New Powerbook Audio Stutter / Looping / Echo problem

BTW Everyone, Here are all the post and discussions regarding this issue:

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1287819&#1287819

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1200715&#1200715

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1307909&#1307909

http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=1289966&#1289966

Enjoy!

(We definitely need to MAKE this an issue, not just whine and cry bout it - USE you power - Customer is King. Right?)

JC

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=302978

This appears to be Apple's first acknowledgement of this issue.

The times I've experienced the audio issue, I wasn't running an audio app. Once was with the Chess app and another time it was with Mail. On neither occasion did I have an audio app open.

[I'd not seen this name used for the current 15-inch Powerbook before: "PowerBook G4 (15-inch Double-Layer SD)"]

Message was edited by: Bob Mayo

Yup - me too -- exactly the same problem. Can be anything from playing iTunes, to AIM reading back, or a sound feed from a Web page.

I had only one audio app opened and other apps but none audio: Safari, Mail, Terminal, Activity Monitor and Classic Environment with Universalis Encyclopedia
i checked the login items in the preferences and deselected all the startup items
and the audio issue happened twice in a few minutes interval
It seems that the Apple document is not really relevant.

Interesting that there is some acknowledgment of the issue. Too bad it doesn't have anything new for those of us already dealing with it. As for multiple audio apps running... Who doesn't have multiple apps that use audio running all the time. (Finder and iChat anyone?) Maybe they mean two apps that are feeding audio into the system... That still seems sketchy to me. I've had it happen while watching a DVD on my 'book with the Apple supplied DVD Player. (Multiple times.. Grr.) I didn't have anything else actively playing sound while I was watching the dvd. Other times it's happened with iTunes playing and me working on my other machine.

My point is this.. More than one sound application running simultaneously? When is this ever not the case?

Meh. I'm a very sad panda with this and the lined-screen deal.

PowerBook G4 1.67GHz High Def display Mac OS X (10.4.3) 2G RAM, USB Mouse, using wireless networking

Regarding the tech-note #302978, it appears that Apple feels that only the new 15" and 17" powerbooks have some audio limitations. I didn't see these limitations listed in any of the specifications. Had I been told I couldn't run two applications that output audio at the same time (Finder, Mail, iChat?), I certainly wouldn't have purchased a new powerbook.

I suggest calling apple customer relations (USA 800-767-2775) and lodging a complaint. Push them to have the unit returned/replaced. Post your results here.

I am struggling with this problem for 2 months now. I have tried multiple efforts to get my PB repaired in the apple store but the problem kept returning.

I did call Apple. They are aware of this problem, and they are willing to give me a new PB but that would not solve the problem since the same problem would occur.

I was advised to wait untill they found a solution to this problem and take it from there.

It's hard to be patient, all I want is a computer that works properly

HI everyone, one, one, one, one,
I have the probem too. First heard it in itunes. The 12-16 document is a bit odd, to say, say, say the least. How can anyone have only one sound application open at once--esecially on, on, on, on a new apple? I love my apple PB but am beginning to wonder, der, der, der. Will contact applecare today and let you know what happens.
LZ, lz, lz

Rajesh Sharma has a good data point in his post (that this happens with the factory 512Mb RAM). I was noticing that everyone posting to this forum had >512Mb RAM.

hi kg23,
i have 1.5 ram with the factory 512 on top of crucial 1mg stick. lz

I'm glad this issue is finally getting some attention. I started having the audio loops a few days after buying my new Powerbook. (A little less than 3 weeks ago.) I don't get it very often any more (I've fiddled around with my line-out settings and it hasn't been as much of a problem.) But when it does happen it is extremely annoying, and even embarrasing if it happens while I'm showing off my sexy new PowerBook. I'm not going to knock Apple for ignoring this issues, or pushing the unit into production because at the end of the day it is a fine machine, it's just new and, like all new technology, there are bugs to work out.

I see some of you are bringing up the 'screen lines' problem. IMHO the screen lines are not a problem. I can't see them unless I'm staring ungodly close at my screen with the contrast turned all the way up. The screen is beautiful, the computer runs just fine. Now we just need an update that will fix this pesky audio bug.

Powerbook Hi-Res 15" 1.67Ghz Mac OS X (10.4.3) iPod 5th Gen 30GB | Mac Mini 1.42 | 512 Shuffle

The atricle from apple is quite frankly ridiculous!

If I can only run one audio related app at a time, then I would have been better off upgrading to a G3 Pismo, because I can run 2 audio apps on that without echo or stutter problems!

In the UK we have a thing in consumer law regarding a product living up to the purchasers expectations. I expected my new 17" 1.67GHz to outperform my old 1GHz 15" TiBook (quite a reasonable expectation). In this regard it does not, and if the solution isnt found I will be asking for a refund.

Obviously there is a hardware problem. Apple must solve this problem, not find a work around.

Hi trxbloke,
I contacted apple yesterday via telephone and was told that since i only had the problem when checking out music at the i-music store it could be a problem with high traffic due to hoidays. i did get a case number and was advised to keep track of the problem. The product specialists were polite and helpful but unwilling to pay much attention to this thread, even though i played the loop recording for them. Will let you know if the problem shows up again.
LZ

I dont use the iTunes music store.

I did some tests today, and had 1 loop during an Audacity playback. I had quit everything else running with Activity viewer's quit function, then quit Activity viewer. I cant get less running than that and it still looped.

I still get a problem as well if I pull my headphones out during a recording (or plugging them in) which is some of the recording goes missing. I never had this before on Pismo or G4-TiBook.

I am awaiting tech advice from Computer Warehouse, but will demand a refund if this problem is not resolved, as it is a fault and I dont settle for working around a problem when that problem is faulty goods.