PowerBook whirring noise

[NEENAHBOY]

Lately my PowerBook has been making a noise that sounds like a cell phone vibrating, although much louder. This happens whenever I shift the PowerBook on my lap or rest my hands on the casing to type. It sounds like it's coming from the SuperDrive, although that's not a certainty.

The PB has recently had a logic board, outer case and Bluetooth assembly replacement, but the sound was not immediately present after the computer returned from the repairs. The SMART status is listed as Verified.

It's a 15" PB Rev. B running 10.4.2. Any ideas?

 

[EricNau]

I don't have a PowerBook, so I'm not sure, but take it in as soon as possible (or call Apple, or something). Maybe it's a fan thing, I'm not sure. (My old computer's fan started making really wierd noises once.)
But take/send it in as soon as you can, it could be damaging something, and in the meantime hold it in a way that it won't make that noise, because I'm sure whatever it is it isn't good. (like keep it on a desk)

 

[aricher]

It sounds like the SuperDrive. When does it happen - when you're burning disks or just randomly? This same thing happened to a friend of mine with a 12". He had his SuperDrive replaced (under AppleCare) and the whirring stopped.

 

[NEENAHBOY]

When does it happen - when you're burning disks or just randomly?

It does it when I'm adjusting the PB on my lap, or when I'm resting my hands on the casing to type.

 

[homerjward]

It does it when I'm adjusting the PB on my lap, or when I'm resting my hands on the casing to type.

do you have a disc in the drive when this happens?

 

[NEENAHBOY]

do you have a disc in the drive when this happens?

No.

 

[Mechcozmo]

In my Rev. C 12" PowerBook, sometimes when it shifts position (OK, when I shift its position) the combo drive makes some noises, like it is adjusting for that.

 

[fussball]

I had a similar sound and it was my hard drive. Eventually the HD failed and I had to have it replaced under warranty.

 

[SummerBreeze]

Definitely take it in to the Apple store. Maybe this will save your PowerBook from certain death, maybe it'll be an easily fixed little problem, but either way the annoying loud noise will stop.

 

[Neil4512]

Definitely take it in to the Apple store. Maybe this will save your PowerBook from certain death, maybe it'll be an easily fixed little problem, but either way the annoying loud noise will stop.

I just had a similar problem. I had a noise comming from my PB whenever i moved it or held it on an weird angle. I didn't do anything and about a week ago it got worse and began to freeze. I called apple and they told me i was 4 days out of warranty. So I swapped out the Hard drive myself and now the problem is solved.

 

[xparaparafreakx]

Unless I am thinking of a different sound, It is the fan. If you position it differently, you will here the noise aka tilting it. Sometime I hear it when it is in a normal flat position but that has stopped and I have no idea why. I really dont care since im using my old Legos to old up my powerbook.

 

[NEENAHBOY]

OK, I received the PowerBook back today from its 4th repair, and the whirring noise is now even more prominent. It has become a constant sound whenever the PB shifts positions, and it will not cease the whirring until it is level again (it's very picky as to what it considers "level"). While I am shifting the unit around in my lap, the fans are not blocked in any way.

The SMART status of the hard drive is verified. I've reset the PRAM, repaired permissions, and reset all in Open Firmware. I've left a voice-mail for the "product specialist" I spoke with last time, and I assume he'll get back to me tomorrow. This will be the fifth incident in just under two months, and I will now begin demanding a replacement.

 

[MyLeftNut]

Is it not the fans making the noises?? I woul dthink it would be strange sending it back that many times for it not to be fixed, but then again nothing surprises me in this world.

 

[NEENAHBOY]

Is it not the fans making the noises??

It sure does not sound as though it's coming from the fans.

And it hasn't been the same problems for all of the repairs. They get sent back with new problems:

Repair 1 was for logic board; the case came back extremely warped
Repair 2 was for the case; it came back with the Bluetooth module dislodged
Repair 3 was for the Bluetooth module; it came back with the SuperDrive whirring noise
Repair 4 was for the whirring noise; it came back and the noise is worse

And to think: I DON'T qualify for a replacement!