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MaxPower2k3 · Apr 17, 2004, 10:44 PM

I was just sitting here, and suddenly and seemingly randomly a short mechanical whine came from (i think) my combo drive. It sounded really sounded like some noise a distressed animal would make. It lasted about a second and then stopped. About 10-15 seconds later it did it again. I then immediately put the computer to sleep, and it hasn't done it since. The speakers were muted so i don't think it was some errant sound effect. The fan has been on nearly 100% of the time since the Panther update, though, so maybe it's the fan that's faulty? Also, there's no disc in the drive, and the drive is silent besides that noise. the computer didn't crash after either of the first two, but i wasn't going to wait around and and see if it was gonna crash the computer. I'm really hoping it's not the hard drive, but it sounded like the noise was coming from the right side of the computer (i know it's a short distance, but it did), so i'm thinking/hoping that it wasn't. I think the computer will remain asleep until i find out a little more (as much as i hate the idea of being restricted to my PC).

Anyone have any ideas? I'm really glad i got AppleCare at the last minute now, though.

Tomster · Apr 17, 2004, 11:53 PM

Are you doing anything to max out the processor? And, on average, how much is your processor idle? The fan should not be running constantly if the processor is idling.

MaxPower2k3 · Apr 18, 2004, 12:05 AM

nope, processor is basically never maxed out, except for short (and rare) spikes when opening apps, etc.. The fan has only turned off a couple of times in the last few weeks (maybe months), i think, and for less than an hour each time. On average, the CPU usage is probably under 10%. I know the fan is on too much; i figured that was the fan problem everyone was complaining about with Panther.

That problem aside, however, it should not be making that noise, whatever it's coming from. after thinking about it some more, i doubt it's the combo drive, because it would have to randomly start doing something with no disk in it for it to make that noise, which doesn't seem very likely to me. I think the fan might just be malfunctioning and making some kind of grinding noise, which can happen (fans don't last forever). In fact, i'd be relieved if it's the fan. better that than the hard drive (the only other mechanical component that could make that noise.)

rag on a muffin · Apr 18, 2004, 12:21 AM

my fan is on all the time too. im browsing the internet right now and thats it, and it is still running. the fan turna on at about 120 degrees and off at 115.

Tomster · Apr 18, 2004, 01:11 AM

The whine could be from the graphics card. There was a weird issue where gifs would cause some Powerbooks to make that screeching sound. I had that problem with my last TiBook. It disappeared with the aluminum books though.

As to the issue of the fan coming on, my fan on my 12" is never on unless I keep the processor maxed out for some time. Standard rev A 12" Powerbook with all the software upgrades applied. I do, however, use a podium cool pad on all of my laptops - except for the Portable.

MaxPower2k3 · Apr 18, 2004, 01:22 AM

it's definitely not the graphics card. i know the screeching noise, as i've heard it myself, and this is slightly lower and much more mechanical-sounding. also, the laptop is not doing anything that should require the fan be on this much, but the noise doesn't really bother me (my PC is on under the desk below it, which is by no means silent) so i never brought it in. at this point, i think it's beyond things like a coolpad; this is the sound of something broken.

rag on a muffin · Apr 18, 2004, 01:33 AM

Originally posted by Tomster:
I do, however, use a podium cool pad on all of my laptops - except for the Portable.

WOW, you actually still use that???

Tomster · Apr 18, 2004, 01:42 AM

Originally posted by MaxPower2k3:
this is the sound of something broken.

At this point, I would suggest two things. First, back up immediately. If it is a mechanical sound and it is not the combo drive, then it is either a fan or the hard drive. No big deal if it is the fan. If it is the hard drive... Second, take advantage of your Applecare. If there is an Apple store near by, bring it in and have it checked out.

Tomster · Apr 18, 2004, 01:49 AM

Originally posted by rag on a muffin:
WOW, you actually still use that???

No I do not use my Portable on a daily basis. It is more of a project computer. To get the thing truly "portable" again, I have to rebuild the lead acid battery. Right now, it is running with two power adapters (9volt battery hack). It still runs great though and it recalls a a time when I actually liked using Microsoft products. (Word 4.)

rag on a muffin · Apr 18, 2004, 01:57 AM

oh, so its just you fun computer?

MaxPower2k3 · Apr 18, 2004, 10:40 AM

yeah, backups are my first priority right now. i've got a firewire hard drive, so hopefully i can do it pretty quickly. i'll quit all open apps so hopefully there'll be no reason for the fan to turn on (though that hasn't really stopped it before)

MaxPower2k3 · Apr 18, 2004, 12:02 PM

Okay, i'm a bit more confident that it's the fan now. I woke up the computer and have been making backups to the external hard drive (a fairly disk-intensive process, obviously) for around half an hour now with no strange noises. The fan hasn't turned on yet, either. Perhaps later I'll see if i can get the fan to turn on, and then see if it makes the noise again. Unfortunately, the earliest i can get to the Apple Store is next saturday, so I'm hoping I can avoid the issue until then.

MaxPower2k3 · Apr 18, 2004, 12:50 PM

sorry to reply twice, but now i'm positive it's the fan. I left the computer sitting, awake, with nothing running for nearly two hours (fan off) with no noise. opened a program, fan turned on, the noise started within maybe 10 seconds. It did it for about 2 seconds, stopped for a second, and then began to make the noise constantly. put it back to sleep at that point and it stopped.

I can't help but think that if Panther didn't have this fan bug, this wouldn't have happened, but at least i decided to get AppleCare. off i go to the apple store, i suppose. They're open until 6 on sundays, maybe i can go today.

hardcat1970 · Apr 18, 2004, 06:25 PM

Originally posted by MaxPower2k3:
sorry to reply twice, but now i'm positive it's the fan. I left the computer sitting, awake, with nothing running for nearly two hours (fan off) with no noise. opened a program, fan turned on, the noise started within maybe 10 seconds. It did it for about 2 seconds, stopped for a second, and then began to make the noise constantly. put it back to sleep at that point and it stopped.

I can't help but think that if Panther didn't have this fan bug, this wouldn't have happened, but at least i decided to get AppleCare. off i go to the apple store, i suppose. They're open until 6 on sundays, maybe i can go today.

I don't know if we are talking about the same sound. Does it sound like when you bring a mic close to a speaker and it makes a loud buzz sound?

I have the same sound as well but my local apple service provider and apple store couldn't do anything because i couldn't reproduce the noise at their places. They told me i could leave my powerbook for 10 days to diagnose which i refused. But then I found out the problem might related to sound input. Next time when you experience that noise again, go to sound system preference and see if the sound input is using the powerbook built-in microphone, try switching it to use external, and that horrible noise will be gone, at least in my case.

MaxPower2k3 · Apr 18, 2004, 06:32 PM

nope, it's not that. it was definitely the fan. took it into the apple store, got the fan to turn on (with some trouble; had to find a DVD to put in first) and they immediately heard it and recognized that it was the fan. off it went to wherever they service their computers; the guy said i'd have it back in a week.

now i have to figure out what i'll do without my powerbook for a week

bbales · Apr 19, 2004, 08:27 AM

A week is a long time! I had my 12-in PB in about 3-4 weeks ago (screen problems -- boy was I thinkful I'd sucked it up and bought Applecare!). Apple took my computer at the retail store on Tuesday morning and it was delivered back to my home very early the following Friday morning. It was less than 3 days total. So -- maybe you'll have yours back before a week.

rag on a muffin · Apr 19, 2004, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by bbales:
A week is a long time!

no, 4 weeks is a long time. how long they usually take for me.