Dell High Pitch Squeal Issue Resolved

I ran into some information on a Dell site, copied below, and then confirmed with a Dell source. Dell has a motherboard revision, termed A04, which now eliminates the high pitch squealing apparent in some systems.

For those who plan on requesting any replacement, you need to speak with the tech and quote the motherboard revision number to ensure it is the one sent.

I am told the revision apparently downclocks the processor so I am believing it my be a similar trick as RMClock used.

If anyone has obtained this revision, I would be very interested in hearing opinions on the battery life with the new mobo.

 

have any info if this for all models? (13xx 14xx 15xx 17xx)

 

Presently, its only for the M1330.

 

I am receiving my replacement this week and it is supposed to be with the new motherboard to fix the cpu whine, this is what the dell tech support told me that is why he requested the replacement so that it would have the new motherboard

 

thanks for the info hopefully it works on my 1330

 

is there any way to tell what motherboard you have?

I ordered my M1330 on Sunday, but after credit card problems it was re-ordered yesterday!

So hopefully I'll have this new mobo when I get mine, but would like to double check if I can.

 

correct me if i'm wrong but both downclocking and the fact that it's called "A04" sounds more like a bios update than a new motherboard

 

I have the whine with the T7100 processor. If i call up Dell would they replace the T7100 with the T7250 as they dont offer the T7100 anymore?

 

still no solution for 1520.... zzzz

 

It is the motherboard...see the attached Dell post that is from a Dell Rep

 

Is video integrated onto the motherboard? I talked to dell tech support last night and she said Nvidia video is separate from the motherboard. She will order a motherboard replacement for me after complaining about the whine sound.

 

The video card is integrated so yes....

 

So there should be 2 versions of the motherboards. Can anyone confirm if there are 2 part numbers for the motherboards?

 

Hardware has revision numbers as well.

 

The GPU will be integrated into the motherboard, as far as I know the M1330 does not feature an upgradeable GPU (like some DELL notebooks do).

They will know which motherboard to send you! Just have a look at it when the guy is fitting at and double check it has the NVIDIA GPU! If it doesn't ask the technition, and he will tell you if he's gonna take out your old one and put it into the new motherboard.

TBH, DELL should know which mobo to send you, so I wouldn't worry about it!

 

How do we tell what version Mobo we currently have?

 

on the bottom of the M1330, there's a white sticker with "REV A01" on it, and a black sticker bottom right corner says DELL LBL PIN: X5030 A01. I don't know if that's for mobo, just guessing. Can anyone confirm? I am going to call Dell tomorrow and request for a new mobo. Finally....

I found the thread that flamko was referring to on Dell forum: http://www.dellcommunity.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=Tech_Talk_XPS&thread.id=20241

Just remove the bottom memory and you can find out what revision of the motherboard you have.

 

that would be a nice x-mas present, so would lead free toys but I don't see either one coming true.

 

Do they replace the entire machine or just the motherboard? Do they send a tech to your house or ask it to be sent back?

 

motherboard/tech/house/yes

 

Just because a Dell rep said something doesn't mean it's correct.

I'm pretty sure I've seen posts on here about some BIOS revision correcting this problem.

EDIT: Maybe it was a motherboard revision and I just thought it was a BIOS revision; I don't know anymore....

Also I'm surprised if they use the same revision numbering scheme for motherboard revisions as for BIOS revisions. (I'm not saying they don't; I'm just saying it's dumb if they do. )

 

If they used the same bios revison we would be going backwards now wouldn't we?

I was told by a Dell executive that I have been working with for some time that this is a mobo replacement, numbered A04.

I dont have the problem with my system so I cannot actually confirm this but, my entire background with Dell, which is extremely long and detailed if you care to look back at all my posts, was started with the high pitch squeal.

 

I checked my motherboard and it is A01 revision. Do you think the replacment board come with CPU and the fan? Today my system does not whine . I might opt out not getting the motherboard replace if the replacement is still A01.

 

Gah... I have terrible CPU whine but I'm scared to let those third party technicians touch my otherwise perfect machine... What should I do?

 

If the workmanship of the 3rd party is not up to par, do you think Dell get us a new replacement laptop? I got 3 yrs complete care.

 

Well you're almost certainly covered, but I didn't even get CompleteCare, I just got the default warranty. They'd replace, I'm sure of that, but I would be so pissed if I got a bad screen or something. I went through about five replacements to get the excellent screen I have now.

 

Just to confirm, the only way we can tell which version mobo we have is to physically remove the memory cover and look inside??

 

Flamenko, is the high pitched noise then due to a defective mobo?

could it be that simple?

thx. Mt9

 

I have a quick question about the whine that everyone is talking about all throughout these forums. I have a m1330 that is two weeks old (that means 1 week left to return). Currently I only hear a faint whine when I hold my ear about 3-4 inches from the left side of the notebook.

Can anyone tell me if others note that it eventually gets louder??? Do these whines progress, or is it's current state the worse it will get in my case? In light of the A04 MB version info, I want to make sure that I'm not going to get this terrible whine later, after I'm out of my return policy. Thanks for any info!

 

It doesnt increase and, in fact, there are probably many cases where it dissipates. The thing here is everyone identifies their problems then dissappears when they are gone so you here very little of this.

and Mt9...yes. It has always been recognized as the mobo and, in fact, I went through a number of them in my M1210 when working with Dells team last year, specifically on trying to recognize the cause of the problem. My system went through 3 mobos/cpus, 3 hds, 2 bats, 2 dvds and so on...

 

someone sent me a05, and i downgrade my a06 to a05, my battery life has improved (slightly) and not high pitch (well sometimes, not always)

 

I think in this thread, when people refer to A04, they mean the revision of the motherboard, not the BIOS version that you refer to.

by the way, has anyone called Dell regarding this yet?

 

OPS... didn't know that motherboard revision is different with bios revision

 

I called Dell and the new motherboard is on the way. I don't know if the revision will be A04. If it is A01, I will not have the tech guy replace it.

 

Good !! Plz report us what u get and did it stop the noise...Thanks !!

 

will do!! I hope it will be A04 with the right CPU and GPU chips.

 

I have already had a m1330 mobo repacement (few weeks back). Still battery and cpu whine. However, tech man is going to come on monday to give me the "new" model mobo. What he does is completely rip apart your system. I was horrified when i saw my screen, keyboard, wlan, media bar, dvd drive, cpu, hard disk, card reader, and other chips lying about in my room. It is amazing how they put it back together. Its like a jigsaw.

 

Count your blessings, only a few Dell technicians know their stuff!

 

Actually, for most systems the Techs receive a package that describes how to do the repair. it was posted here a while back.

For the most part, its having a feel for electronics and assembly/dissassembly of a laptop.

With the M1330, because of its size and integrated DVD, there are additional concerns that the techs need to know about...they learn one way or another.

There is nobody that couldnt pull their system apart and, in fact, a little known Dell policy is that you can do any repair yourself so long as you are guided by a Dell XPS Tech on the phone...even the motherboard.

If your comfortable with this, bring it up to them.

 

I want to do the mobo replacement myself, but that's a big job. I'm afraid I'll forget some intricate wiring detail or bend something or break something. I probably wouldn't, but I'm just paranoid about it. Should I go for it myself or risk a tech? Or just deal with the whine?

 

Give them a call and ask their advise. I wouldnt touch it if you are not mechanically inclined.

 

I just called XPS support. The technician confirmed that the new motherboard is available, so I am getting a motherboard as well, although he can't be sure which revision I will get. Anyway, I will keep you guys posted.

 

Are you getting a new one to replace yourself or is someone from Dell coming to install the new mobo?

I still don't know which version mobo I have...

 

Just confirmed with Dell. All new M1330 systems manufactured in Malaysia will now have the new A04 Revision motherboard.

 

Still no fix for the 1520. Does downclocking processor to fix also = performance loss? Version A03 is still only available for 1520. Headphone noise wins. I can't get any work done on this thing (reviewing seminars several hours in length with static is painful, wonder if I have any recourse if the noise drives me insane). Another thread said people are getting free Express Card Sound Blaster X-Fi from dell for complaining about this (Tech support told me this wasn't available in Canada). Tech said the will have A04 out withing four weeks. I also got them to gaurantee an exchange after 30 days on my 1520 if it doesn't provide a fix within 30 day exchange period.

 

I have been following the post on here for a while, trying to find a fix for the xps squeal. I have talked to dell tech as well and I should be receiving my motherboard next week. I will let you guys know how it works out. I hope works.....

Does anyone know how and who to complain to about the terriable costome service dell provides there xps members?

 

I cant answer that. I have been an XPS client through two systems and have yet to find service anywhere to compare.

I had a thread a while back where it seemed to be the general consensus as well.

 

Write to Michael Dell!

 

XPS customer support has been top notch till date for me !!

 

how about for inspiron 1420? is there a solution? im not sure if its a squeal sound, but i think it is.