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    SR Charger Noise

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by teaclass, Oct 14, 2008.

  1. teaclass

    teaclass Newbie

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    Sometimes when I charge my laptop, a weird high-pitched buzzing noise comes from the adapter. Is this normal? I don't think I've noticed this in other laptops before...

    Sometimes, there's no noise. But more often than not, there is. :S

    Is the SR adapter/charger normally noisy when plugged in?



    Edit

    I realized that the charger gets noisy after it finishes charging the battery pack. Is this some sort of warning? From what I remember from reading the manual, it's not possible to overcharge the battery, right?

    Oh, while we're at it, I have a question about plugging/unplugging. According to the manual, you should first plug the AC adapter to an outlet before plugging it into the laptop. The unplugging instructions are a little vague. Do I unplug from the outlet first or from the laptop first? Or does it not make any difference?

    Sorry for the newbie questions ^^;;; I'm just really nervous about this new laptop and all...

    Thanks in advance! :D
     
  2. Duke2007

    Duke2007 Notebook Deity

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    i have the same noise. i think its just how it is.
     
  3. Tony

    Tony Nissan ftw!

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    Welcome to NBR

    I have never heard any noise from my AC adapter... and I use my laptop in a library all the time... so if it did make any sound i would've heard it.

    and I don't think it matters if you unplug from the outlet first or from the laptop first, i do both all the time.
     
  4. teaclass

    teaclass Newbie

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    Thanks for the reply!

    Well, I'm glad to hear that. It's a little bothersome, but if it's normal, then it's OK. :D



    Edit

    Thanks, TonytheTiger!

    After reading your reply, I'm worried again. :S The noise isn't too loud, but not too quiet as not to notice it. (I mean, I think I'll hear it in a library.) It's like an alarm saying that the battery charging is complete. It's that noticeable. :(
     
  5. Dagatech

    Dagatech Notebook Geek

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    I could understand an alarm on the laptop, but the charger itself? That sounds like a capacitor with problems maybe. I would contact Sony support and ask them, maybe go into a Sony Style store and ask if you can swap adaptors.
     
  6. hamud

    hamud Notebook Evangelist

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    same sound here !! i think that normal ????
     
  7. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Well, any charger will make a noise.
    This is due to the oscillation of parts (metal core of coils) caused by the magnetic field that continually gains strength/collapses at the frequency of your AC supply.

    Now this will make a noise - however, although it is of a much higher pitch than the humming of a substation it is noticeable.

    However: It is not loud.
     
  8. ShinyFalcon

    ShinyFalcon Notebook Consultant

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    I'm pretty sure my adapter had always been relatively silent. But then again, mines is usually on the floor, and any potential noise it may have made is drowned out by the SR's fan...
     
  9. Jstn7477

    Jstn7477 Sam I Am

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    Most laptop chargers will make noise because they increase the frequency (Hertz) of the power input so that smaller transformers, diodes, mosfets etc. can be used, which also dramatically decreases the size and weight of the power supplies. It is completely normal for the noise to occur. Just think that it is better to have a slight noise instead of lugging around a 5-10lb power brick with a huge linear transformer inside.

    -J.B.
     
  10. Dagatech

    Dagatech Notebook Geek

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    I have my charger on the back of the couch next to my head, and I never hear it. It's been plugged in and my laptop on for the past 4 hours, and I just held it next to my head, and there's a barely audible whine. Seriously, until I pressed it on my ear, i couldn't hear it.
     
  11. teaclass

    teaclass Newbie

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    Thanks for the replies!

    My friend just bought an SR yesterday. And no, it doesn't make any sound at all. :( So maybe I'll try bringing it to the store where I bought it :/

    Even when the charger is on the floor, I can still hear the noise.

    Oh yeah, the guys in the store plugged the charger into an AVR, and said it can help protect the laptop or something. Is it OK even without an AVR though? I can't imagine having to carry an AVR around.

    Thanks :)
     
  12. Babydarklord

    Babydarklord Notebook Evangelist

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    All power adapters or transformers will make a humming or buzzing sound to some degree. However, if this sound is excessively loud, then the issue could be caused by either a problem with the transformer or the quality of the AC line voltage.

    NOTE: If the noise intensity varies at different times throughout the day, then the issue is most likely due to the quality of the AC supply voltage in your area. Otherwise, the transformer may be faulty and may require replacement.
     
  13. howard911s

    howard911s Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    now I have a different question. When my laptop is fully charged, my charger start to have a faint high pitched buzzing noise. But If the laptop is on regardless charged or not, meaning laptop is drawing power, the charger does NOT make any noise. Any thoughts?

    HP DV3510NR