Problems with the new IBM T40

[OldSpooky]

I called IBM and they would only send me the same one. How did you get the different FRU T23 one.

They first sent me a FRU 08K, but it had the same problem as the one that came with my T40, so I convinced the customer service rep to send me the 02K.

Here are some further observations:

The high pitched noise is reduced, but still audible if I am not dirrectly in front of the T40. If I am typing at it, I hear nothing, but if I am sitting with my right ear facing the left side, I can hear a high pitched tone (but no chirping).

The 02K (revision F) buzzes when plugged into the wall but disconnected from the T40. Gah, I can't seem to get a perfect solution. The 02K is just satisfactory enough for me to keep it, since it is quiet when I am actually doing work on my T40.

I installed an extra 256 MB soDIMM and am testing the machine with Prime95's torture test. So far, the test has been running for 1 hr with no problems. T40 is warm, but not hot anywhere.

 

[caltrinity]

Yup.. I dropped IBM.. too much hassle.. they wouldn't even give me another replacement.. can you believe that?

I purchased this:
http://webshop.fujitsupc.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=S6D

Much cheaper.. and lighter!

-caltrinity

Originally posted by: Kangaroo802

Originally posted by: caltrinity
kangaroo,

Thank you for your update... I don't know now... I'm really at a lost here... because I love IBM but then their display seems to be subpar and they seem to have problems with the buzzing and all...

Where else can I turn? If IBM is supposed to be the best... I can't find another sub 5lbs laptop...

can I?

Thanks.

IF YOU COULD, please comment in more detail about the SXGA+ screen.. I mean.. far can you move the lcd screen before everything gets discolored and hard to see.. in a DVD? that's my main problem.. some of the new widescreen LCDs man.. those are awesome.. you can literally see a clear clean picture from like 160 degrees..


-caltrinity

i move about 80 degrees and the color is distorted.

you know what? I bought a windows laptop because i thought i wanted to continue to use windows for my software i need. I'm strongly looking into a powerbook again, because of the annoying things on this ibm.

 

[OldSpooky]

Let us know how the fujitsu compares to the T40. Hope you have good luck with that one!

 

[caltrinity]

I will.. at least it has 54mbps wireless G.

And it costs way less.. so I'm looking forward to getting it.

I will wait it out until IBM fixes all the bugs on these T40s.. it looks like the majority of the problems are coming from the ones made in China.

Since yours is fine and made in Mexico.

-caltrinity

 

[sentinel2000]

 

[sentinel2000]

kangaroo is that +_80 degrees or +- 40 degrees. The Dell UltraSharps are about +-60 degrees horizontally according to Dell specs.

 

[Kangaroo802]

Originally posted by: caltrinity
Yup.. I dropped IBM.. too much hassle.. they wouldn't even give me another replacement.. can you believe that?

Who did you purchase from originally? IBM is willing to give me another replacement again, i asked. They said as many times as i want. I bought mine directly from IBM.

I decided im gonna keep mine beacuse in all actually, this laptop is amazing, and now with my replacement it is functionally flawlessly (my other one did too until 5 days), but we'll see.

The only complaints i have now are shear cosmetic problems that are not really a big deal anyways. But if i really get annoyed ill try and get a new one within my 30 days.

I think after my first one dying and looking on this forum so much i have become very anal about my laptop, more than i need to be =). It's working fine and really is not messed up =).

cal, you can buy your own MINIPCI card later to get 802.11g in your T40. I doubt this fuji one is going to be as nice as your T40.

 

[Kangaroo802]

Originally posted by: sentinel2000
kangaroo is that +_80 degrees or +- 40 degrees. The Dell UltraSharps are about +-60 degrees horizontally according to Dell specs.

80 degrees left and right horizontally

 

[caltrinity]

I was originally going to go for the Fujitsu S6120 before all this IBM stuff... so I knew in the back of my mind that IBM was better yada yada yada.. and I STILL believe that.. but I just think I should wait until the prices go down for the 1.6 versions and they fix out all the kinks...

So I'm getting the S6120D in the meantime... I might just keep it.. if it turns out good.. It's a nice machine according to reviews.

UNFORTUNATELY, I did not get it from IBM. I got it from Euclid Computers.. which BTW.. HAS TERRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE. They may have reasonable prices, but trust me.. order from someone else..

Oh.. and also, another reason I'm dropping IBM is because I got my new IBM adapter the DELTA branded one and that didn't solve the problem at all. same thing.

And then I called IBM Support and they wouldn't even give me a replacement even though my unit is like 3 weeks old. So I had them escalate it up.. and hopefully they will send me a new one. and when that one comes.. we'll just have to see.. I might just give it away to my bro or something.

-caltrinity

Originally posted by: Kangaroo802

Originally posted by: caltrinity
Yup.. I dropped IBM.. too much hassle.. they wouldn't even give me another replacement.. can you believe that?

Who did you purchase from originally? IBM is willing to give me another replacement again, i asked. They said as many times as i want. I bought mine directly from IBM.

I decided im gonna keep mine beacuse in all actually, this laptop is amazing, and now with my replacement it is functionally flawlessly (my other one did too until 5 days), but we'll see.

The only complaints i have now are shear cosmetic problems that are not really a big deal anyways. But if i really get annoyed ill try and get a new one within my 30 days.

I think after my first one dying and looking on this forum so much i have become very anal about my laptop, more than i need to be =). It's working fine and really is not messed up =).

cal, you can buy your own MINIPCI card later to get 802.11g in your T40. I doubt this fuji one is going to be as nice as your T40.

 

[sentinel2000]

Kangaroo +-80 degrees horizontally is excellent. What is the +_ on the vertical orientation?

Thanks for your replies.

 

[brandonl]

I had a Vaio that hissed when the AC Adapter was plugged in .. not when out tho. Never had a problem.

 

[OldSpooky]

I noticed that the electrical noise from my current AC adapter is very dirrectional. I've been thinking about Monsoon flat panel speakers - they produce sound by passing an electric current through a conducting plate IIRC... maybe my AC is doing the same thing.

 

[OldSpooky]

Update on noise experiments:

A poster on the IBM forums (and on Ars Technica) who goes by the nickname "Monakh" reported that he beleives the T40's speakers are responsible for much of the T40's buzzing noises. Although I was skeptical at first, I am more inclined to beleive him after running the following test:

Conditions: T40 is plugged into AC and Ethernet
(1) Put the machine into standby mode.
(2) Listen to the front of the machine where the speakers are - there is a low sounding buzz that you would not be able to hear unless your ears are right up against the speakers.
(3) Unplug the T40 from AC while keeping the machine in standby. The low buzzing tone quickly turns into a higher pitched and louder tone that is audible further (at least 30 cm) away from the speakers .

I have also listened closely to the speakers while the computer is on. The electric chirping noises reported, as well as a high pitched whine, are audible above the normal whir of the HDD. The noises appear to fluctuate with HDD activity. When the T40 is on battery power, the noise from the speakers gets worse.

 

[caltrinity]

OldSpooky,

Thank you for your continued attention and help.

I have posted your message at the IBM support forum.

I also think that the speakers have something to do with it.. HOWEVER, the speakers are just passing on some sort of interference with the VIDEO card or something to do with the display.. the T40 screams buzzes like crazy when there is a graphic intensive application, hence my initial findings about scrolling and rolling over color changing links and minimizing and maximizing a screen.. see here and I quote:

"However, I have something to add. Shamefully I'm a windowblinds fan and 4.0 is pretty nice. However i noticed that running windowblinds 4 under WinXP and using a full skin caused the sounds to get seriously out of hand. Selecting drop down boxes under the display properties, websites, anywhere would cause audible screaming from my T40. It reached its worst when i had windowblinds 4.0 running and then I tried to start up Age of Mythology. When it reached the menu screen, my computer unleashed a terrible wail which sounded like it included some serious work being done by the fan. (additionally WinXP would crash with a stop error). Once I uninstalled windowblinds the noises became more manageable but they are still there and becoming more and more annoying. (still l could never get Age of Mythology to run properly). Due to the noise being exacerbated by any sort of graphical function, I suspect the culprit here is the GPU and/or GPU cooling system. But it seems that everyone has different reports and hunches. "


ALSO, I URGE all people with problems to call into IBM support and ESCALATE the problem. That is the ONLY way we can get a resolution.

IBM needs a big audience in order to get them to admit and shove out the money and service for all of us to get replacements.

-caltrinity

Originally posted by: OldSpooky
Update on noise experiments:

A poster on the IBM forums (and on Ars Technica) who goes by the nickname "Monakh" reported that he beleives the T40's speakers are responsible for much of the T40's buzzing noises. Although I was skeptical at first, I am more inclined to beleive him after running the following test:

Conditions: T40 is plugged into AC and Ethernet
(1) Put the machine into standby mode.
(2) Listen to the front of the machine where the speakers are - there is a low sounding buzz that you would not be able to hear unless your ears are right up against the speakers.
(3) Unplug the T40 from AC while keeping the machine in standby. The low buzzing tone quickly turns into a higher pitched and louder tone that is audible further (at least 30 cm) away from the speakers .

I have also listened closely to the speakers while the computer is on. The electric chirping noises reported, as well as a high pitched whine, are audible above the normal whir of the HDD. The noises appear to fluctuate with HDD activity. When the T40 is on battery power, the noise from the speakers gets worse.

 

[mocca]

I just recieve my replacement unit. This one have the noise problem as well. However, the noise is non-exist when use the "Laptop/Portable" power setting in the Windows. The noise is noticeable when booting up the Windows though. FWIW, I believe the problem exist for every laptop manufacturer (or most of them anyway). I used Dell Inspiron 4xxx, Compaq Evo n620c, and now this IBM T40. They all have the intermittent electrical noise. The good thing is that the noise level on the T40 is very low compare to other models I mentioned. The I4xxx and n610c use P3m and P4m and both have the noise problem. The n620c use the P-M and have the noise problem too (and a very loud one I might add). The problem might have to do with the speedstep function or GPU (i.e., graphic card).

To summary:

Dell Inspiron 4xxx: P3m and P4m with ATI M7 -> noise is audible in the range of 12 inches.
Compaq Evo n620c: P-M with ATI M7 -> noise is audible in the range of 12-18 inches.
IBM T40: P-M with ATI M9 -> noise is audible only when load on the processor jump up or mouseover some links on the browser. Range about 6 inches. The noise usually cannot be heard with the "Laptop/Portable" power setting.

Mocca

 

[caltrinity]

I don't know if this link will work.. but check here for latest updates for the official IBM Support Forum.

http://www7.pc.ibm.com/~Thinkpad/read?212999,30


otherwise register here:
http://www7.pc.ibm.com/~Thinkpad/login

-caltrinity

 

[caltrinity]

No. The buzz is unacceptable.. even the cheap Sotec $599 laptop does not have that sound exteriorly.

WE're talking about the top of the line notebook from IBM.. over 4X the price.

-caltrinity

Originally posted by: mocca
I just recieve my replacement unit. This one have the noise problem as well. However, the noise is non-exist when use the "Laptop/Portable" power setting in the Windows. The noise is noticeable when booting up the Windows though. FWIW, I believe the problem exist for every laptop manufacturer (or most of them anyway). I used Dell Inspiron 4xxx, Compaq Evo n620c, and now this IBM T40. They all have the intermittent electrical noise. The good thing is that the noise level on the T40 is very low compare to other models I mentioned. The I4xxx and n610c use P3m and P4m and both have the noise problem. The n620c use the P-M and have the noise problem too (and a very loud one I might add). The problem might have to do with the speedstep function or GPU (i.e., graphic card).

To summary:

Dell Inspiron 4xxx: P3m and P4m with ATI M7 -> noise is audible in the range of 12 inches.
Compaq Evo n620c: P-M with ATI M7 -> noise is audible in the range of 12-18 inches.
IBM T40: P-M with ATI M9 -> noise is audible only when load on the processor jump up or mouseover some links on the browser. Range about 6 inches. The noise usually cannot be heard with the "Laptop/Portable" power setting.

Mocca

 

[mocca]

Trust me, I know exactly what do you mean. I've been searching for the perfect laptop for nearly 1 1/2 year now and this T40 is the best of all that I had (Toshiba 3005-S303, Sony GR370, GRX570, Dell I4150, VprMatrix200A5, Compaq Evo N610c, N620c). The noise in the T40 is there but acceptable to me now that I realize every mfg (Dell and Compaq at least) have the same problem. Dell have had this problem for nearly two years and still no solution. I wish there is a simple solution to this problem and IBM will issue a software patch that will solve the problem soon. However, the truth might be that the problem is hard to identify (different people have different hearing capability) and even harder to find the source of the problem. Here is what I think is the main candidates of the source of the problem.

1) Bad shielding design
2) Charging capacitor in the laptop create noise
3) GPU
4) Speedstep function (other owners with P-M 1.3GHz and 1.5GHz should post here whether they have problem or not to rule out this source of problem).

And trust me the top of the line I4xxx and Compaq Evo N620c have worse noise level. And the Compaq N620c cost $2500 excluding tax.

Mocca

 

[caltrinity]

Mocca,

How does the screen on VprMatrix200A5 compare to T40 XGA screen in terms of viewing angles horiz. and vert.

Another thing that I don't like is the terrible viewing angles on laptops.. except of course for the Dell ULTRA SHARP UXGA+ models like the Inpirion 8200..

I wish IBM would come out with a ULTRA SHARP LCD.


-caltrinity

 

[caltrinity]

Mocca,

I think your sound is not as bad as mine.

Because I still get it with the LAPTOP/PORTABLE power scheme..

The intensity doesn't change by power setting for me.

This is absolutely unacceptable... not all laptops do this.

In out of all the laptops I've owned, this is the first.

Don't get me wrong, performance-wise, I love the T40..

But it just needs two changes:
1) GET RID OF THE BUZZING
2) ULTRA SHARP UXGA+ screen with better viewing angles.


And I don't think I'm expecting too much.. when I know that Dell has done it with the Inpirion 8200 and its awesome screen...

-caltrinity

 

[mocca]

Originally posted by: caltrinity
Mocca,

How does the screen on VprMatrix200A5 compare to T40 XGA screen in terms of viewing angles horiz. and vert.

Another thing that I don't like is the terrible viewing angles on laptops.. except of course for the Dell ULTRA SHARP UXGA+ models like the Inpirion 8200..

I wish IBM would come out with a ULTRA SHARP LCD.


-caltrinity

The screen on the vprmatrix200A5 is the same as that on the Apple 15"PB. AFAIK, there is no ultrasharp LCD for 14". IBM T40 IMO have the best SXGA+ LCD. The Dell and Compaq 14" SXGA+ LCD is far inferior compare to the IBM T40 14" SXGA+ LCD.

Oh, I forgot to mentioned that I found that many Dell D600 and D800 owners have the noise problems as well (not sure if it is the same problem or not).

Mocca

 

[caltrinity]

Yes, but how does the 200A5 screen compare to the T40 screen in terms of viewing angles.

-caltrinity

The screen on the vprmatrix200A5 is the same as that on the Apple 15"PB. AFAIK, there is no ultrasharp LCD for 14". IBM T40 IMO have the best SXGA+ LCD. The Dell and Compaq 14" SXGA+ LCD is far inferior compare to the IBM T40 14" SXGA+ LCD.

Oh, I forgot to mentioned that I found that many Dell D600 and D800 owners have the noise problems as well (not sure if it is the same problem or not).

Mocca

 

[mocca]

Originally posted by: caltrinity
Yes, but how does the 200A5 screen compare to the T40 screen in terms of viewing angles.

-caltrinity

The screen on the vprmatrix200A5 is the same as that on the Apple 15"PB. AFAIK, there is no ultrasharp LCD for 14". IBM T40 IMO have the best SXGA+ LCD. The Dell and Compaq 14" SXGA+ LCD is far inferior compare to the IBM T40 14" SXGA+ LCD.

Oh, I forgot to mentioned that I found that many Dell D600 and D800 owners have the noise problems as well (not sure if it is the same problem or not).

Mocca

It is hard to compare them. Both have similar viewing angle. But I think the 15"WS LCD on the Vprmatrix200A5 is a little better in term of color saturation. You can just stop by at an apple store and try looking at their 15"PB LCD. They are almost identical to that of VprMatrix200A5. The T40 14"SXGA+ screen is cleaer though (i.e., it display pure white for the white color screen).

Mocca

P.S. I remember saw many posts on the Apple discussion forum about the electrical noise problem in the new PB line notebook too FWIW.

 

[Kangaroo802]

mocca, this was your 3rd replacement? How long did this one take?

 

[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