Okay so I think the whine is getting louder on my laptop since windows is taking a rest from the new install.

The whine only happens when doing certain things that I have found so far (Itunes and Bluetooth). I do not know why it happens in these programs, but it is really starting to annoy me. I am thinking about RMAing

I have a few issues:

1 I live in Canada, so I first have to see if I can even get it replaced up here.

2. If I replace it, I might get a problem that is even worse (constant whine, screen problems etc)

3. 30% BCB, so I think it would have to be a repair, so I can't buy one and return this one

If it is only Itunes and bluetooth that make the whine, then I don't care, but what if it messes up on a program that I need down the line? I am going to install all the programs that I need, and if it makes the whine during use than I have a bigger problem.

I already need itunes for my iphone, but I think I might just live with it. I am very happy with everything on this laptop, no other problems at all, and I am very happy it is not a constant whine, or when I use a USB device.

Will HP ever come up with a BIOS fix or something? I just don't know if its possible.

EDIT: Also, I did test it with my Logitech USB mouse, and it does not give me whine when the USB is plugged it, so far just bluetooth and Itunes.

EDIT: Also add Firefox to the WHINE list, it happens sometimes, not as loud as ITunes, but it still happens sometimes. I can't believe I'm using explorer

EDIT: Also add Opera

EDIT: Whine is louder on Battery power compared to A/C power.

 

I think I fixed my whine!

just did these 2 things

1) msconfig -> services -> uncheck (disable) "Bluetooth support service" and Bluetooth service"
2) msconfig -> startup -> uncheck the bluetooth one

restart and voila, no whine. even with a usb device plugged in.

If anyone tries this let me know if it worked for you.

 

Doesn't help mine.

Itunes is the program that gives me the loudest whine by far.

Try Itunes and see if your whine is gone, because mine still isn't.

The only thing that has gotten rid of mine is using the constant loop, which puts the CPU at 20% idle instead of 0%. I would like to know how much battery life is lost and if it is worth running it when using programs that cause it.

 

:ta ma i erehw si ereh thgirla

.emit eht lla tsalb lluf no era snaf eht snaem taht tub "xif" eht esu nac i .em gniggub yllaer si enihw upc eht

.adanac ph llac ot dah i os ,adanac morf potpal ym egnahcxe ot elba ton saw i dias yeht dna su ph dellac i

.erusaelp a yllautca saw mih ot gniklat .hcnerf dna hsilgne raelc skaeps dna oiratno ni sevil eh ,tey retteb ?adanac ni sevil ohw per ph na ot deklat yllautca i ?siht eveileb uoy nac dna ,adanac ph dellac i os

(tcaf taht ot gnihtemos ro) yromem ssel/erom deen smargorp niatrec nehw dnuos eht gnikam si upc eht ot dehcatta si taht naf eht tcaf ni tub ,enihw upc ton si ti taht dias eh .smargorp emos gnisu nehw srucco ylno ti taht ,dah i enihw upc eht tuoba melborp eht mih dlot i ,syawyna

.tuoba gniklat saw eh tahw swonk eh os ,yvne ph na snwo osla eh .ti dexif sah upc eht no naf eht gnignahc dna ,melborp emas siht htiw sesac rehto lareves dah sah eh taht nialpxe ot no tnew eh

.sb emos em evig ot yrt ton did dna ,tuoba gniklat saw i tahw yltcaxe wenk yug siht .aidni morf su ph morf erofeb ot deklat evah i taht enoyna revo yug siht tsurt i

.yawa thgir saw ti tahw wonk ot demees tsuj yug siht tub ,enihw upc si ti kniht flesym i .naf eht si ti fi wonk t'nod i won

.nhguav ni naidanac a yb deriaper teg ot potpal ym gnidnes eb ll'i ,syawyna

.namanihc a yb edam smelborp erom ylbissop htiw ,potpal wen elohw a gnitteg ksir naht ,potpal ym no gnikrow eb dluow ohw ,naidanac a yb deriaper teg ot ni potpal ym dnes rehtar dluow i

.sriaper rof em morf yawa rh 2/1 tuoba gniog eb ylno lliw ti ecnis ,keew txen kcab potpal ym teg dluohs i yllufepoh

.su ph naht retteb %001 ydaerla si adanac ph

 

has anyone else tried this?

I did not have itunes installed before I changed those settings so I cant really say if it fixed it, but I cant hear any whine wit itunes running. Maybe a very slight whine when I put my ear next to the keyboard but that might be the HD... theres definitely no annoying, loud, high pitched whine like I had before.

 

I don't really know what's going on. I updated windows and turned off all bluetooth services and the whine is quieter, but still there.

I'm sending mine in to get fixed tomorrow, and I should get it back next week. I just hope the whine will be gone for good.

Is the bluetooth card seperate? Does anyone feel brave enough to go in and take it out to see if the whine stops?

I tried uninstalling the driver, but with a restart, windows automatically installs in again.

 

Hah, yeah... At least for me, unplugging my wireless mouse dongle made the whine stop.

Not sure where to go from here. Normally I can just wear some headphones and disregard the whine.

It's not enough to make me send back this laptop.

 

Freakin Whine Is Pissing Me Offffffffffffffffffffff

 

Guys, the CPU doesn't actually whine. Search the forums since it's a fairly common problem. Try using woodglue, superglue or hot glue over the "whining" motherboard capacitors and inductors to dampen sound.

 

Some of us are computer newbs...
I am scared as hell to open up my laptop. Usually when I open things up, it never feels the same (worse) afterward.

 

That's fine, I'm just suggesting a possible band-aid solution. There are potential hazards with opening up the notebook, and if you're uncomfortable with that, it's ok. It's better to know your limitations then to try it and break something. I'm not sure of any other solutions without opening up the notebook though, but I suggest searching through this forum and/or Google, to see if there are any other alternatives (other than returning your notebook to the manufacturer).

 

Just thought I would post this:

<embed width='600' height="361" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowFullscreen="true" allowNetworking="all" wmode="transparent" src="http://static.photobucket.com/player.swf" flashvars="file=http%3A%2F%2Fvid442.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fqq141%2Ftornbacchus%2FHP%2520ENVY%252014%2520Benchmarks%2FHPEnvy14CPUWhine.mp4">

This is the whine I am experiencing during use of some programs like itunes, firefox, opera, and using bluetooth.

 

First and foremost this whining you speak of is not a new issue, it has been around for a number of years dating back to the days when enthusiast level desktop motherboards used cheaper electrolytic capacitors in their construction. The whine you hear is either the coil or the cheaper capacitor making electronic noise as it operates.

For the most part this problem has been remedied in desktop enthusiast level boards by the use of solid capatitors, ferite choaks and coils. Unfortunately with laptops you have no idea what motherboard is installed on your new dream machine. Chances are its some proprietary board the manufacturer got that just barely meets their mapped specifications for a bargain price.

Back in the day we tried everything imaginable to stop the capacitor whine on the desktop boards including many of the remedies suggested here. Some provide temporary relief and other like the expoxy, wood glue, and other supposed dampening products would work temporarily. The cap would then either go bad due to excess heat and stop working completely or in the worst case scenario physically pop open and cause an arc taking out other valuable components and needless to say void what warranty we had.

This is not an area you want to play around with unless you know exactly what you're doing as the arc I spokeo of can actually cause a small fire. I've seen too many blackened boards the were the products of some enthusiast taking another enthusiast's experimental advice.

Sooner or later you will have to RMA the board and hope that the manufacturer has taken the appropriate steps to remedy the problem else you're right back where you came from. My suggestion is to return every one that whines and maybe just maybe the manufacturer will get the idea.

I realize you don't know me or have any idea that I know what I'm talking about. I have been a computer enthusiast for over 20 years and have over 300 published reviews, articles, and investigative pieces directly relevant to computer products. If this is still not enough to convince you read some of the numerous articles concerning capicitor, choak, and coil whine in computer products. In this case Google, BING, Yahoo, or one of the other search engines will provide you with more than enough to whet your appetite.

 

SO what you are saying is that the whole motherboard has to be replaced? If this is a design flaw in the mobo, then why do only some make the whine sound?

 

It's either replace the motherboard or do component level replacement of the bad components. Virtually no one does component level repair any more. It's cheaper from a time and labor standpoint to remove a few screws and replace the entire motherboard.

To answer the second part of your question it's the luck of the draw when the motherboard is being assembled what lot of capactiors (as well as other components) were used. In many cases the specs are the same but you may have a component manufactured by an entirely different company than the ones in the same device purchased by your buddies.

I've been searching for months for the "perfect laptop" and have rapidly come to the conclusion there isn't one. I hope the day soon comes to pass when you can do a complete macro component build of your notebook just like with a desktop. That way you'll be much better informed about exactly what it is that you're purchasing.

 

Alright I'm going to see what happens when I send it in to get repaired tomorrow.

The guy I was talking to yesterday (who was very knowledgable) said they had other instances of this same sound and replacing the fan on the CPU fixed to problem.

I myself don't think that is the case, but he seems sure it is.

 

I wish you luck, and sincerely hope it is the fan. There are some fans that make a very obnoxious sound when under stress. It just seems like the problem is too rampant, I'm talking a number of different manufacturers have this issue for it to be a fan.

 

I just noticed mine whines very slightly.
I don't really care though; the whine is coming from right above the fan on the right side and I like leaving the fan on.
The fact that it's pretty quiet and around 21khz also helps me ignore it it's right at the edge of what I can hear

...well this is odd
It vanishes for around 5 seconds after any sound is played.

 

I can hear the whine coming from around the P key.

What is there?, or is it just because there is an opening there (thus causing the flex as well)?

 

I initially thought my 1st envy 14 didn't have any whine but when I went into a dead silent room and put my ear above the middle of the keyboard I heard a whining sound. I seriously can't hear it when I don't have my ear to the keyboard but now my ears keep hearing a whine when there is none. I am still trying to determine if my 2nd envy 14 has any whine.

 

Same thing happened to me..I first believed I had no whine and I listened for it because I wanted to see what all the hype was about. That didn't turn out to be such a good idea because afterwards I couldn't get my mind off of it and only concentrated on that noise. I guess the solution to CPU whine is just don't try and listen for it in the first place..

 

LOL, exactly.

 

Mine has the whine also, but only when I have a USB device plugged in. It is very, very faint, and is hard to hear unless you are really listening for it or put your ear down by the keyboard. Plus, my "old" ears probably don't hear that high of a tone as well as some of the younger ears..

 

I recorded, looped, and amplified my whine for the world to hear. I also made it a bit lower for you older members and lurkers
This is the tone the whine makes for me. it sounds slightly like morse code when the processor is at around 5-8% and I'm using bluetooth (I was testing the whine, it's normally unnoticeable silent)

 

Here's the fixed link: http://dl.dropbox.com/u/2073916/Forum Uploads/amplified whine.mp3

 

Whoa, that is annoying.

I realize I get a high pitched whine periodically, but it is faint and goes away, only on periodically. My old man hearing isn't what it used to be so maybe I'm just lucky that way. I should ask my two year old if he can hear it.

edit: whoa weird. It's actually quiet at my house right now. Both my boys are napping (I should be too instead of this). But my cell phone just went off with silent buzzer, and with each vibrating pulse, I heard a high pitched whine from my laptop.

 

My whine isn't that bad... but i guess it's how high you set the volume on when you hear the file.
Mine also whines periodically too

 

From other thread.

 

I have a big issue folks...

My envy came from the States to Norway trough Ebay. And now I got the whine. That means alot of time and maybe trouble getting it fixed.

Do you guys think HP will come out with a BIOS fix or something to help the whine go away. Or can I replace a fan by any other technican?

 

Can you actually hear it without putting your ear to the keyboard?

 

yeah.. its a high frequency tone.. like those people who got ear problem and constantly listen to a tone

 

Precisely (it's called tinnitus for those who wonder). It's also similar to the Mosquito ringtone.

 

The whine on my laptop is by no means loud. It is inaudible unless you put your ears close to the keyboard. I have tinnitus (had it for as long as I can remember) and I have adapted to automatically ignore the high frequency buzz/ring. I guess I'm...lucky?

 

For everyones information:

I sent my computer in for repair (had a bad speaker on arrival) and it came back without the whine. I know its not there anymore because it was absolutely obnoxiously annoying before, like loud enough that people next to me in class asked why my computer was doing it. But now its gone. I would say this is an obviously addressable issue for repair.

Just trying to support the post that HP knows about it.

 

That sounds sick. I hope they get mine fixed cause that would make this laptop perfect

 

I wrote a review explaining the CPU whine on the Envy 14 I had to RMA for another on HP's website about a week ago. I'm not surprised to see that they didn't allow it to be posted on there. HP really is corrupt in that way that they will filter out bad ratings in order to make their laptops seem better than they really are. It's straight out false advertising if you ask me.

EDIT: It wasn't even that bad of a rating. 3 stars, but the whole post was mainly about the CPU whine. I'm starting to think this is something HP is trying to cover up. Conspiracy!

 

Im sending my computer for repairment in Norway. The whine needs to be fixed. I dont RMA it.

 

Hmm, if it's a problem with the fan, why does the whine disappear when the CPU is under stress? And I mean, it goes away instantly, long before the fan kicks in.

From the websites I've looked at about CPU whines in other laptops, they seem to indicate that it's a capacitor issue, and not really related to the CPU at all.

 

Yea i agree, i really dont think its a FAN issue. As soon as i start doing sometthing that needs like 25% CPU usage, the whine disapears instantly.

 

I was told by HP support that the fan is the issue. Mine is in for repair just for that.

 

It doesn't have to be the fan itself, it can be the fan assembly. The fan needs power, maybe it's along that that there's a problem.

I think we need to wait for a few more people to report back before passing any judgment.

 

I heard sending your laptop for repairs take 3-6 weeks.. and I remember someone sent their envy 15 in for repairs and got it back with physical damage that was clearly done by HP but they didn't take responsibility and screwed the poor guy over

 

My whine has been getting progressively worse... It kind of sounds like a miniature dot-matrix printer now.

If I RMA will I lose BCB?

 

You won't lose BCB if you exchange it due to defects or technical problems. They (HP customer service) advises you to email bing your original order number, the RMA number and the new order number. However, apparently Bing's inbox is full and can't receive any more emails....

 

Same thing happened to me a week ago, so I sent a ticket through their website not the email. They are on it right now but it's taking quite a while for them to respond to the simplest email...

 

Has anyone RMA'd their Envy due to the audible whine and gotten it fixed?
I have a feeling this is one of those things where you'd RMA the laptop and it would come back exactly the same.