21.5'' iMac - Screen Noise

There was a software update released today re: the iMac's screen.

Does it solve the problem?

Thanks for the tips. Well, it kinda worked... the noise can now only be heard at certain brightness levels:

1-3 bars = no noise
4-14 = noise
15-16 = no noise

Since I only plan on using my iMac on the maximum setting, I'm very happy about the update. But I could understand people who want to use their iMac on a lower brightness setting to be frustrated...

I went to the Apple store, they ordered the parts, and they told me to bring my computer back in when the parts come in. They haven't called me yet to tell me that the parts are here.
However the update that they put out does fix the noise. I think that the update makes the screen brighter than it used to be. I feel like what they did was increase the maximum brightness of the screen. This update fixes the noise, but I dunno it also fixes the actual problem.
Hopefully this is the end of that, and we will no longer have problems with the iMacs.

Hi everybody,

Bought my first Imac 2 weeks ago. No more windows for me 😉

Funny, I didn't notice the high pitch sound at first but somehow after reading the different forums, I 'think' I notice it now. Looks like a placebo effect.

I'll keep track of this issue on the forum and, just in case, will call it in at apple.

Cheers!
Laurens
the Netherlands

Ok, I think I know now. When you listen carefully after starting from hibernate,I hear an high pitch sound like the high voltage LCD tv screens. When I put it in hibernate again, the sound is gone. The sound is also gone when the screen is off during screensave mode.

If you really would like to go a step futher: when I keep my ear above the imac and move from left to right, on some positions, I can't hear the sound. When I'm in front of the screen, I hear it again. It starts to annoy me.

I will call it in at Apple on monday.

Cheers!
Laurens

Hello Neudeck,

any luck with the parts they ordered for you or are you still satisfied with the software update?

kind regards
Laurens

Found a youtube movie which demonstrates the problem!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8MWUH9ZhL0&feature=related

Kind regards
Laurens

Hey LaurensS,

So far no phenomenological problems at full brightness with the current update.

The new parts have not been installed as Apple decided to "capture" my iMac. They called me and they told me that they would like to examine my iMac specifically to further investigate this problem. To do that they would need to take my mac as it is right now, without the hardware parts changed.
I am waiting on a replacement mac before I can ship the one I currently have.
Hopefully the other one will be fine. :/

Hello Neudeck,

I've now tried to set the screen brightness to 100%. When I listen carefully, I notice the difference. 100%, no high pitch tone, below 90%, the high pitch tone is there.

I will still call it in at apple tomorrow.

Cheers!
Laurens

Ok, I just had a call with applecare. The friendly lady told me that they had the same problem with on of their own mac's at the helpdesk. They tried to reduce the contrast (not the brightness) but that didn't seem to work either. Finally, a specific part was replaced.

The lady advised me to go to the store (apple servicepoint) and let them have a look at the mac and let them repair it.

I'll call the store in the afternoon (closed in the morning) and see what they say!

Updates will follow!

Cheers!
Laurens

After the Software Update I get the same:

1-3 bars = no noise
4-14 = noise
15-16 = no noise

My perfect brightness is about 10 bars 😟

The fact that they released an update makes me hope that another one will fix the issue. I might give apple a call so that they know people are still unhappy about it.

Just left the apple store here in Amersfoort - the Netherlands. The guy who helped recognized the problem with the noise. I also reported the yellowing on the screen.

Imac was rapped up and is heading for the service center.

Now the waiting begins 😟

Cheers!
LS

Ok, I've decided to send my iMac back. This thing has been giving me migraines. It's new and less than a week old. You would have hoped apple would be able to make a whine-free iMac by now but obviously not.

It's a gorgeous machine but I simply cannot recommend anyone to buy it - there seems to be a very good chance you will receive a £1000 headache inducer.

I purchased my iMac on the weekend and have noticed the hiss. Is there any solution other than a return? And does the return work?

One week has passed and it is still at the apple service center. I called yesterday to get a status update but nothing yet. i'll call again this afternoon.

cheers!
LS