My Raspberry Pi B+ Squeals

Not really related to RISC OS of course… when I switch on my B+, it makes a squealing sound, which settles down until it’s inaudible at the the desktop.

Neither of my two model Bs squealed in such a manner and I’m using the same PSU. Nothing new or additional is plugged in. To check it wasn’t the display, I switched it off.

I’m a software guy, not an electronics guy, but I always thought squealing components was a sign of strain. Anyone else have a B+ that squeals?

The only thing I can think of here is the switching power regulation which was added to the B+. This requires an inductor coil which is probably the source of the noise (looking at a picture of the board I would think one of the two components marked 4R7 on the bottom-left of the PCB is to blame). Sounds to me like you have a faulty component; either try replacing the coils or simply return the B+ and get a replacement.

This requires an inductor coil which is probably the source of the noise (looking at a picture of the board I would think one of the two components marked 4R7 on the bottom-left of the PCB is to blame). Sounds to me like you have a faulty component; either try replacing the coils or simply return the B+ and get a replacement.

If it is the coils then the vibration can be suppressed with a dab of bath/sink sealant (silicone rubber) or those sticky rubber blobs used by sales people to hold promotional items onto the front of magazine these have the advantage of being removable and not producing any pong. Called “craft dots”¹ but I prefer the home description.

¹ Referred to as “artificial bogeys” in our house