I have just upgraded my AMD Athlon x64 3200 CPU to an X2 4200 one. It's a lot faster but there's one big problem - I now have a high pitched sound (barely audible, but noticeable, does your head in type sound) coming from my speakers when on, and I'm sure I can still hear it when they are off - this has never ever happened before and i'd been running this rig for 3 years. As soon as I put this X2 CPU in it starts, first noticeable when the Vista loading screen comes up, some funny squeeking noises are made. Then there is just a high pitched whinge constant after that.

What could be going on?

Thanks

I've got two Vista machines: a P3 system and an Opteron system. The Opteron system never squeals, but the P3 machine throws quite the pig fest during the Vista loading process. It gets quiet as soon as the Vista desktop appears, but squeals quite a bit during the loading process (and sqeals even louder whenever the loading bar pauses for half a sec). Interestingly enough, it boots into Win XP silently.

My guess: During startup, Vista accesses the CPU in a manner that stresses the CPU voltage regulation module a little more than usual. This is probably why Vista is so much more sensitive to overclocking/hardware stability than XP is. For example, at 3.4GHz my Opteron would boot into XP, but would hang at Vista's splash screen. I had to lower my overclock to 3.2GHz for complete stability under both operating systems.

Return of the Super P3
P3-S 1400 @ 1.66GHz
2GB PC2700 DDR
XFX 7950GT AGP
XP/Vista dual boot
JBL 5.1 amp/speakers
Optoma 1280x720 projector

Hmm sounds about right, I'm thinking it could be voltage - but my PSU should be able to handle it. Also, I've read posts from people suggesting that they actually hear this high pitched sound coming from the motherboard itself. I don't, it's only the speakers, I think so anyway. It's really winding me up, because I've just bought this CPU and now I'm regretting throwing money at this ageing system if I can't even listen to my music anymore lol. It really is giving me a headache, so I have to turn the speakers off.

I tried disconnecting some hard drives and I thought initially it had cured the problem but no, the sounds were still there.

I also notice that it happens when I'm on the main screen (first page) of my BIOS. But if I tab to other pages, there's nothing. The first screen, I notice, is also the only one with a moving item (the PC clock) so I'm wondering if it could be video related?

Hi everyone!

I've had a dozen laptops before, and never had this problem.

However, I just got an HP TX2000 tablet (Love it, by the way!), yet I am getting a weird hissing noise as well. I'm running an AMD Turion64 X2 in here, running Vista (64) Ultimate.

Strangely, the CPU only hisses at NO load! When the computer is idle (or under 5% usage) I hear it. All i have to do is type or drag a mouse around the screen, and it stops.

I noticed it also only happens when on battery. Plug in the AC adapter, and it's great. Pull out the plug and whinning starts.

I'm going to check out a motherboard schematic for this laptop. I wonder where the internal speaker is.

Very strange, indeed. Especially how it happens when the CPU is idle. (which is a little rare, thanks to Vista!)

I will try to learn more and come back here with some answers!

M