I got my ThinkPad Edge s430 just two days ago, and I was quite happy with it until I connected my headphones and noticed a permanent, very loud, hiss. It's so annoying that I simply can't use any headphones (I've tried with 2-rings and 3-rings jacks; it's the same thing). This appears to be very similar to the situation reported a couple of years ago for the Edge 13 in this thread, which is discouraging, as it seems no solution was found.

Is any one else experiencing this problem?

Hi,

I've been using my S430 for over two months. I didn't have any problem with headphones. To be sure I just tried three different right now, both with two and three rings. Might it be some software or setting problem? (hopefully)

I run Windows 8 clean install, default drivers, no Realtek or Dolby software installed.

Good luck.

Thanks for the answer! I checked out with Ubuntu and the noise is still there, so drivers doesn't seem to be the problem. Hoewver, it's good to know you're not having problems, as I was afraid this could be a design issue. If your computer is fine, mine should be fixable, or replaceable with another unit from the same series. Now I'll have to spend more time and money sending this unit to a Lenovo's support centre. Bummer. Though, while this is my first ThinkPad (not a T series, but still), I wouldn't rush to trash Lenovo. Quirks like this are bound to happen now and then in mass production, and I quite like the computer otherwise.

I'd like to update to Win 8 eventually, if I can keep the bundled software, specially ThinkVantage (but not Norton, ugh). How is it working for you?

Before sending it to Lenovo, you could try with some USB or CD boot, just to see if the noise is still there with other operating system. That way you could be sure regarding if it's a hardware or software issue.

I prefer the Edge series over T because of how I use it and the things I value. It's my third Edge, and probably won't be the last. With some luck, when I replace this, there will be an X1 (X2?) with enough storage and better display. Anyway, I do stress these machines quite a lot and the S430 it's working very good so far. I'm very satisfied, generally speaking. Of course there are things I'd like different (IPS touch screen full HD like the Yoga would be nice, LOL). And I had one issue with the SSD. But is something I'm not too worried about. Only downsides I've encountered so far are the short battery life and the heat it can generate with full load. But because of the system specifications, those were to things to be expected and two things I can live with.

Regarding Windows, I just did a fresh install. I have the same configuration as you do, except I added 4GB of RAM and a secondary HDD. Windows 8 is really fast in this machine. I don't care about bundled software (and I like to be as far away from Symantec software as possible too). I just reinstalled the ThinkVantage and Lenovo tools I use: Active Protection System, Hotkeys, card reader driver, Intel drivers... and that's it. Most of the S430 hardware is being detected by Windows automatically and works better (and faster) without any additional software. The only tool still having compatibilities issues is Power Manager. But since the settings, once applied, are operating system independent, I'm not worried about it: I just set up the battery threshold and that's it.

But you can do a system update and keep all the bundled software (or most of it). See the Windows 8 forum for additional information.

One question, tough: what do you use the micro SSD for? Or are you referring to the mSATA SSD?

Cheers.

Edit: Did you verify for the "listen to this device" option in the recording devices is not checked?

Before sending it to Lenovo, you could try with some USB or CD boot, just to see if the noise is still there with other operating system. That way you could be sure regarding if it's a hardware or software issue.

That's exactly what I did with Ubuntu. ;-) It's hardware, I'm afraid, though the noise goes off after around one hour of usage (but will return if I unplug and replug the audio jack).

I quite like the s430 as well. The two main quibbles I have with it are the unremovable battery (specially as it doesn't last long), and that I wish it had more USB ports, but few ports seems to be the trend nowadays.

Regarding Windows, I just did a fresh install. I have the same configuration as you do, except I added 4GB of RAM and a secondary HDD. Windows 8 is really fast in this machine.

 

I'm planning to add another RAM module as well, it's cheaper than having the factory upgrade. I'm using an external, not so fast, HDD at the moment.

Did you buy your licence for € 15 with MS's discount program?

 I don't care about bundled software (and I like to be as far away from Symantec software as possible too). I just reinstalled the ThinkVantage and Lenovo tools I use: Active Protection System, Hotkeys, card reader driver, Intel drivers... and that's it. Most of the S430 hardware is being detected by Windows automatically and works better (and faster) without any additional software. The only tool still having compatibilities issues is Power Manager. But since the settings, once applied, are operating system independent, I'm not worried about it: I just set up the battery threshold and that's it.

Great! ThinkVantage is what I really want. The other software, not much anyway, I haven't had the opportunity to try yet, so I wanted to keep it in case some of it turns out to be good.

Norton is the first thing to go away from my computers. I rather have viruses!

I'm not very familiar with SSD technology, I just sort of copied and pasted the specs from my order sheet. The verbatim words are "Unité micro SSD 16 Go, Serial ATA3". I understand it's configured for caching. I'll need to run some heavily iterative search algorithms, so I was planning to try to use it for that, but now I'm reading these units have a short burnout cycle, so I'm not so sure.

C'est bon, mon français est horrible. Alors, je préfére l'anglais ou l'espangol !

So, what use would you reccomend for the SSD unit? I don't really think I'll be replacing it, it probably wouldn't be a justifiable expense with my budget. I don't play videogames.

No tan bien como debería, soy un mero estudiante extrangero. Por cierto, el catalán es más bonito que el francés ;-)

Thanks for all your help! I'll send the computer to Lenovo support ASAP.