MacBook Pro 2016 lawnmower mode?

[riinkk]

anybody else with the same issue?

 

[Patcell]

I assume the machine is on when making that noise? It doesn't appear to be plugged into anything...

Maybe there is something caught in one of the fans? Definitely time for a trip to the Genius Bar.

 

[lambertjohn]

yeah, I'm sure if you bring it into an Apple Store, they'll give it a nice tune-up for you. They've got a lot of practice with these new MB Pros!

 

[riinkk]

I assume the machine is on when making that noise? It doesn't appear to be plugged into anything...

Maybe there is something caught in one of the fans? Definitely time for a trip to the Genius Bar.

machine is on, yes, tho I unplugged it immediately after this weird sound started. it was sitting there alone on the table, there was no impact of putting it on the table or typing when it happened. restart silenced the sound. we are suspecting the right fan.

 

[Patcell]

machine is on, yes, tho I unplugged it immediately after this weird sound started. it was sitting there alone on the table, there was no impact of putting it on the table or typing when it happened. restart silenced the sound. we are suspecting the right fan.

Yeah, I would think the only thing that could possibly cause a sound like that would be one of the fans. There really aren't any other moving parts in there... let us know how the repair goes; I'm interested to hear what was causing it...

 

[riinkk]

So, a week has passed, repair is done and this is what we got as an answer, let me know what you guys think of it:

"We ran many hardware tests on the computer, everything works with the Test User - it does not freeze/restart and there is no sound in speakers or headphones. It seems that some software is to be blamed - maybe Google Drive (it should be reinstalled) or DropBox - both of these go deep into the system."​

I have few questions/comments to this repair feedback:

1. How do you install Google Drive (a cloud based environment)?
2. I do not use Dropbox with that machine
3. There did not have to be any sound in speakers or headphones, that was not the issue

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

So, a week has passed, repair is done and this is what we got as an answer, let me know what you guys think of it:

"We ran many hardware tests on the computer, everything works with the Test User - it does not freeze/restart and there is no sound in speakers or headphones. It seems that some software is to be blamed - maybe Google Drive (it should be reinstalled) or DropBox - both of these go deep into the system."​

I have few questions/comments to this repair feedback:

1. How do you install Google Drive (a cloud based environment)?
2. I do not use Dropbox with that machine
3. There did not have to be any sound in speakers or headphones, that was not the issue

Have you tried asking Apple those questions? They've inspected the machine and would be 100% better at answering than random internet postulation.

1. https://www.google.com/drive/download/ you download the app to sync documents in the cloud, it's not a cloud based service, only cloud storage.

2. Have you used it on a previous one, could it have copied across when you transferred to a new Mac?

3. They are probably trying to ascertain plausible issues, it's making a sound, audio outputs make a sound.

Has this done it since/again? I've seen this before when users have put something like an iPad on top with a magnetic case, the magnet pulls the bearing in the fan against the casing and it makes that noise. Could this be the cause? Could it have been dislodged in your bag? If it hasn't done it since I wouldn't worry. If it does it every single time you use it then by all means take it to Apple and faff around.

 

[riinkk]

I have answered into your post in bold text:

Have you tried asking Apple those questions? They've inspected the machine and would be 100% better at answering than random internet postulation.

It is my work computer, meaning I am not communicating to repair people directly. As soon as it started acting weird, this macbook pro went to our technician who has dealt with it since.

1. https://www.google.com/drive/download/ you download the app to sync documents in the cloud, it's not a cloud based service, only cloud storage.

that was me being ironic, i do not download anything to my computer, everything I work with is still there even if you wipe the macbook

2. Have you used it on a previous one, could it have copied across when you transferred to a new Mac?

this lawnmower-sound-making work computer is totally new and there was no transfer from anything, because I have my personal macbook/accounts/whatnot separately

3. They are probably trying to ascertain plausible issues, it's making a sound, audio outputs make a sound.

it can be understood from the location and the sound itself that it is definitely not coming from the audio output

Has this done it since/again? I've seen this before when users have put something like an iPad on top with a magnetic case, the magnet pulls the bearing in the fan against the casing and it makes that noise. Could this be the cause? Could it have been dislodged in your bag? If it hasn't done it since I wouldn't worry. If it does it every single time you use it then by all means take it to Apple and faff around.

as it was sent to repair immediately, i have not used/seen it since. there was nothing on it, no magnetic iPads, nothing. i carry my laptop in a special hardened backpack for safety reasons, so no dislodging.

[doublepost=1500889710][/doublepost]Also, forgot to mention that on the day of lawnmower sounds, there were many occasions where the macbook pro just froze and restarted on its own. Try working like that in the middle of heavy meetings schedule

 

[New_Mac_Smell]

I have answered into your post in bold text:


[doublepost=1500889710][/doublepost]Also, forgot to mention that on the day of lawnmower sounds, there were many occasions where the macbook pro just froze and restarted on its own. Try working like that in the middle of heavy meetings schedule

If it was freezing up and restarting then I would suggest it's the fan. It may have gotten knocked or stuck for a number of reasons. But it's most likely the fan got ever so slightly twisted in its casing, and so was not functioning at 100% leading to the device overheating and automatically shutting down the computer to prevent damage.

Go back to using the machine and if it happens again, ask that the fans are replaced. It's unusual but not impossible. It's more likely that whatever has caused this has sorted itself out and it shouldn't happen again, but if it does it's possible there's a slight nick somewhere in the fan structure that makes it more prone to becoming stuck.

I honestly wouldn't have even tried to work with that during meetings, would have grabbed a pad and paper. Or transferred stuff to colleagues computer. Or put those headphones on!

 

[riinkk]

If it was freezing up and restarting then I would suggest it's the fan. It may have gotten knocked or stuck for a number of reasons. But it's most likely the fan got ever so slightly twisted in its casing, and so was not functioning at 100% leading to the device overheating and automatically shutting down the computer to prevent damage.

Go back to using the machine and if it happens again, ask that the fans are replaced. It's unusual but not impossible. It's more likely that whatever has caused this has sorted itself out and it shouldn't happen again, but if it does it's possible there's a slight nick somewhere in the fan structure that makes it more prone to becoming stuck.

I honestly wouldn't have even tried to work with that during meetings, would have grabbed a pad and paper. Or transferred stuff to colleagues computer. Or put those headphones on!

Why do I need to transfer stuff if I do not have anything downloaded, when everything I need is in the cloud? And I did use pen and paper in the following meetings. What I am lacking at the moment is a reliable working machine, I do not want a broken piece of technology making scary sounds in the middle of the office. Yeah, the last Macbook Pro is really not the most successful piece they've made (e.g. see the many reviews on YT). And please have in mind, I have been using Apple products (computers, tablets, watches, phones) personally 10+ years and never had an issue. So, being a faithful customer, I now need them to fix the situation, instead of giving me silly answers.

Anyway, I really feel I am a few steps ahead of you in this process
[doublepost=1500893429][/doublepost]

Yeah, I would think the only thing that could possibly cause a sound like that would be one of the fans. There really aren't any other moving parts in there... let us know how the repair goes; I'm interested to hear what was causing it...

what do you think of the repair results (scroll up a bit)?

 

[Patcell]

It sounds like they are thinking the sound was coming from the speakers. It sounded more mechanical from the clip you posted. I suppose is could be from the speakers, but my thought was the fan(s) rubbing against something...

Do you have the machine back? Still having the problem?

 

[riinkk]

It sounds like they are thinking the sound was coming from the speakers. It sounded more mechanical from the clip you posted. I suppose is could be from the speakers, but my thought was the fan(s) rubbing against something...

Do you have the machine back? Still having the problem?

No, I haven't gotten it back, yet. Will update when I do.

 

[peraspera]

It sounds suspiciously as if Apple somehow associated a diagnostic report for someone else's computer with yours. Contact Apple and make it very clear, point by point, that the repair report you received bears absolutely no relationship to the software installed on your computer and the issue you experienced.

Even if the problem has been fixed when you get your computer back request a copy of the correct diagnostic report for your MBP and also ask Apple to associate it correctly in their records. An incorrect diagnostic report in your MBP's repair history could prove to be confusing and problematic if you require any further repairs.

 

[duffyanneal]

Sounds like the speakers oscillating. I've had a PC crash in the past which made similar sounds.