Problems with the new IBM T40

[mocca]

Originally posted by: Kangaroo802
mocca, this was your 3rd replacement? How long did this one take?

IBM is very quick. Each replacement take couple of days to get set up and ship to me. The shipping, however, is very badly organized (I think it is UPS fault). The tracking info for the replacements were incorrect so it cost me three days waiting for nothing.

It also seem like this replacement laptop noise is a little bit louder than the previous two. Or may be I begin to really pay attention to the noise.

Caltrinity: Yes, the animated gif make the noise on my machine as well. I can hear the noise from about 12-18 inches. The nnoise is very directional though.

Mocca

 

[mocca]

Originally posted by: caltrinity
Wondering if you have the annoying BUZZING SCRATCHING NOISE?

Or if IBM tech support wants to try to emulate it?

Load this animated picture in a web browser

-caltrinity

Try reduce the hardware acceleration under the Advanced Display option. Just one notch and the noise will be gone. At least it works for me.

Mocca

 

[mocca]

Ok, I think I find a solution for the noise problem that related to GPU. Go to the display property and get into the Advanced mode. Under the troubleshoot, reduce the hardware acceleration by a notch. This eliminate the noise when display the animated gif on a web page completely. And it doesn't affect the GPU performance at all (my 3DM2k1SE scores are about the same, 4980). Try this and let me know if it work for you. Note that the noise still exist when the cpu processor jump suddenly (which I still think is relate to the speedstep function).

Mocca

 

[caltrinity]

Yes that helps. There is still a slight sound but it is drastically minimized...

I'm now really thinking it is the stupid ATI card conflict.

I've had similar issues with ATI cards before where the video would somehow interfere with the sound card because of the sharing of IRQs...

-caltrinity

Originally posted by: mocca
Ok, I think I find a solution for the noise problem that related to GPU. Go to the display property and get into the Advanced mode. Under the troubleshoot, reduce the hardware acceleration by a notch. This eliminate the noise when display the animated gif on a web page completely. And it doesn't affect the GPU performance at all (my 3DM2k1SE scores are about the same, 4980). Try this and let me know if it work for you. Note that the noise still exist when the cpu processor jump suddenly (which I still think is relate to the speedstep function).

Mocca

 

[caltrinity]

But that only solves one of the problems..

If you try to minimize and maximize the screen you will hear another type of buzz... in sync with the minimizing and maximizing motion.

It could still be related to the video card.. perhaps there is a drivers update?

-caltrinity

 

[OldSpooky]

I tried the video trick, and it had no effect on the noises.

 

[mocca]

Originally posted by: OldSpooky
I tried the video trick, and it had no effect on the noises.

The video trick only help reduce the noise related to the GPU (i.e, when load an animated GIF on a browser, move over the links, etc.) I believe the other noise come from the CPU itself and there is no way to completely get rid of it until Intel or IBM release a patch for it. Intel CPU (P3m, P4m, and now P-M are known to generated noise like this, try search Dell forum for the I4xxx or I8xxx noise and you will find tons of posts about this).

Mocca

 

[OldSpooky]

Intel CPU (P3m, P4m, and now P-M are known to generated noise like this

Uh, my neighbor has a T23 (P3-M) that I've compared my T40 to, and his machine certainly DOES NOT make noises like my T40.

I believe the other noise come from the CPU itself and there is no way to completely get rid of it

I really do not beleive it is the CPU. The noise clearly emanates from 2 areas on the T40: (1) in the front where the speakers are and (2) Where the AC adapter plugs into the T40.

If the CPU was the cause of the problem, my Latitude D600 would have made these noises. Now my Latitude's noise problem was worse, but that was because the AC adapter screeched all the time.

 

[mocca]

Ok, I just talk to an IBM TS and he is very quick and nice. He told me that there is a FRU part for the T40 AC adapter which is popular and listed as a field replacement part for the T40. The FRU is 02K6753. I will get it tomorrow hopefully and I will let you know if the new AC Adapter help reduce/eliminate the nosie or not.

Note: now I can hear the noise in a quiet room when open the IE or load up some web pages regardless of power setting. The noise is only there under AC Adapter though (with the laptop/portable setting). The noise has nothing to do with the GPU since reducing the hardware acceleration help get rid of that. I suspect that the noise has to do with either CPU, chipset, communication, or the charging system (i.e., AC Adapter, charging capacitor). I think the problem doesn't exist in the T23 because the P3m draw much less power than P-M 1.6GHz so the 72W AC Adapter is more than sufficient for the laptop. The T40 use P-M 1.6GHz which, my guess here, require higher power usage and the 72W might be on the borderline or something.

Mocca

 

[Kangaroo802]

mocca, this is your third replacement right? exactly how long did it take? I may do another replacement for the last time

 

[OldSpooky]

The FRU is 02K6753. I will get it tomorrow hopefully and I will let you know if the new AC Adapter help reduce/eliminate the nosie or not

I got one of these 02Ks. I should warn you that although it reduces the noise considerably, I do not consider it a complete fix. The buzz is simply reduced to a more or less bearable level.

IBM called me today and asked about my T40. The guy who called was very nice and said IBM valued every one of its customers; he asked me if the 02K solved the problem and if I needed to talk to a technical specialist. I told him the problem was reduced, but that I hoped IBM would be able to isolate and solve the issue entirely. He said IBM would contact me again in 24 hrs.

 

[mocca]

Kangaroo802: I answered your post about 4-5 posts ago Anyway, IBM is very quick to get me the replacement units. The first one have problem with the loose battery, dead pixels, etc. The second one is very badly built (dents, scratches, hissing noise, etc.). This one seem to be the best of them all. The LCD is perfect. The built quality is superb (IBM always have superb built quality IMO but the second replacement unit amazed me). The only problem I have is the noise which exist on the second unit as well. I don't remember if the first one have the same problem or not since I didn't really pay much attention at the time and start doing so when I get the second replacement unit (which is when I started this thread).

Anyway, it take a phone call to set up the new order for the replacement unit. Take a little longer to arrange for the replacement. But I get the replacement units in couple of days after I request them. However, IBM have to charge my cc for the replacement units (which make sense since it is cross-over shipping) but will credit my back for the returned unit (take about 5 days for the whole return/credit things).

Mocca

 

[mocca]

I got one of these 02Ks. I should warn you that although it reduces the noise considerably, I do not consider it a complete fix. The buzz is simply reduced to a more or less bearable level.

IBM called me today and asked about my T40. The guy who called was very nice and said IBM valued every one of its customers; he asked me if the 02K solved the problem and if I needed to talk to a technical specialist. I told him the problem was reduced, but that I hoped IBM would be able to isolate and solve the issue entirely. He said IBM would contact me again in 24 hrs.

So the 02Ks AC Adapter doesn't eliminate the noise but merely reduce it to a very low level? It seem like the 02K6753 is a newer replacement AC Adapter built by ASTEC according to IBM web site. If it reduce the noise to the level that I cannot hear it when sitting a feet away, then I'm happy enough.

Mocca

 

[mocca]

Ok I got the 02K6753 AC Adapter and it seem to help reduce the noise to an acceptable level. With 08K AC Adapter, I can hear the noise with the the "Always On" power setting with in the range of 6-12 inches. Now with the 02K AC Adapter, I have to press my ear next to the keyboard on the area of QWERTY key (literally 2-3 inches) to be able to hear the noise and the noise is seem to be lower too. On a side note, both 02K and 08K are 72W but 02K is little bit bigger in term of physical size. May be IBM try to reduce the size of the AC Adapter and the smaller one is supply less maximum wattage than the bigger one abiet very small differences.

Mocca

 

[OldSpooky]

The 02K is an adequate field fix, but I would like IBM to look into speaker interference issues. It seems that the speakers in my T40 are still emiting some high pitched sounds.

 

[mocca]

Hopefully IBM can come up with a solution to that soon. The only solution I can see is to put a better EMI shield on the speaker. Every laptop have crappy EMI shield design anyway especially for the speaker and sound chip design. There is simply no more space to incorporate noise filter, suppresor, or install extensive shield in the T40.

Mocca

 

[caltrinity]

I have continually been noticing something wierd about my LCD screen on my XGA T40.

You may have noticed why I kept asking people about what they thought about their T40 screens and how they compare.. yada yada yada..

Well.. the reason behind it is that I get this whitish cloudy feeling to my screen.. it is as if someone went up to your desktop monitor and turned up the brightness way up and just left the contrast normal..

You know that look?

Welll so when it turn down the "brightness" with the function key it just dims the whole thing proportionately.

My question is, is there any way to dim the whitish brightness feeling of my screen but keep the nice contrast? I don't know if I'm using the words brightness or contrast correctly. I could have mixed these two up. I often do. So please correct me if I am wrong.

I tried using the ATI screen settings but that just washes out the screen.

Is this normal? None of the other laptops I've ever seen has this brightness whitish overlay almost as does my T40.

Thanks a lot guys!

-caltrinity

I may have mixed up the words up.. I think it is the "Contrast"

 

[mocca]

You can use Adobe Gama Applet to adjust the contrast/brightness of the LCD. It is better than the built-in ATI applet. I'm not sure how you can get this applet but it should come with Adobe Photoshop (I have Photoshop installed on mine). Try search on the google and see if you can download it separately. It is a small program that resides in the control panel called" Adobe Gamma" I think.

Mocca

 

[caltrinity]

Mocca,

Thanks... seems like you me and Old Spooky are the only ones here...

I was just wondering if you or anyone else has this same issue?

-caltrinity

 

[mocca]

Originally posted by: caltrinity
Mocca,

Thanks... seems like you me and Old Spooky are the only ones here...

I was just wondering if you or anyone else has this same issue?

-caltrinity

AFAIK, all 14" LCD have the same problem with contrast. Dell and Compaq 14" LCD are far worse than this T40. IMO, T40 14"SXGA+ LCD is the best currently. Follow closely by the Sony 14"SXGA+ on the Z1 model. The Dell and Compaq 14"SXGA+ LCD look grainy and grayish when display white color screen.

Mocca

 

[Mday]

initiallly i thought that this is most likely a shielding problem and reading the other replies, it is. their crack team of engineers probably poorly implemented shielding and grounding within the laptop which would cause problems. there is no real way to solve this other than going into the laptop and either do some soldering, or replacement of parts.

i dont have a t40, but i do have a hissing laptop... i hate hissing laptops.

 

[sentinel2000]

I looked at a R40 XGA screen today and watched a DVD briefly. It was difficult to set the screen so that the DVD was not "washed out". The vertical viewing angle is very limited - 10/15 degrees max? Is this true of the SXGA+ screen also?

I am seriously considering a Dell with an UltraSharp screen becausue of this. I don't like the build quality of the Dell. I have owned Dell and IBM machines but IBM doesn't seem to be leading with screens any more.

If the SXGA+ screen is different - now that would make up my mind quickly.

Looking for advice.

 

[sentinel2000]

BTW The R40 was "silent". A faint whirr of the hard disk could be heard if you put your ear right next to the palm rest or right at the vent. Also a very gentle air flow sound at the PM vent. Sitting nornally in a quiet room of the house - the R40 was silent.

 

[OldSpooky]

The vertical viewing angle is very limited - 10/15 degrees max?

My T40 is the same way - the horizontal viewing angle is barely acceptable, but the vertical viewing angle plain sucks. It's not a huge issue for me, but I would have thought that a T series laptop would use a better LCD. The colors are better than my Dell E151FPp though.

 

[sentinel2000]

Do you have the 1024x768 display Spooky? Which model Dell do you have?