Difference between revisions of "Problem with high pitch noises"
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==Solutions== | ==Solutions== | ||
| + | ===Processor idle-states=== | ||
*From Martin Steigerwald: I made the observation that I get at least less high pitch noises on my {{T23}} when I do not use the two ACPI modules "processor" and "thermal" (depends on the first one). I have no clue, why. Anyone with similar experiences? | *From Martin Steigerwald: I made the observation that I get at least less high pitch noises on my {{T23}} when I do not use the two ACPI modules "processor" and "thermal" (depends on the first one). I have no clue, why. Anyone with similar experiences? | ||
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:Then recompile the kernel.<br />After i changed it on my ThinkPad {{A30}} (under SuSE 9.2 and 9.3) and recompiling the kernel the high pitch noise is gone away. | :Then recompile the kernel.<br />After i changed it on my ThinkPad {{A30}} (under SuSE 9.2 and 9.3) and recompiling the kernel the high pitch noise is gone away. | ||
| − | * | + | *Stefan Baums: My {{X41}} produced a high-pitched crackle from the processor vent on the left. Changing HZ did nothing, and the 'processor' module could not easily be removed from the system (Ubuntu 5.04). What solved the problem for me was adding <tt>idle=halt</tt> to the boot command line. Unfortunately, this solution only lasts until the first hibernation or suspend - when the computer ({{X41}}) resumes, the high-pitched crackle is back. |
| − | * | + | * The <code>idle=halt</code> solution combined with setting <code>#define HZ 100</code> in the kernel fixes the problem on a {{T43}}. |
| − | * | + | *Stefan Baums: I raised this issue on the linux-kernel mailing list, and from there it was forwarded to the acpi-devel mailing list. See the discussion [http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_id=7593600&forum_id=6102 here] and [http://sourceforge.net/mailarchive/forum.php?thread_id=7599419&forum_id=6102 here]. Results: The idle=halt kernel parameter disables ACPI C-state switching entirely (i.e., locks the processor in C1). It is preferable to pass to the ACPI processor component the option 'max_cstate=2', which only disables the problematic states C3 and C4. The only way to accomplish this that worked for me was to compile the ACPI processor component permanently into the kernel (<tt>CONFIG_ACPI_PROCESSOR=y</tt>) and then enable it by adding the parameter <tt>processor.max_cstate=2</tt> to the boot command line (and of course removing idle=halt). Now the computer switches back and forth between C1 and C2, but avoids the noise-inducing C3 and C4, and frequency scaling works regardless. ({{X41}}.) |
| − | * | + | * Paul RIVIER: Here is a really simple workaround. C3 / C4 states are mainly called when the cpu freq is higher than required, for exemple if your cpufreqd is lazy to slow down the frequency but quick to raise it. That is why I use powernowd with the builtin "passive" mode, which is lazy for raising frequency, but quick to go back to the lowest. Now I don't hear them as often as before, as I avoid C3/C4 states at high frequency. |
| − | + | * Adding "options processor max_cstate=2" in /etc/modprobe.conf (or /etc/modprobe.conf.local on my SuSE 9.3 installation) prevents the CPU permanently from entering into C3 and higher states. ACPI processor support can then remain a kernel module. Negative impact on battery life is probably minimal. ({{X40}}) | |
| − | :to the | + | ===Disabling UltraBay=== |
| + | *Naheed Vora: My {{T41}} (2373-268) started to give high pitch noise ocassionally, when I upgraded to 2.6.11 kernel. I tried to unload lot of modules but finally figured out that disabling bay stops the noise. If you have [[ibm-acpi]], do (need a cleaner solution): {{cmd|echo eject >/proc/acpi/ibm/bay}} . | ||
| − | * | + | ===Disabling IrDA=== |
| + | *Mike Perry: I was able to cure an intermittent high-pitched whine on both my {{X24}} and {{X40}} by disabling the Infrared port. | ||
| − | * | + | ===Disabling Linuxant Modem Driver=== |
| + | *Joern Heissler: I made another experience. I played around with linuxant conexant [[Modem Devices|modem]] drivers. After loading them I got some noise on my {{T42p}}. | ||
| + | ===Others=== | ||
* On a {{T43}} the noise was gone after dropping cpufreqd and switching to the ondemand governor - maybe because of the high sampling rate? (used the default: 10ms) | * On a {{T43}} the noise was gone after dropping cpufreqd and switching to the ondemand governor - maybe because of the high sampling rate? (used the default: 10ms) | ||
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Revision as of 10:43, 1 August 2005
Information on strange high pitch, low volume noises emitted by ThinkPads.
Contents
Problem description
Even though ThinkPads are known as very silent notebooks, they tend to emit different, mostly high pitch noises in certain circumstances. The noises are of low volume and hence not realized by everyone or at least tolerated by most people. However, there are those with "bat like ears" that hear them and might be annoyed by that.
Affected Models
Noises have been experienced in the following situations:
| situation | noise description | affected models |
|---|---|---|
|
ThinkPad suspended to RAM |
constant high pitch noise |
|
|
ThinkPad connected to power and switched off, with battery fully charged |
constant high pitch noise |
|
|
moving windows or just the mouse in xorg |
strange noise like a rapid series of very short high pitch noises adding to a constant kind of whistling (only as long as the movement goes) |
|
|
Thinkpad connected to power or working on battery, also when suspended to RAM |
High pitch noise also when HD is powered down. |
|
|
Thinkpad connected to power battery charged less than 60% |
High pitch noise till battery is charged more than 60%. |
|
|
Constantly, if AC connected |
High pitched, low volume constant noise. |
|
|
When the CPU freq jumps up to 1Ghz or above, or when the laptop is in suspend mode |
Constant high pitched |
|
|
(May come from harddisk.) |
continuous, intermittent, low volume, high pitched |
|
|
ACPI puts the processor into the C3 or C4 power saving states (i.e., the system is idle). |
High-pitched crackling noise. |
|
|
Cpufreqd (or powernowd etc.) slows down the processor, for exemple at the end of an heavy task. |
High-pitched crackling noise. |
Affected Operating Systems
- Linux, all flavours
Status
Similar phenomena was experienced with models from the T2x aera, like i.e. on the T23. On these models the problem was related to the graphics circuitry and occured especially or only while making use of DirectDraw funktions. IBM was able to fix it through a BIOS upgrade.
It is likely that the noises discovered on recent models are related to the graphics chip as well.
Solutions
Processor idle-states
- From Martin Steigerwald: I made the observation that I get at least less high pitch noises on my T23 when I do not use the two ACPI modules "processor" and "thermal" (depends on the first one). I have no clue, why. Anyone with similar experiences?
- Niko Ehrenfeuchter: I'm experiencing the same here on my X24. Removing the "processor" module also stops the pitch noise, which does ONLY occur when setting the CPU to maximum speed (using cpufreq). On low speed it's completely silent, even having loaded the processor module.
- Rolf Adelsberger: I can confirm this: the high pitch noise is only remarkable (at least with my ears ;-) ) if the processor speed is set to maximum frequency.
- Andreas Karnahl: i've read in several forums it has something to do with the "idle"-state (or "C3") of the processor. there is a frequency called "timer interrupt" (or something like that). since kernel 2.6x it is set to 1000 Hz by default (compared to 100 Hz in Kernel 2.4x). the exact reason i don't no. but it is save to change this frequency to 100 Hz in kernel 2.6x (by the way, windows up to XP uses 100 Hz by default).
just do the following:
- In [path to kernel-sources]/include/asm-i386/param.h find the line
#define HZ 1000
- and change the value of HZ to 100:
#define HZ 100
- Then recompile the kernel.
After i changed it on my ThinkPad A30 (under SuSE 9.2 and 9.3) and recompiling the kernel the high pitch noise is gone away.
- Stefan Baums: My X41 produced a high-pitched crackle from the processor vent on the left. Changing HZ did nothing, and the 'processor' module could not easily be removed from the system (Ubuntu 5.04). What solved the problem for me was adding idle=halt to the boot command line. Unfortunately, this solution only lasts until the first hibernation or suspend - when the computer (X41) resumes, the high-pitched crackle is back.
- The
idle=haltsolution combined with setting#define HZ 100in the kernel fixes the problem on a T43.
- Stefan Baums: I raised this issue on the linux-kernel mailing list, and from there it was forwarded to the acpi-devel mailing list. See the discussion here and here. Results: The idle=halt kernel parameter disables ACPI C-state switching entirely (i.e., locks the processor in C1). It is preferable to pass to the ACPI processor component the option 'max_cstate=2', which only disables the problematic states C3 and C4. The only way to accomplish this that worked for me was to compile the ACPI processor component permanently into the kernel (CONFIG_ACPI_PROCESSOR=y) and then enable it by adding the parameter processor.max_cstate=2 to the boot command line (and of course removing idle=halt). Now the computer switches back and forth between C1 and C2, but avoids the noise-inducing C3 and C4, and frequency scaling works regardless. (X41.)
- Paul RIVIER: Here is a really simple workaround. C3 / C4 states are mainly called when the cpu freq is higher than required, for exemple if your cpufreqd is lazy to slow down the frequency but quick to raise it. That is why I use powernowd with the builtin "passive" mode, which is lazy for raising frequency, but quick to go back to the lowest. Now I don't hear them as often as before, as I avoid C3/C4 states at high frequency.
- Adding "options processor max_cstate=2" in /etc/modprobe.conf (or /etc/modprobe.conf.local on my SuSE 9.3 installation) prevents the CPU permanently from entering into C3 and higher states. ACPI processor support can then remain a kernel module. Negative impact on battery life is probably minimal. (X40)
Disabling UltraBay
- Naheed Vora: My T41 (2373-268) started to give high pitch noise ocassionally, when I upgraded to 2.6.11 kernel. I tried to unload lot of modules but finally figured out that disabling bay stops the noise. If you have ibm-acpi, do (need a cleaner solution):
{{{2}}} echo eject >/proc/acpi/ibm/bay.
Disabling IrDA
- Mike Perry: I was able to cure an intermittent high-pitched whine on both my X24 and X40 by disabling the Infrared port.
Disabling Linuxant Modem Driver
- Joern Heissler: I made another experience. I played around with linuxant conexant modem drivers. After loading them I got some noise on my T42p.
Others
- On a T43 the noise was gone after dropping cpufreqd and switching to the ondemand governor - maybe because of the high sampling rate? (used the default: 10ms)
