Processor Whine..

I know this is something that is being posted about quite a lot but i wanted to put in my findings. My MBP arrived four days ago and i have noticed the processor whine, and although it's not bad enough to drive me from the room its annoying because the Powerbook G4 the MBP has replaced never made such noise.
Has anyone else noticed that if you disable one of the processors the noise stops? Also if i leave my MBP with both Prcoessors enabled and don't do anything the noise will stop after a few seconds, but the second i touch the mouse or the keyboard it starts back up again.
I've not called Apple about the noise yet but if this turns out to be something they are going to (can) fix I will be getting my MBP swapped out.
I'm running 10.4.6 with the new firmware updated...

Welcome to the "Whiney club". Mine has the exact symptoms. I've had it for about a month and other than that it's flawless. I just have photobooth open on startup, Click on a saved photo then hit Apple+Q. It's the fastest way to stop it. I'll keep mine until they fix it. If they don't I'll just have to deal with it and remember this next time I think about buying a Rev A again. I hope this helps.

Similar Messages

  • Processor Whine on the Newest MBPs (hate to beat a dead horse, but...)

    I was curious as to whether the infamous CPU whine (which I experience extensively on my Blackbook) still exists on the newest MBPs (i.e., Santa Rosa). My Blackbook has featured no less than three of the major known (or "unknown" if you are Apple) issues--the whine, the screwed-up trackpad, and persistent difficulties awaking from sleep--and I need to find another option. I suspect that the whine is still there on Santa Rosa MBPs, but I figure that it may be drastically reduced. I also hear that the trackpad is much better on MBPs than on Macbooks. Thanks.

    It is definitely the processor. I have had the exact same problem (as stated above) and I am sure that it is the processor (I know because I used a program to modulate the processor load with a slider and you could hear the noise change pitch until--finally--it went away). My hypothesis is that when the MagSafe adapter is plugged in, the computer switches over to a more high performance mode in which the computer uses more of the available resources, meaning that the processor has to do less work, and thus goes into an idle state more often. And yes, I think that frequency=intensity here. Another hypothesis might be that the adapter somehow amplifies the noise electromagnetically (this might make sense since the MagSafe both--obviously--conducts electricity and is secured by a magnet). At any rate, I didn't think that the noise was the processor at first, either, but as it turns out it is. And despite what others say, I think it's an Intel screw-up and not Apple, although Apple should take responsibility (more responsibility, that is). Indeed, I have had all sorts of problems with my Intel Macs, whereas I never, not once, had a problem my PPC Macs.

  • OS 10.4.7 update eliminated my week 13 MBP whine

    I'm not sure why, but for my MBP the processor whine appears to have been eliminated by the update. I know that for others this isn't the case unfortunately. Previously the Photobooth hack worked but at least for now no hacks are required.
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    My week 9 still whines and the new update broke the mirror widget fix.
    I backed out to the old USB driver (from 10.4.5) and the mirror widget works fine again.
    You can download the old USB driver in the developer section:
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    Use the 10.4.5 version.
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  • Macbook pro c2d whine?

    hi i recently got a new macbook pro c2d the 2.16 ghz version. anyway it ben about a week now and iv noticed a slight whine coming from one side of the machine (right side) and the other is normal. is this ok or should i take it to be serviced i also hear the left fan alot more than the right and it makes the most noise. i notice the whine when i put my ear up to the speaker and theres also a rattle that sometimes is there but this is only when i lift the machine up and position it certain ways. anyway my question is can the develop to become worse or is it ok the way it is. thanks for any help you can provide.
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    The processor whine is normal, a ticking sound might be a bad fan or something, but the whine is ok.

  • Windows Under Boot Camp & No Whine

    Hello,
    My first post and first Mac. Not sure if this has been posted yet but apologies if it has. My Week 11 MBP has the Processor Whine which can be gotten rid of using the methods we all know about. When I am in Windows though there is no whine at all. So I have to assume that the problem can be fixed with a software update. Any thoughts?
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    Personally, I think the software fix is a band-aid for a larger hardware problem, probably involving the power management circuitry. I think the reason Photo Booth and QuietMBP and Windows XP all work to silence the noise is because they draw more power by using more CPU, and it's the extra power draw that kills the noise. Nothing scientific, mind you, just a hunch.
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  • Processor noise with audio output?

    I attached my Mac book pro to my 40" LCD TV along with an audio output from the headphones out to the input on the TV.
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    I don't know if this is a new revelation, or a known reproduction of the problem.
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    Do any of you also think that Apple would replace my MBP for this and the many other complaints? (Screen inverter defect, generally hot, and this noise output via cable)
    Thanks for your input on my future with this computer, like I said, I've always been happy with it until this output problem.

    My guess as to what causes the whine is this:
    There are many small copper traces on the motherboard carrying signals. There are two traces in question. One carries the power for the processor in low power mode. One carries the power to the sound card (or from the card to the speakers). Those two traces are too close together. So when power flows through the proc trace it induces electric current in the other trace, which causes the sound we hear from the speaker.
    It is a problem of the design of the MLB. So the fix would be to isolate the two traces.
    Just my idea.

  • 10.4.7  = CPU whine?!

    I just installed the brand new 10.4.7 update on my MacBook and now I have the famous processor whine until now (at least as fas as I know) only a problem on the MBP's. It has run hot (VERY hot) from day one (for some reason the fan never turns off, and yes, there is no plastic blocking the vent) but I didn't have any processor whine until I installed this update!
    Has anyone else experienced this? And can anyone tell me how I can go back to 10.4.6 until Apple hopefully fix this?

    So I'm definitely not the only one that has noticed this - good to know, let's hope it has also come to Apple's attention. Like other users I too have noticed a small drop in heat generation (although that is entirely a subjective observation, I don't have any temperature measuring app installed). I read somewhere that this is probably because the .7 update makes the CPU work more efficiently, but that this also causes the whine/hiss.
    It's like having to choose between two evils - whine or HotBook. Why, oh why can't I have a cool and quiet Macbook? And now with the beginning yellow stains....come on Apple, **** happens but this is ridicules!

  • Should I try to return my new MacBook Pro because of the whine?

    I accidentally posted this in the MacBook area. Sorry to crosspost!
    I bought a 2.16ghz MacBook Pro on Friday. I brought it home and discovered that it couldn't hold an airport signal and had kernel panics about every five minutes. The Apple Store replaced it with a new one. After taking the new one home, I discovered that it had a greyish blob in the middle of the screen and received another replacement on Saturday. After playing with this MacBook Pro for a couple of days, the whine has reared its ugly head. At this point, I'm not sure what to do. If I again take it back for a new machine, will they do it? Will I be told that it's within spec? I'm worried that if I return it, I'll get another machine with issues. Other than this problem, this MacBook Pro appears to be stellar. I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks!

    Are you talking about the "processor whine" or the "screen brightness" whine
    The screen brightness whine is easily fixed, and is accepted as a known, repairable issue.
    The other is not, and unfortunately you will either have to deal with it, or get a new one

  • Quicktime 7.1.1 update fixes whine?

    I have a Week 11 MacBook Pro (15.4" 1.83GHz) that had the CPU whine. I strayed away from the Keyboard & Mouse Update and used the Mirror.widget start-and-close trick to remove the whine. Once the whine was gone, it would not start up unless I ran the camera again, or until I rebooted.
    After installing the Quicktime update (out since a couple of days ago), I haven't noticed any CPU whine.
    Is this it? Is this the software update that repairs one of the most nagging problems of the MacBook Pro line?
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    I have a Week 11 MacBook Pro (15.4" 1.83GHz) that had
    the CPU whine. I strayed away from the Keyboard &
    Mouse Update and used the Mirror.widget
    start-and-close trick to remove the whine. Once the
    whine was gone, it would not start up unless I ran
    the camera again, or until I rebooted.
    After installing the Quicktime update (out since a
    couple of days ago), I haven't noticed any CPU
    whine.
    Is this it? Is this the software update that repairs
    one of the most nagging problems of the MacBook Pro
    line?
    I'm tempted to try installing the Keyboard & Mouse
    update now to see what'll happen.
    Though I don't think you're lying, you may be experiencing something that happens to many of us.
    For SOME reason, I don't know what, after I receive Apple Updates computer noises diminish somewhat for a short period of time. I have lost my screen inverter whine and processor whine to many updates, for it to come back days later. Some other people have reported improvements after some updates too.
    It may have to do with the updates requiring "restarts" you know when you restart and it takes an exceptionally long time to reboot? Maybe something is being reset that decreases our noise symptoms, but reappears after repeated use.
    I don't know the answer, all I know is that I'm still happy with my MBP, I wouldn't trade it for any other computer, but when they have a permanent solution for all of the problems, I'll be right there in line with everyone else to get them fixed!

  • The dreaded whine & new replacement battery

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    I find it mildly annoying. Frankly it's just another computer noise to me - I come from the old days when you couldn't tell much difference between your IBM-PC and a Hoover vacuum, sonically. But others have remarked that the battery exchange FIXED the whine, and I just wanted to post my opposite experience.
    I'm planning on buying a glossy screen MBP with a Merom CPU as soon as they are available, another reason not to panic. But it IS irritating, I'll admit...

    I've noticed a few problems ever since installing the new battery.
    Step one for you, try resetting your PMU... sometimes it helps.
    It's annoying, but at least now my battery doesn't cause my computer to shut off at 20% without warning.
    Try the PMU reset... shut down, remove power cord, & Battery. Hold the POWER button for 10 seconds.
    Reverse the directions and restart.
    See if it helps

  • Creating a bootable backup - instructions?

    I am looking to create a bootable back-up of my MBP so I can expirament with going from 10.4.6 to 10.4.10. (I am wary due to the processor whine issue.) I would like to be able to go back to 4.6 if I can't quiet the whine under 4.10.
    Can anyone guide me to a step by step guide on how to do this? I plan to get an OWC Firewire drive.
    Thanks!
    Mitch

    When you get the OWC drive - good choice - connect it to your computer and make sure that you use disk utility to partition the drive using GUID - it's in options under the partition tab.
    Download SuperDuper. This is free for making a clone of your hard drive, twenty something if you want incremental backups (faster). For your purpose, free is fine.
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  • Hard Disk Noise

    Hi,
    I can hear a soft shooshing sound coming from the left side of my MacBook. I am pretty sure it is the hard drive. I can sometimes also feel a slight vibration on the left side also. It is not the clicking sound I normally associate with disk access. It is not the fans, I ran the hardware test off the install DVD and heard what they sound like.
    The sound is not bad, but my previous 15" Al PowerBook was totally silent, so I am wondering if anyone else's drive is making this sound, or if I should be concerned. I have a 100 gig fujitsu drive.
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    Bill
    MBP 2.0G/Mac mini/PowerBook G4 1.5GHz 15-inch/iBook G3   Mac OS X (10.4.5)  

    It is a week 10. No inverter buzz, only a slight processor whine that I have to put my ear on the keyboard to hear. Maybe it is masked by the white noise from the hard drive
    MacBook Pro 2GHz   Mac OS X (10.4.5)   Mac mini/PowerBook G4 1.5GHz 15-inch/iBook G3

  • Question about youview fan

    Hi guys
    I just bought a bt youview box and started using it and noticed that it was getting hot. The box wasn't making any noise really so I looked at the back and noticed the fan wasn't running. So I took it back to the shop a d they gave me a new one get home turn it on and the fan isn't running ? Does the fan only cut in when the box gets really hot ? Or I'm I just really unlucky.
    I heard these youview boxes can be noisy but I can't hear anything apart from the hard drive ticking abit.
    Any help please

    essaimel wrote:
    Hello Samtoossi,
    I have the exact same phenomenon on my brand new T400s (2808/D9G). It sound like there is some sort of strange mechanism to "respin up" the fan every few seconds : the fan speed is not constant at any time in fact, it spins a little down, then there is a little boost, and again and again.
    I'm not sure this is an issue, even if I wondered at first... And now knowing I'm not alone...
    Did you contact Lenovo for that ?
    Thanls
    No,  I just use TPFanControl to keep the fan off most of the time. I'll wait until something major happens and then include this issue into the mix when I call lenovo. Im kind of hesitant to get anything in this laptop replaced right now. If its the fan that needs to replaced, its not a big deal, but If its a motherboard issue there is no way in I'm going to replace it because there are many reports by other owners of annoying processor whine, unresolved random shutdowns, and melted speakers. I'm pretty happy with the current state of my laptop, thanks to TPFanControl
    FYI, this looks very similar to the infamous "pulsing fan" problem that affected many of the earlier IBM Thinkpads. Its due to ACPI polling the fan RPM every few seconds (every 6 sec for my T400s). IBM eventually released a BIOS update which fixed the problem. If you run TPFanControl, you will see that the pulsing is only noticeable under fan speed 2 which constantly changes speed. Fan speeds 1, 3,4,5,6,7 don't have this problem (speed 3 kind of has it, but its no where as annoying). It could be that this is a common problem, but most people just don't hear it because of ambient noise or they're just not bothered by it. Hopefully, a BIOS update in the future fixes this problem.
    If you decide to call Lenovo and have the fan replaced, let me know how it works out

  • Question about T400s fan

    Hi, I have a question for T400s owners,
    Have any of you noticed a "hiccup" in the t400s fan?  I can hear the fan (its not a quiet as some people say it is) and it clicks or hiccups kind of in a rhythmic pace every few seconds. I'm wondering if the fan is going bad

    essaimel wrote:
    Hello Samtoossi,
    I have the exact same phenomenon on my brand new T400s (2808/D9G). It sound like there is some sort of strange mechanism to "respin up" the fan every few seconds : the fan speed is not constant at any time in fact, it spins a little down, then there is a little boost, and again and again.
    I'm not sure this is an issue, even if I wondered at first... And now knowing I'm not alone...
    Did you contact Lenovo for that ?
    Thanls
    No,  I just use TPFanControl to keep the fan off most of the time. I'll wait until something major happens and then include this issue into the mix when I call lenovo. Im kind of hesitant to get anything in this laptop replaced right now. If its the fan that needs to replaced, its not a big deal, but If its a motherboard issue there is no way in I'm going to replace it because there are many reports by other owners of annoying processor whine, unresolved random shutdowns, and melted speakers. I'm pretty happy with the current state of my laptop, thanks to TPFanControl
    FYI, this looks very similar to the infamous "pulsing fan" problem that affected many of the earlier IBM Thinkpads. Its due to ACPI polling the fan RPM every few seconds (every 6 sec for my T400s). IBM eventually released a BIOS update which fixed the problem. If you run TPFanControl, you will see that the pulsing is only noticeable under fan speed 2 which constantly changes speed. Fan speeds 1, 3,4,5,6,7 don't have this problem (speed 3 kind of has it, but its no where as annoying). It could be that this is a common problem, but most people just don't hear it because of ambient noise or they're just not bothered by it. Hopefully, a BIOS update in the future fixes this problem.
    If you decide to call Lenovo and have the fan replaced, let me know how it works out

  • Disapointed with my MacBook ... happier with my iBook.

    Hi all,
    So .... maybe the subject is a bit of a stretch. I love the form factor of the Macbook, as well as the speed. This thing screams .... 2.0ghz, 2gig ram, 7200rpm drive ... you wouldn't expect anything less.
    Current disapointments:
    1. The WHINE ... I know its not a big deal under normal circumstances, but try lying in bed working on something while your wife is trying to sleep ... the whine is anoying ... and for $2900 plus tax, you really don't expect that. I know you can run some stuff in the background to get rid of it (photobooth etc), but then you really don't have much battery life.
    2. Battery life. My 800mhz G4 ibook has better battery life. Nuf said !!
    3. Some weird issues with my airport card .... simply will not autoconnect to my prefered network ... regardless of what I try.
    4. L key is not reliable. Misses one out of every four tries.
    5. As a windows convert, I feel doubly handi capped. Not only are there less programs available, but now I'm sitting here waiting for universal apps to come out ..... I guess thats what I get for being a 1st gen adopter.
    Anyway ... if anybody has any suggestions for items 1 or 3, that would be great. Items 2, 4, and 5 are other issues all together.
    All in all, I feel like my money would have been better off in the bank for six months while apple fixed their issues.
    Blue

    I received my MacBook Pro in early March and soon discovered the annoying inverter whine and a left fan that wouldn't shut off. I assume the unit also had the processor whine, but I was unable to tell because the inverter noise was sooo overpowering. I took it to the Portland Pioneer Place Apple Store and Joseph (the Genius) told me the computer was defective. Twenty some days later I'm still waiting for a new replacement unit to arrive (Apple wouldn't replace it straight-up at the store because I bought it through a reseller, so I dealt with the customer relations department, politely demanding that Apple send me a new unit, which they did).
    Ever since early March I've been paying attention to the various discussion boards and have concluded that a software update will NOT prove to be an effective solution for the processor whine. I don't know where it all started, but it seems that everyone is banking on Apple to release a software update to fix a hardware related problem. If anything, Apple will release an update that keeps the processor cores running at all times- enough to eliminate the whine. Such a patch will only unnecessarily consume processor power, slowing the machine down, consuming extra battery power, and making the unit run hotter.
    So, to all you MacBook Pro owners who can't operate your machine in a quiet room, you need to contact Apple and DEMAND that Apple remedy the situation. Further, you need to contact all your favorite mac/non mac sites and make this problem more known, encouraging site owners and bloggers to post stories about the whine. Without negative press, Apple will likely do nothing more than releasing a band-aid of a softare update for a hardware problem.
    That's my two cents.

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