Inspiron 1520 High Pitch Noise Followup

[solidsnake4119]

I was talking to a friend today about my on going saga of selecting my first notebook and my concern about the 1520 with its potential noise problem. I have not yet bought. From my description of what I've read here and on other threads he says that it sounds like people complaining about noise on the ipod forums. He said that his conclusion from reading ipod forums is two things:
1) people are using headsets with an impedance mismatch - and it is possible that the headsets that dell are providing with some options are actually not the best match for the computer. 2) the complaints are from people that have the sound turned way up because they are used to listening to things real loud and that when listening at normal levels it's not audible.

One question I've asked on some thread somewhere and never got an answer: has anyone plugged one of these noisy computers into a scope and determined what level the noise is at? These days in the digital world most people don't have a clue how to do a signal to noise measurement or dynamic range calculation on the analog audio voltage but there might be one or two techs out there with the equipment and knowledge. Anybody?

The only answer i can give is for number 2. No, i for one did not turn my the sound all the way up to listen to the high pitched noise coming from the audio jack. Besides, this thread was created for noise coming from the side of the fan..which was resulted from either a bad CPU or motherboard [unsure about that]. Oh yes, and for number 1, you mentioned how the included headphones are not the best match. Well i used ipod headphones on it too, and it produced the same noise. I also tried a headset with it, same noise. I can't do the last one cuz i already returned my dell, sorry.

[SirWells]

I was experiencing the same problems as everyone else here as far as the high pitched noise. At first I thought I was just crazy, as I usually pick up on the small things that bug the heck out of me while nobody else realizes.

In addition to that high pitched noise, after formating, my 1520 was having issues coming out of sleep mode. I'm pretty sure this was just a driver issue. Whenever I format a Dell for the first time, it's a puzzle to figure out what drivers need to be installed from the disks the gave you, from Dell's web site or the manufactures web sites. I also found the 1520 to be a bit bulky, more so than what I was looking for.

I decided enough was enough. I read posts on here how Dell stated it was a motherboard problem, offered to replace the motherboard and even allowed people to return their machines.

I called Dell to request a return. At first, the woman I spoke to said I could return my machine, but I'd be responsible for the shipping costs. I told her of this actual thread in this forum. I even gave her the hyperlink for it. She went back and forth between her supervisor and me over this whole shipping deal. They even offered me $100 back if they sent a tech over to replace the motherboard for me. I eventually told her how I planned to purchase the XPS M1330, which cost more than the 1520. I basically told her Dell would be making more by having me return the 1520. They finally agreed and send me over UPS mailing slips via email.

So I've ordered the XPS M1330. My shipping date is 9/4/2007. I saw a "dummy" version at a Dell Cart in a local mall. While it wasn't working nor the correct weight, the dimensions were the same. It seemed really nice. I'm just hoping the shipping date moves up some.

[solidsnake4119]

I was experiencing the same problems as everyone else here as far as the high pitched noise. At first I thought I was just crazy, as I usually pick up on the small things that bug the heck out of me while nobody else realizes.

In addition to that high pitched noise, after formating, my 1520 was having issues coming out of sleep mode. I'm pretty sure this was just a driver issue. Whenever I format a Dell for the first time, it's a puzzle to figure out what drivers need to be installed from the disks the gave you, from Dell's web site or the manufactures web sites. I also found the 1520 to be a bit bulky, more so than what I was looking for.

I decided enough was enough. I read posts on here how Dell stated it was a motherboard problem, offered to replace the motherboard and even allowed people to return their machines.

I called Dell to request a return. At first, the woman I spoke to said I could return my machine, but I'd be responsible for the shipping costs. I told her of this actual thread in this forum. I even gave her the hyperlink for it. She went back and forth between her supervisor and me over this whole shipping deal. They even offered me $100 back if they sent a tech over to replace the motherboard for me. I eventually told her how I planned to purchase the XPS M1330, which cost more than the 1520. I basically told her Dell would be making more by having me return the 1520. They finally agreed and send me over UPS mailing slips via email.

So I've ordered the XPS M1330. My shipping date is 9/4/2007. I saw a "dummy" version at a Dell Cart in a local mall. While it wasn't working nor the correct weight, the dimensions were the same. It seemed really nice. I'm just hoping the shipping date moves up some.

Look, when i decided on returning my dell, the lady i talked to said the same exact thing. "you are responsible for the shipping costs, blah blah blah." It's all a load of bull**** to get you to repair ur inspiron instead of sending it back for a refund. It's all a scheme, a good one too. Cuz who the hell wants to pay for shipping? But anyway after talking to them, i got UPS to come her for FREE without paying for shipping and i returning my dell. So don't get screwed over by these lies..

[Walter_S]

I am truly confused. I've read some people say it is on the headphone jack and others say it is an acoustic noise that comes from the side of the fan - that would really bother me. Either way I think I will avoid this computer for now as I don't want to go through the time consuming hassle of dealing with returning it if I get one that has this problem. And it sounds like this is a problem that isn't just on the 1520 as others have said it is similar to other dell models that they have had. So it makes me wonder whether Dell would even consider fixing it with a rev to the mb sometime in the near future.

Too bad, as I've been shopping for a notebook for a few months and I came to the conclusion that the 1520 or Vostro 1500 was the cheapest way to get a T7500 and 8600M GT santa rosa platform. Oh well, I'll wait a month or two and see what comes next from other notebook manufacturers. I've heard a better/faster graphics card is coming at some point, maybe soon. If nothing else that will push the price of the 8600M GT down on other notebooks.

[solidsnake4119]

I am truly confused. I've read some people say it is on the headphone jack and others say it is an acoustic noise that comes from the side of the fan - that would really bother me. Either way I think I will avoid this computer for now as I don't want to go through the time consuming hassle of dealing with returning it if I get one that has this problem. And it sounds like this is a problem that isn't just on the 1520 as others have said it is similar to other dell models that they have had. So it makes me wonder whether Dell would even consider fixing it with a rev to the mb sometime in the near future.

Too bad, as I've been shopping for a notebook for a few months and I came to the conclusion that the 1520 or Vostro 1500 was the cheapest way to get a T7500 and 8600M GT santa rosa platform. Oh well, I'll wait a month or two and see what comes next from other notebook manufacturers. I've heard a better/faster graphics card is coming at some point, maybe soon. If nothing else that will push the price of the 8600M GT down on other notebooks.

To answer your question. It is both. There is an acoustic noise coming from the side of the computer (where the fan is located). However, this isn't specifically only for dell laptops. I've heard of this same noise (the video i posted earlier) on other laptops. This isn't the only laptop with this noise, but as you can see in the poll, there is a fair amount of people that have this same exact problem.

The headphone jack noise is basically standard with all inspirons. [NOT A GOOD THING].... Unless you're lucky. My inspiron had the noise from the headphone jack and from the side of the computer. Just skip it...and go for a m1330?

[stepw]

I've got both Vostro 1500 and Vostro 1700...
1500 came with color shift problem, 1700 is hissing.
1500 to be replaced for now.

[jb1007]

My Vostro has the high pitched noise, it's absolutely hideous.

[solidsnake4119]

My Vostro has the high pitched noise, it's absolutely hideous.

Return it within the first 21 days. u'll get your money back just be sure about urself, talk to the techinical support. and it'll go fine. just suck it up and talk to them Don't get me wrong, again. dell is a nice company . very good i mean. its just that their inspiron line is ****. lol

[bizekiel]

Just to be clear again, pretty much ALL core 2 duo notebooks have the high pitched noise. It's Intel's design, not Dell's.

[davron]

That's great lambchops, but he is asking about a dell.

There is another way using RMClock without killing battery life - there is an option "enable popdown mode" is to be checked, and "enable popup mode" is to be unchecked. That keeps the CPU in the more lower power states. It works for me.

Where can I DL RMClock? Is it free? (I googled it but I see "$450")