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macintologist · Apr 30, 2004, 07:47 AM

I've had my 12" PB 867mhz since August when I bought it new. Just today I've noticed this horrible noise coming from the fan. I recorded it from the internal mic so you can hear it.

noise

Does anyone know what the problem might be? I bought this PB in the USA last August and I won't be there until the end of June. Would Apple be able to fix this? How much would I have to pay? I didn't buy Applecare

anaphora68 · Apr 30, 2004, 08:15 AM

I have no idea what the noise is. If it's coming from the fan it's possible that the fan itself is broken.

I don't know what to tell you, if your computer was built over a year ago you're going to get charged for the repair. I would take it to an apple authorized dealer and get a quote...

f1000 · Apr 30, 2004, 08:37 AM

My guesses:

1. The fan may have come loose from its mounting
2. A wire or piece of plastic may be touching the blades.

wunderkind · Apr 30, 2004, 10:02 AM

Call your local AppleCare service center. PowerBook is covered by a worldwide 1-year warranty. You have to buy AppleCare before the end of the year to be able to extend the warranty for 2 additional years.

jmelrose · Apr 30, 2004, 10:40 AM

Originally posted by macintologist:
I Just today I've noticed this horrible noise coming from the fan. I

Is it Cher? I can't stand her recent work either...

macintologist · Apr 30, 2004, 12:45 PM

Hmm. Do you think it would be ok for this problem to persist up until June when I take into the Apple store the USA? If it's just a matter of extra noise I'll be able to manage. Do you think this could lead up to a serious problem if I don't investigate this noise further?

If I wear headphones and listen to music relatively loud then I won't hear it, but it's discomforting knowing that the sound exists.

Edit: another extra detail: When the fan first kicks in I don't hear this sound. It take about a minute before the bad sound starts. Hope that helps...

f1000 · Apr 30, 2004, 01:00 PM

Well, if my obstruction theory is correct, it may take a minute for whatever it is that is hitting the fan to get sucked towards the blade. When the fan stops, the obstruction retracts back into its original position.

skipjack · Apr 30, 2004, 01:54 PM

Originally posted by macintologist:
Hmm. Do you think it would be ok for this problem to persist up until June when I take into the Apple store the USA? If it's just a matter of extra noise I'll be able to manage. Do you think this could lead up to a serious problem if I don't investigate this noise further?

I had the same problem on my iBook earlier this week. I shut down the computer and when I restarted, the noise wasn't there anymore. My fan has come on many times since then and the noise has not returned.

My guess is that your fan will have to be replaced, but without heavy usage, the computer will not be damaged.

Unfortunately, the standard repair seems to be motherboard replacement rather than component repair. Hopefully you'll find an Apple Genius who is certified for PB repairs and he/she will at least look at the problem without charge.

Good luck.

macintologist · May 2, 2004, 05:18 PM

Hey. Just to let you all know that the sound mysteriously went away. Oh well, I hope it doesn't come back in the middle of me showing off my PB to a potential switcher

AlbertWu · May 2, 2004, 11:28 PM

My powerbook is having the same problem (867 12"). I'm gonna take it into the apple store sometime this week. (Thankfully I have applecare)

macintologist · May 3, 2004, 02:30 PM

Try waiting another day or two to see if the sound goes away. It did for me and if youre experiencing the same noise I did then it probably would be worth more to leave it be.

If you have Applecare, you can always take your machine to Apple, fire up a game so that the fan kicks in, let them hear the bad noise, say its broken and demand a new 1.33Ghz PB

rag on a muffin · May 3, 2004, 02:47 PM

Originally posted by macintologist:
Try waiting another day or two to see if the sound goes away. It did for me and if youre experiencing the same noise I did then it probably would be worth more to leave it be.

If you have Applecare, you can always take your machine to Apple, fire up a game so that the fan kicks in, let them hear the bad noise, say its broken and demand a new 1.33Ghz PB

that never works. they wont give you a new computer if the computer explodes in your face (of course im exaggerating). my old ibook was extremely difficult to make them upgrade. i had it repaired and break RIGHT OUT OF THE BOX 4 times, and they gave me a hell of a time when they already promised to give me a new one. i told them i wanted to speak to the manager, so i did, he told me to hold as he was reviewing the case. as soon as he came back on, he said "sure, we will give you the replacement" he must of been able to tell i was so pissed, i was gunna take a plane to their headquarters and axe that rep for being such an a-hole.