21.5'' iMac - Screen Noise

I've been following this topic since you started it back in Oct 09. This discussion was the reason that I did not buy an iMac back then, as I planned to do to replace my 2005 G5 iMac. My wife has very sensitive hearing and was able to hear the LCD noise in the Apple with the brightness turned down as reported here over and over again. As I posted here about a 10 days ago, I finally gave into my need for a new desktop and bought the $1499 model 21.5" iMac, with the $200 upgraded CPU (3.6 mHz i5). The screen is totally silent at all brightness levels. The HD is silent. I have not even heard fan noise despite doing some video editing (very different from my G5). My computer was apparently (from the QP serial number, FedEx tracking form, and Assembled in the USA on the label) built in California.
It troubles me to read the unhappy experience of those who have "whistling" 21.5" iMacs. There must be some component that is doing this, and it appears to be dependent on the origin of the unit. I hope that Apple will solve this problem for those of you still dealing with it.

BTW, my appreciation for Mac Software has grown based on this buying experience. I used Setup Assistant on initial startup to transfer EVERYTHING from my Time Machine backup HD. A bit more than one hour later my new computer was ready to go, with ALL my applications, settings, etc etc working just like they did on my G5. The new computer's OS even knew to install Rosetta so my Office 2004 applications work, and it transferred over iMove 06 HD, along-side iMovie 09! Very impressive.

Just came back from the store. The technical support guy checked this one also and obviously found a noise. They have proposed me to change it once more and check it directly in the store, since they have only computers from weeks 24-25 (W8024 - W8025) and they all seem to have this issue. The other option was to get a refund, I agreed to that one.

I've also noticed that the guys in the store were really surprised by that issue, they said, that they have only heard of it, but haven't dealt with it before.

I will possibly get a MacBook or a MacBook Pro or wait for iMacs to become stable at last.

Just bought a new imac and of course like all of You same issue, that display is making a high pitch noise (whistle sound) at the middle brightness.
The worst thing in my case is that I bought my imac in Iran where there is no legal Apple store at all and I can't claim for any replacement or warranty!
I've tried to use shades instead of F1 F2 buttons to resolve the problem but the program is making my screen a little bit blue when i'm trying to make it darker!
Today I am really mad at Apple, because after reading more than 30 pages of complains on Apple support discussion forum, They still don't communicate about issues and pretend that they are not aware of it!
and i just want to ask all of you if you found any solution how to fix the problem PLEASE let me know!

i rang applecare again last week and they gave me a case number and asked me to go back to the store to get a refund.
I went back to the store and asked for a refund, the guy wanted me to try another iMac and said I might be 3rd time lucky. I didn't get another one as I thought they are from the same batch and it's likely that they have the same issue. Finally I got my money back. 🙂
Good luck everyone!

Hello Starcub,

you were lucky to get a refund. It wasn'n/isn't possible in my store (long story) so I still have to contact applecare again because my replacement imac from the same batch (W8025) has the same issues. Yellow screen and high pitch noise. The store told me to request a new Imac from a different batch.

They (Applecares customer relations) still have to contact me. I hope they will do that tomorrow.

Kind regards
Laurens

you should ask for a replacement or your money back!

never hesitate about your rights! - it's in their buying agreement with your purchase.

The sooner you complain the better you are of!

{quote:title=cxe04 wrote:}
I've been following this topic since you started it back in Oct 09. This discussion was the reason that I did not buy an iMac back then, as I planned to do to replace my 2005 G5 iMac. My wife has very sensitive hearing and was able to hear the LCD noise in the Apple with the brightness turned down as reported here over and over again. As I posted here about a 10 days ago, I finally gave into my need for a new desktop and bought the $1499 model 21.5" iMac, with the $200 upgraded CPU (3.6 mHz i5). The screen is totally silent at all brightness levels. The HD is silent. I have not even heard fan noise despite doing some video editing (very different from my G5). My computer was apparently (from the QP serial number, FedEx tracking form, and Assembled in the USA on the label) built in California.
It troubles me to read the unhappy experience of those who have "whistling" 21.5" iMacs. There must be some component that is doing this, and it appears to be dependent on the origin of the unit. I hope that Apple will solve this problem for those of you still dealing with it.

{quote}

QP ... seems like an odd serial number to start with (if you check: http://www.tuaw.com/2005/04/14/when-was-your-mac-born/) ... from your description it shoud start with "F" for "Fremont, California, USA".

Could you please open "About This Mac" (Click on Apple-logo in upper-left corner, and choose "About This mac"), click twice on "Version 10.6.4" until you see "Serial Number" and give us your 1st five digits/letters? 🙂

A bit curious where and when it was made 🙂

{quote:title=cxe04 wrote:}
BTW, my appreciation for Mac Software has grown based on this buying experience. I used Setup Assistant on initial startup to transfer EVERYTHING from my Time Machine backup HD. A bit more than one hour later my new computer was ready to go, with ALL my applications, settings, etc etc working just like they did on my G5. The new computer's OS even knew to install Rosetta so my Office 2004 applications work, and it transferred over iMove 06 HD, along-side iMovie 09! Very impressive.

{quote}

Jepp, that's basic-mac-stuff at your work ... 🙂

Honest- it really does begin with QP
The first five letters/numbers are QP037

ALL the markings on the box, UPC area, etc said, "computer assembled in USA"

I checked lots of websites. Most never heard of QP but these two identified it as a USA code:

http://prasys.info/2009/11/understanding-mac-serial-number/




http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

Mehran_marxian wrote:
Just bought a new imac and of course like all of You same issue, that display is making a high pitch noise (whistle sound) at the middle brightness.
The worst thing in my case is that I bought my imac in Iran where there is no legal Apple store at all and I can't claim for any replacement or warranty!

I don't know about Iran and it's legal polcys ... but Apple has it's own policys they brag about very loudly.

Eg. "If you buy a product from us and you're not happy with it - for any reason - you can return it within 14 days and get a full refund"

If I'd where you I would have called AppleCare and talked to them about the issue and mention their own policy ... which they should uphold no matter which country you come from.

Mehran_marxian wrote:
Today I am really mad at Apple, because after reading more than 30 pages of complains on Apple support discussion forum, They still don't communicate about issues and pretend that they are not aware of it!
and i just want to ask all of you if you found any solution how to fix the problem PLEASE let me know!

Me too!

After two months I'm still without a computer and without my money ....

Long story short, I got 3 replacements ... and when I called the 4th time they couldn't offer me a 4th, but they where willing to give me a full refund ... so I jumped at the chance.

Today, more then 3 week later, I still haven't received my refund. But I did complaining about this during the week, and today (friday afternoon) I did received a message that they have finally woken up the financial staff and they will start to process my refund (within in 5 working days) ...).

So I'll be holding my breath for a 4th week 🙂

cxe04 wrote:
Honest- it really does begin with QP
The first five letters/numbers are QP037

ALL the markings on the box, UPC area, etc said, "computer assembled in USA"

I checked lots of websites. Most never heard of QP but these two identified it as a USA code:

http://prasys.info/2009/11/understanding-mac-serial-number/
http://www.chipmunk.nl/klantenservice/applemodel.html

Then they have a new facility 🙂

So yours was made week 37.

Now the question is, if all the other iMacs from their other facilities around the globe do produce good iMacs from week 37 (and forth).

Got a third new one about a week ago. Sold it without opening it and took my 150 euro's loss. Buyers are happy with it. No more mac for me. Back to windows. Batch was from week 32 I believe. W8032.

Cheers!
Laurens

LaurensS wrote:
Got a third new one about a week ago. Sold it without opening it and took my 150 euro's loss.
Buyers are happy with it. No more mac for me. Back to windows.
Batch was from week 32 I believe. W8032.

Bummer, that you had to loose EUR 150.

...

Regarding my issue, I'm way more happy today - received my full refund today (that was quick! - sorta, after 3 weeks 🙂 ...)

But, once you've gone Mac ... (IMHO) ... you kinda aren't never going back to Linux (or windows) =) ... so I'll either get a new iMac from a store where I can test it before I pay for it ... or I'll go Mac Pro. Decisions, decisions time 🙂

I'll keep you posted about the serial numbers I'll come across.

Cheers.

I brought mine in yesterday for the same problem and the genius said that they were going to replace the power supply to see if it will fix it, still waiting for the results. Do you think this will be the fix or do you think they will end up replacing the whole computer?

danalien wrote:

Regarding my issue, I'm way more happy today - received my full refund today (that was quick! - sorta, after 3 weeks 🙂 ...)

But, once you've gone Mac ... (IMHO) ... you kinda aren't never going back to Linux (or windows) =) ... so I'll either get a new iMac from a store where I can test it before I pay for it ... or I'll go Mac Pro. Decisions, decisions time 🙂

I'll keep you posted about the serial numbers I'll come across.

Cheers.

Well, I made a new attempt and ordered a new iMac. This time I went with the new 27" and I added a few custom choices (as this would require them to have a 2nd person assemble it to my specs).

After I place my order, I called the next day and asked if they could ask that "2nd person" to check the computer before they ship it (seems logical to have them check it beforehand then go thru replacements if it would have the same issues again).

But! .... they couldn't help me ... "Apple Policys" restricted them from being able to help me with this tiny request - even though they knew what I have been thru before (talked to the some person again).

So I took the plung any way, crossed my fingers and hopped for the best - sadly, hopping isn't enough! 😟

I received it yesterday - and not only did it have the same "brightness screen noise" issue. The display was cracked in several places aswell (this do the rechargeable battery pack I ordered got loose from it's compartment in the box and hit the display while it was handled during shipping).

Guess it's back to the complaining department again 😟 ... this time if they won't offer me more personal assistent I'm d*mn going to write a personal letter and UPS it to Steve Jobs!