Official BUZZ thread - iMac's weeks 3,4,5...

[Yakuza]

Ok

So, i was one of who got a i5 from week 4 with the distinct "Cricket", or mostly non as the buzz sound from the top left corner of the iMac.

Who also got them, please post it here.

As anyone as somekind of idea or answer how come in so little time there were more reports of buzzing sound?

BTW...buzzz buzzzz buzzzz

[tigereat]

I got one with the buzz problem too. Also the black dust behind the glass and of course, the Yellow tinge. :(

[Yakuza]

I got one with the buzz problem too. Also the black dust behind the glass and of course, the Yellow tinge. :(

I just didn't get the dust, the other two BAMMM!!! right there.

I've to be honest, i was expecting some kind of problem, but never had thought that i would get a buzzing sound

[IndustrialSpace]

Apple is REFUNDING PLUS 15%

They're giving customers $300 to return the iMac!

http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?p=9217439#post9217439

[sascha h-k]

buzz + tint, week05.

[Yakuza]

ok, got one more.

there's still missing "mi hermano", from next door Spain.

This really sucks big time. after almost 4 months, there's still the yellow tinge problem and NOW we have to take a buzz sound following with the yellow tinge. :mad: they're just being very very naughty.

C'mon Apple you can do better than this!

[logicaltoast]

This is becoming somewhat of a joke. Can apple manufacture a single good computer?

Originally had a Week 50. Returned due to yellowing.

Now have a Week 5. Yellowing still present but would have lived with it but now really LOUD buzzing at anything below 60% brightness. Agh!!!

ANOTHER call to Customer Service tomorrow. Starting to feel the Apple Magic is wearing off.

[cocky jeremy]

This is becoming somewhat of a joke. Can apple manufacture a single good computer?

Originally had a Week 50. Returned due to yellowing.

Now have a Week 5. Yellowing still present but would have lived with it but now really LOUD buzzing at anything below 60% brightness. Agh!!!

ANOTHER call to Customer Service tomorrow. Starting to feel the Apple Magic is wearing off.

Pretty sure Apple doesn't manufacture anything.

[slicecom]

Pretty sure Apple doesn't manufacture anything.

Pretty sure that doesn't absolve them of any responsibility for the lack of quality control on the products they design, pick and train manufacturers for, and put their name on.

[logicaltoast]

Pretty sure Apple doesn't manufacture anything.

Are you kidding? Yes Apple doesn't manufacture every single individual part but they are certainly responsible for the final product and most importantly the QUALITY CONTROL.... of which there appears to be almost none at the moment.

I'm a huge Apple fan but I've waited over a month for a replacement and to receive such a buzzing machine as a replacement is a massive let down.

People pay for the brand and people certainly used to pay for the quality. Clearly that is no longer the case. *sigh* new revisions will be out by the time that I finally receive one that 'just works'.

[Yakuza]

What the heck is happened to them!

[Bitwise]

Just out of curiosity, is this buzzing continuous, or does it occur in irregular intervals? I ask because when my CPU was doing some heavy lifting I noticed that there was a buzzing coming from the upper left hand corner of the iMac. It seemed to be somewhat intermittent and then it just stopped. Is this the problem you're talking about?

[marco12345]

I had a few buzzing sounds on a couple of 21,5" when reducing the screen's brightness to about 30% over 30% the whistling came out!

It's a continuous buzzing sound.

I also have a 5 to 10 second interval ticking sound from the hard drive.

Very annoying!

I stopped exchanging at #5

I will wait and keep up to date...Apple Relation's rep will call me on the 15th of february to give me a update! Only then will I buy a 6th one!

[xokimwhiteox]

If the screen is at 100% brightness, are there any issues with noise, or is that too bright anyway? I know nothing about macs so please be patient with me, lol.

[marco12345]

When the screen's brightness is at 100% the whistling has to much of a high pitch to notice...but what would be the purpose of screen brightness if you have to leave it on 100% all the time!

[xokimwhiteox]

That's odd. I still think that id rather have a Mac, even with all the issues than a Windows PC. I just cant stand Microsoft at all, I even got Windows 7 and still hate it.

[Yakuza]

The high pitch sound and buzz sound only appears when you dim down the brightness.

At full brightness you hear nothing lol

[milkfan4]

Wow, when they first came out my jaw hit the floor...but these 27 inch models look less and less tempting with each passing day.

Like a nightmare in a box.

[stonemann]

Wow, when they first came out my jaw hit the floor...but these 27 inch models look less and less tempting with each passing day.

Like a nightmare in a box.

I'm keeping well away from these machines. If there was a headless alternative in the slot the iMac occupies I'd get one. The MacMini is too underpowered for my needs and the MacPros are ridiculously expensive. I've got money to spend but no desktop Mac to spend it on. Very frustrating.

[nickv1980]

Ive had 2 27's week 51's sent back with the same buzzing sound its crazy . Im really not that fussy both also had yellowing bottom right hand corners which honestly did bother me the slightest but that loud ass ****** buzzzzz cant stand it at all :rolleyes:

Edit: My third should be at my front door this tuesday and if its garbage like the first 2 im getting a refund.... 3 times is enough 2 tell you 2 take your money and wait out the storm

[tigereat]

I have an interesting story. When i run Windows 7 on my iMac using Bootcamp, No matter how i tried (lower brightness) I couldn't hear the buzz sound at all. That led me to happily understanding that the problem was gone. Then I rebooted my iMac and run Mac OS and the buzz sound appeared again.


Can i imply that it's because the OS issue? anyone has tried this?

Please let me know. Thanks

[nickv1980]

Funny you should mention that because i downloaded a brightness control app for osx and tried to replicate the problem and couldn't. The only way this could be reproduced was through the brightness control on the keyboard or when the screen dims before sleep.

This leads me to believe Osx uses hardware to control the brightness within the lcd inverter where as windows 7 and the brightness control app i downloaded uses the video card to lower the brightness.

Either way these machines ship with faulty hardware as it shouldn't make such a noise...

[Yakuza]

I have an interesting story. When i run Windows 7 on my iMac using Bootcamp, No matter how i tried (lower brightness) I couldn't hear the buzz sound at all. That led me to happily understanding that the problem was gone. Then I rebooted my iMac and run Mac OS and the buzz sound appeared again.


Can i imply that it's because the OS issue? anyone has tried this?

Please let me know. Thanks

Hey if it is OS issue, let me now, i will even install OSX Tiger on it, lolol, just because i still have mine here at home boxed waiting to be picked up.

If it worked i would cancel the pick up right away!

PS: i know is veeeeeeeeeery unlinkely

[tigereat]

Hey if it is OS issue, let me now, i will even install OSX Tiger on it, lolol, just because i still have mine here at home boxed waiting to be picked up.

If it worked i would cancel the pick up right away!

PS: i know is veeeeeeeeeery unlinkely

I would like to know too. But one has to try install Windows 7 on the iMac to test the buzz sound like me.

But for now, I got no buzz sound at all when using Windows 7. It appears only when I'm using Mac OS.

What should I say in this case?

[nickv1980]

:rolleyes: here we go again...It is due to the way the brightness is handled with windows 7 vs osx .

Osx uses the lcd inverter to contol brightness windows 7 uses the video card thats all there really is to it if u wish to use the video card to control brightnes within osx download this and i bet ur buzzing problem doesnt exist ....Brightness Control 1.0.4 (from mac update)

Edit:: i will do one better download from here.... http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/10429

[tigereat]

:rolleyes: here we go again...It is due to the way the brightness is handled with windows 7 vs osx .

Osx uses the lcd inverter to contol brightness windows 7 uses the video card thats all there really is to it if u wish to use the video card to control brightnes within osx download this and i bet ur buzzing problem doesnt exist ....Brightness Control 1.0.4 (from mac update)

Edit:: i will do one better download from here.... http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/10429

So, Your point is the buzz sound is not the hardware issue but software? Did you have this problem on your returned iMac? Did you use the way you just told me to solve the buzz sound?

Sorry for asking many questions. But If it can be solved easily like you said, I will not be worried about it anymore :) I will only concern with the yellow issue.

[nickv1980]

So, Your point is the buzz sound is not the hardware issue but software? Did you have this problem on your returned iMac? Did you use the way you just told me to solve the buzz sound?

Sorry for asking many questions. But If it can be solved easily like you said, I will not be worried about it anymore :) I will only concern with the yellow issue.

No thats fine mate im here to help !.. Well it seems the osx software directs the brightness control to be done via the lcd inverter where as windows 7 and the brightness control app link i posted up seem to direct the brightness control to be done via the video card...... SO its 2 complete different methods of dimming the screen .... And yes when i used that brightness control app my problem was solved BUT and yes i say BUT ... IF u have power saving mode active under osx unfortunately the screen will buzz when it dims before sleep unless u untick that option in power prefs.

[Gwalchmai]

I'm keeping well away from these machines. If there was a headless alternative in the slot the iMac occupies I'd get one. The MacMini is too underpowered for my needs and the MacPros are ridiculously expensive. I've got money to spend but no desktop Mac to spend it on. Very frustrating.

amen to that,i've been putting off my new mac for 4 months now.I have zero confidence in apple (both software and hardware) at the moment.
Apple's business plan seems to have gone in the 'toys for idiots' direction..

[tigereat]

No thats fine mate im here to help !.. Well it seems the osx software directs the brightness control to be done via the lcd inverter where as windows 7 and the brightness control app link i posted up seem to direct the brightness control to be done via the video card...... SO its 2 complete different methods of dimming the screen .... And yes when i used that brightness control app my problem was solved BUT and yes i say BUT ... IF u have power saving mode active under osx unfortunately the screen will buzz when it dims before sleep unless u untick that option in power prefs.

I got you mate. :) Thanks so much

[evangw]

No thats fine mate im here to help !.. Well it seems the osx software directs the brightness control to be done via the lcd inverter where as windows 7 and the brightness control app link i posted up seem to direct the brightness control to be done via the video card...... SO its 2 complete different methods of dimming the screen .... And yes when i used that brightness control app my problem was solved BUT and yes i say BUT ... IF u have power saving mode active under osx unfortunately the screen will buzz when it dims before sleep unless u untick that option in power prefs.

That's awesome Nicky. I have the buzz when my monitor goes under about 60% brightness, but there's no buzz whatsoever with that Brightness Control App. It makes me wonder why Apple hasn't issued a fix for this already (?). I don't particularly care about the screen buzz, unless it's indicative of an underlying electrical problem, but it doesn't seem to be?

Also, I still get the screen buzz even when the monitor goes to sleep (but the computer does not) which is weird... do you know of any magic fix around that?

Thanks for the tips, I haven't seen anyone else reference that program.

[MMM.PWR]

I have this buzzing sound too. When it's under 60-70%. I have a feeling most if not all of these iMacs do and people are just not noticing it. Any updates with this so far?

[Yakuza]

I have this buzzing sound too. When it's under 60-70%. I have a feeling most if not all of these iMacs do and people are just not noticing it. Any updates with this so far?

Yep, that's where all starts. from that point down the buzz just goes buzzing all the way...and i think it's not normal, no iMac should do that because if it is, i'm defenitily moving to MacPro, i can't stand that high pitch noise and buzzings and all.

I guess every person is different, There are people who do not bother with the yellow tinge and I guess there are those who do not get bother with the buzz. i got both. and am waiting for the replacement :p

[nickv1980]

I have this buzzing sound too. When it's under 60-70%. I have a feeling most if not all of these iMacs do and people are just not noticing it. Any updates with this so far?

Yeah you would be right mate ive gone through 3.. 27" imacs all the same build... i5 1tb hdd etc 2 which were of week 51 and this third is a week 05 .

All 3 have done it all though the second one was the worst this one is by far the best and has the best screen no yellow and zero dead i-sight pixels the other 2 had over 10 dead pixels on i-sight and yellow screens :rolleyes:

Also the three imac 27"s i played around with in the stores all buzzed at around 60% brightness too.

Im over it and keeping this one not waiting another month 2 get another machine which could suffer worse problems than this beauty im gonna stress less and just enjoy it :)

[IndustrialSpace]

No thats fine mate im here to help !.. Well it seems the osx software directs the brightness control to be done via the lcd inverter where as windows 7 and the brightness control app link i posted up seem to direct the brightness control to be done via the video card...... SO its 2 complete different methods of dimming the screen .... And yes when i used that brightness control app my problem was solved BUT and yes i say BUT ... IF u have power saving mode active under osx unfortunately the screen will buzz when it dims before sleep unless u untick that option in power prefs.

Good info!!!


Thanks.

[lolbob]

I have the same problem on the replacement model I recieved yesterday, otherwise it is absolutely perfect; no yellow tinge, zero dead screen/iSight pixels, silent HD, no dust. My old model got yellow tinge, around 10 dead iSight pixels, loudy HD, but no buzzing effect whatsoever.

The buzzing is related to the lcd inverter and cpu activity. More precisely it seems to be due to a faulty power supply or some circuits close to it. The buzzing increases with PSU-temperature, and you can even hear the buzzing after you turn off the computer at high PSU-temp.

It is not a non-issue, the sound can get quite loud. Most customers don't have this symptom, and will most likely think the affected ones are talking about fans or whatever.

Now waiting for my 2nd replacement. Got a deal that I may keep the current one up to 10 days after I recieve the new one, and also a $170 refund.

[Yakuza]

I have the same problem on the replacement model I recieved yesterday, otherwise it is absolutely perfect; no yellow tinge, zero dead screen/iSight pixels, silent HD, no dust. My old model got yellow tinge, around 10 dead iSight pixels, loudy HD, but no buzzing effect whatsoever.

The buzzing is related to the lcd inverter and cpu activity. More precisely it seems to be due to a faulty power supply or some circuits close to it. The buzzing increases with PSU-temperature, and you can even hear the buzzing after you turn off the computer at high PSU-temp.

It is not a non-issue, the sound can get quite loud. Most customers don't have this symptom, and will most likely think the affected ones are talking about fans or whatever.

Now waiting for my 2nd replacement. Got a deal that I may keep the current one up to 10 days after I recieve the new one, and also a $170 refund.

great, everyone get's some $$ of refund for having a problem with the iMac and getting it back e change for another. Here in portugal we aint getting nothing lolol, and further more today a TNT guy came to pick up the iMac and even asked my mother what was the address to take it back....??WTF?? what a lack of communication. ohh!! and they went to my girlfriend's house too. (delivery address, my girlfriend's address. Invoice address mine) after saying to them that the pick up address was mine and not her's, they did it anyway. Now that's what i call a heck of a job!!!

[Apple Corps]

:rolleyes: here we go again...It is due to the way the brightness is handled with windows 7 vs osx .

Osx uses the lcd inverter to contol brightness windows 7 uses the video card thats all there really is to it if u wish to use the video card to control brightnes within osx download this and i bet ur buzzing problem doesnt exist ....Brightness Control 1.0.4 (from mac update)

Edit:: i will do one better download from here.... http://www.macupdate.com/info.php/id/10429

What is an "LCD" inverter? The older screens used CCFL backlighting which, I believe, required a power inverter. This computer uses LED backlighting which, I believe, does not use a power inverter.

[nickv1980]

Anyone else had this issue ??

[derbystar16]

Guys, this isn't a new issue. I bought a 21.5'' iMac (ATI) the very first day it came out, and got it two days later via FedEx. I noticed the whistling right away. When you have the brightness at min or max, you can't hear it. But everything in between you can.

I started this thread back in October on Apple's forums: http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?threadID=2209558&start=0&tstart=60

I'm on my 4th 21.5'' iMac and it still has the same issue. I did however talk to an Applecare higher-up and she assured me that Apple is aware of the issue but engineers haven't found a fix yet.

Everyone keeps talking about the 15th of February. So maybe something is going to happen then, like a recall or some more information.