software-based problem with computer noises --- an interesting issue

Ok -- I've been trying to find an answer to this question/problem I'm having with my notebook (which is a Sony VAIO, FJ270/b, if that matters) and haven't had any luck in other forums. There's a reason I'm posting this in software --- read on!

Ever since I got this computer, I've been having problems with a high-pitched, albeit low volume, whine coming from my computer's harddisk when the machine is running on battery power (there are a couple of other issues with noises on my computer, but I'll ignore those for now). I recently trouble-shooted this, and found out that the noise appears to be software related somehow.

Case 1: My computer is on battery power. No noise detected. I open MSWord. No noise.
Case 2: Same setup, open Adobe Photoshop. No problem.
Case 3: Same setup, open Dreamweaver. No problem.
Case 4: Same setup, open Adobe ImageReady ---- a whine appears.
Case 5, 6, etc: ...open Windows Media Player, iTunes, InterVideo WinDVD --- a whine appears.

Continuing, if I open a program that causes a whine, keep that program open, put the computer on Stand By mode (effectively shutting down the harddisk), and then return the computer to its default state (with the program still open), there is no whine.

Simply shutting down the software program that causes the whine does not eliminate the whine --- the computer's harddisk must be shut off (via Standby, or whatever) for the whine to go away.

I already sent the machine into Sony, and they replaced the motherboard, but this problem still exists ---- it seems completely odd that the whine only occurs with specific programs, so I was hoping that someone way smarter than me could possibly provide some insight into this.... or, maybe, someone with more tact than me could tell me the appropriate forum (or a forum on another site?) to post this in.

Any feedback and/or suggestions will be appreciated! I'm past the return-to-purchaser point on my laptop, which was only 2 weeks, so I think my only solution is to find a workaround for this issue (I'm not counting the whole 'put the computer into standby and restart after using specific programs as a workaround) or to sell the unit.

Thoughts?

 

Where does the whine come from? The front or the back of the computer? I had that problem when the power supply of my old Thinkpad was going out. It more than likely appears when there's a significant power draw. I doubt that the actual "whine" is coming from the hard disk. The only way I could see that is if your swap file does it somehow by being in a bad physical place on the disk, but the other programs you list in Case 5+ are lightweight, and shouldn't be hitting the swap partition.
If the replacement motherboard didn't solve it, it may be a drive that's dying. You may try using a Linux boot disk and checking the SMART status of the drive.

 

Yeah, well, I'll be the first to admit that I don't know where the harddisk is actually located on my machine.

The whine comes from the front-left corner of the chasis (in front of the keyboard). This area of the unit has: the WiFi on/off switch, the power light, the battery indicator light, and the 'working' light.

It *does* seem like it is related to a significant power-draw, but the fact that the whine will continue after the program is closed seems to speak against that -------- and, more significantly, the fact that I can open ImageReady, hear the whine, place the computer in StandBy, re-awake the computer, use ImageReady (it remained open), and not have a whine seems odd. I called Sony customer support back, and am expecting a call from them regarding this. I just want a new computer. One that works.

On a not-so-off note, the computer makes 2 other noises, both from the same location described above: (1) on stand-by, there is a louder whine that increases and decreases in volume/pitch as the power light (glowing orange at this point, to indicate standby mode) pulsates on and off; (2) when the computer is completely shut down, a whirring noise can still be heard from the above-described location ---- which is troubling, considering the computer is supposed to be, you know, off.

 

Have you tried to remove the battery and just run the computer off of the power brick to replicate the issue?

In this instance;Is the computer still plugged into the power source? Even though the system may be off, as long as there is a power source, current is still running through the computer.

Looking a photos of the left side of your computer I see a PCMCIA slot, USB Port, VGA port, a FireWire port and exhust port. Do you have anything plugged into your PCMCIA slot? Are you using a external video source?

Its very possible that whine your hearing could be coming from the video card itself. Its possible, given different graphic requirments/loads of a particular program, this whine could be more apparent then on less graphic intense programs. However, this is only a speculation. Have you played a DVD? Do you get the same whine?

Another possiblity could be the heat exchange/fans. The more CPU intensive a program the hotter the proc runs and inturn the harder the fans need to work. You stated the you can put the system into "Standby" and the whine goes away. Does the whine re-appear after coming out of standby
and after the system has had a chance to heat up again?

Again these are speculations, but hopefully I've given you some other avenues to examine.

Good Luck!