Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 8

Greetings all--my Visor emits a high-pitched, whining sound when I am using programs like Eudora, Avantgo, SilverScreen, etc. I think the problem has to do with the Visor 'going into' 4-grayscale mode, but I don't know why I should get this noise (hard to hear unless you are close to the PDA--like using it!)

suggestions?

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 54

Are you sure you haven't inadvertantly turned on the backlight???

There is a circuit that generates the required high voltage for the backlight that also generates a high pitch wine.

You turn back light on and off by holding down the power button.

If not then I'm out of ideas.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 8

high pitched whine

nighthawk:
thanks for your reply...i'm positive i dont have the backlight on, but it was good to have the info about the circuit. i think i'll contact the folks at handspring and see if they have any answers.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 638

Actually, the visor emits that high-pitched noise at all times, but it is just much louder when the backlight is turned on. If you place you're ear right against a normal visor you will hear that noise. I bet that if you do that with a Palm it will do the same.

BEN

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 8

Ben:
I actually have a Visor Dexluxe, but tend to refer to it as a palm (perhaps all that use of my old IIIx infected my brain with palm identification-itis)...
anyway, i do understand your point about a 'regular' high ptiched whine, but the one i am referring to (as was nitehawk) is even much more insistent, faster and higher. he's also right about the sound being the same as the one heard when the backlight is on. you can try it for yourself and you will immediately hear the difference between the 'regular' hum and the 'loud' one.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location:
Posts: 30

I have a Visor Plat. And yes, it does make a whine. I have to say though, that it's a lot quieter than my old palm pilot pro. That unit was so loud you it would actually get annoying on quiet nights. It would even make a ticking sound when it was off (probably the charge pump keeping the memory running)

I believe most of these sounds are created by the voltage regulator inside the visor. If it is a switching regulator there is probably a coil in there somewhere. This is (on a much smaller scale) the same thing that happens when you plug any applience with a large transformer in to 110ac. That buzz you hear is the transformer oscilating at 60hz.


Adam

Registered: Mar 2000
Location: Garland, TX, USA
Posts: 108

whining Visor

Hey, my Visor regular is a whiner too!

I just started noticing this when I got my MiniJam. When the MiniJam is in the SpringBoard, my screen has these vertical patches, especially on MJ's startup screen. And then there's the whining.

But now, even with the MJ out of the Visor, I can hear the power supply whine. Or maybe now I'm just listening for it.

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Rob Lund
The Rob Pages
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