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    Humming noise using USB mouse while on battery!!!

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by frustratedbylenovo, Dec 6, 2007.

  1. frustratedbylenovo

    frustratedbylenovo Newbie

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    I have a Lenovo 3000 N100, a year old. A few weeks ago I noticed that if I use my USB mouse while the laptop is on battery, it makes a high pitched humming noise from the underside of the laptop (beside the hard disk and Intel 3945).
    1. Just now on battery, USB mouse connected => noise
    2. Just now on battery, USB mouse removed => noise stops
    3. USB mouse connected, plugged in => noise stops
    4. Long time on battery, USB mouse removed => noise continues (does not stop).
    5. Tried with 3 different mice - same behavior (mice are fine, not defective).
    6. It is not the Hard disk (noise comes even when disk motor goes off). It is not the fan - noise comes even if fan is off.
    7. Device Manager shows all ok:
    Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C8
    Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27C9
    Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CA
    Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 family) USB Universal Host Controller - 27CB
    Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 family) USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 27CC
    8. The laptop has 4 USB ports, same behavior on all ports.
    9. If in Device Manager I disable the appropriate controller => noise stops. Of course, mouse stops working too :((
    10. I took the laptop in for service - they replaced the LCD thinking its the bulb. Noise persisted. Today they just replaced the system board after I waited 3 weeks because it was on back-order. Noise persists. Now they told me they suspect the hard disk - that its not the motor, but the controller. At home tonight, I let the hard disk turn off and then pulled it out => noise continues as points above.

    Anyone seen/heard this or similar issue before? Anyone have a clue what's happening? Is this just a bad model? It can't be a bad piece if they've changed the main board, right? Are the USB controllers separate (ie would they have used the same old ones)?
    The noise is freakin' annoying + I do get distracted by weird noises anyway.

    Any ideas/help appreciated!
    Thanks.
     
    frustratedbylenovo, Dec 6, 2007
    #1
  2. tumnasgt

    tumnasgt Notebook Evangelist

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    Could be Intel CPU whine, I have heard cases of the whining being affected by USB devices.

    What happens if you put a different USB device in?
     
    tumnasgt, Dec 6, 2007
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  3. frustratedbylenovo

    frustratedbylenovo Newbie

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    Thanks tumnasgt.
    I'll check with some other devices - though I do recall somewhat that I'd tried with USB sticks (flash drives) and external USB hard disks and there was no noise... I think it was only with USB Mice (different ones).
    Is there a cure for the CPU whining, if indeed that were the culprit?
     
    frustratedbylenovo, Dec 6, 2007
    #3