[calimehtar]

I've got two unrelated problems with my G4 I want some advice on.

1. My powerbook, since I bought it, has made a really loud squealing sound intermittently. Usually when swapping a lot of data on the hd. It's not from the speakers, it seems to come from the body of the computer.... it's an odd sound, quite clear, maybe an octave above middle-C so far it hasn't had any additional side-effects and happens less than once a week. I don't know if it's going to cause me problems later, and this is my question. Anybody else see this problem? Should I be worried?

2. The seam in my powerbook seeems to have 'split' for lack of a better word. It's below the keyboard at the bottom right corner where the hand-rest meets the edge of the computer. There is a noticeable difference between the right and the left. I'm wondering if this will have an impact on the integrity of my powerbook later on, and if I should get it fixed. The computer is still under warranty, so I'm thinking this is my last chance to get Apple to pay for repairs . Thanks in advance.

[The Placid Casual]

Originally posted by calimehtar:
I've got two unrelated problems with my G4 I want some advice on.

1. My powerbook, since I bought it, has made a really loud squealing sound intermittently. Usually when swapping a lot of data on the hd. It's not from the speakers, it seems to come from the body of the computer.... it's an odd sound, quite clear, maybe an octave above middle-C so far it hasn't had any additional side-effects and happens less than once a week. I don't know if it's going to cause me problems later, and this is my question. Anybody else see this problem? Should I be worried?

2. The seam in my powerbook seeems to have 'split' for lack of a better word. It's below the keyboard at the bottom right corner where the hand-rest meets the edge of the computer. There is a noticeable difference between the right and the left. I'm wondering if this will have an impact on the integrity of my powerbook later on, and if I should get it fixed. The computer is still under warranty, so I'm thinking this is my last chance to get Apple to pay for repairs . Thanks in advance.

I would not worry about the noise at this stage as it is very infrequent, but keep all your data backed up religiously... Better safe than sorry.

As for repairs, I always send any machines in for any repairs before the warranty expires no matter how small the issue!

I have a Ti now where the bottom panel is slightly (like 2 millimeters) separated from the middle chassis of the machine... I'll get it repaired when it is 11 months old. For now it has been fixed with sticky tape and all is well.

Peace,

Marc

[calimehtar]

Thanks. My plan was to ask the technicians about the squeal while it's in the shop for the other problem.

I anticipate that the technician is going to be difficult -- she already asked me to talk to the guys at Apple to try to get them to pay for the case problem. Having spoken to them, they want to speak with my technician to see if she thinks either of these will cause long-term problems since Apple won't pay for cosmetic repairs

[7Macfreak]

The squeal i would guess is the hard disk drive. If you can try and work off an external drive for a week or so, maybe that would help confirm this.
Btw, which PowerBook are you using?

[tonewheel]

The squeal you describe is the infamous "sizzle", discussed to death on this site. Try a search.

[Evinyatar]

1. Same thing happens here, but here it's only noticeably when I remove the keyboard and put my ear near the RAM chips. It's nothing to worry about, or so everyone tells me

2. Apparently every TiBook has this; I have yet to see or hear from one that doesn't. I believe it's an engineering flaw.

[calimehtar]

Are you sure this is the same as the sizzle? It's not continuous -- it usually lasts 2 seconds and only happens very rarely. Also it is loud -- as loud as the built-in speakers playing music at full volume -- and unmistakeable. What I gathered from the sizzle threads was that this was some sort of quiet background noise.

And of course I'm no so much concerned if these are common problems as I am worried that they may have other side-effects. If they'll make my hd or cd-rom break down, for example, then I care and I can also get Apple to pay.

[juanpacolopez]

Originally posted by calimehtar:
Are you sure this is the same as the sizzle? It's not continuous -- it usually lasts 2 seconds and only happens very rarely. Also it is loud -- as loud as the built-in speakers playing music at full volume -- and unmistakeable. What I gathered from the sizzle threads was that this was some sort of quiet background noise.

And of course I'm no so much concerned if these are common problems as I am worried that they may have other side-effects. If they'll make my hd or cd-rom break down, for example, then I care and I can also get Apple to pay.

It's not the sizzle

This has been discussed pretty thoroughly in here before. It seems to be common to most powerbooks, and the flat panel imacs.

If you'll notice, it happens (at least for me) whenever you access an https page in safari (like bankofamerica or mbna). Seems to be a common thread.

I panicked when I heard this for the first time on my Ti... but on further research realized it's completely normal, and nothing to worry about. Search this forum for "tibook squealing" or similar (can't remember the topic offhand).

If I wasn't about to head out the door I'd look up the thread for you. There's no fix (other than dealing with it), and it seems to be common enough that getting a new book probably won't help either.