Audio problem with Thinkpad R60

I just got my Thinkpad R60 at the beginning of May; almost immediately I noticed an audio problem: the left channel audio (both through the speaker and when I have my headphones on) occasionally becomes distorted/scratchy. It comes and it goes randomly, and it's not all the time (I'd say the normal-to-problem ratio is around 95-5), but it's very aggravating when it happens. I put in a service request for the problem and I was shipped a box the next day, sent it to the repair depot in Tennessee, and it was returned 4 days later--with the problem identified as a broken speaker; both speakers were replaced.

Needless to say, the problem wasn't fixed by replacing the speakers. I pretty much knew it wasn't just the speaker because of the audio problem also including my headphones, but I don't know enough about hardware to have suggested something specific for the IBM people to inspect. Does anyone have any ideas, based on my description, what's going on here? Also, does IBM/Lenovo have authorized repair centers at local stores so I don't have to wait 4 days to get my laptop fixed. The problem obviously isn't in need of immediate resolution, but I DO want it fixed-- yet I need the laptop for my work pretty much every day and really can't afford to lose it for upwards of a week again (especially if the servicers will be as spot-on with their diagnosis as the first time!!!).

Any suggestions would be welcomed, thanks...

 

I can think of four possibilities.

1. Quality of the recordings you are listening to. Do you have this problem with everything you listen to, including a CD purchased from the store?

2. What program are you using. Window media player, iTunes, Nero, or other. Do they all cause a problem? If so, then maybe just pick one program to use. The programs could be conflicting with each other. If one of the programs work fine then use that program to listen to your music/files.

3. Audio drivers. Make sure you have the latest. If you recently updated to the latest and the problem started after that, then revert back to the previous driver that worked.

4.Hopefully it is not this one. Integrated audio on the motherboard is shot. That means you need a new motherboard.

Good Luck.

 

1 & 2: The sound problems occur with all programs: iTunes, WMP, IE; even Full Tilt Poker! I haven't been able to notice a certain configuration where there is absolutely no sound problems.

3: When IBM had it during the initial repair, they said they checked all the BIOS and made sure all the audio drivers were in order. So I'd like to be able to take them at their word with that one...

4: If that's what it takes, then that's what it takes. The computer is under warranty for a while...

I really appreciate the feedback, stallen. Does anybody else want to chime in and agree with stallen, or perhaps put out a different theory? Thanks in advance...

 

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