HP compaq mini sound problems.?

My HP compaq mini laptop has begun producing a sound akin to that of a fanbelt slipping on a car. The sound is produced either through onboard speakers or through headphones when these are connected. Although it's not an entertainment PC, it's a highly irritating issue, as I'm unable to listen to anything on the computer, including voice notes or skype conversations. Is this a universal problem with HP's, as I have noticed in online forum that many other laptop owners have had similar issues? I disabled the graphic equaliser in Windows Media Player, as instructed, but this made no difference whatsoever. Anybody had a posisitve experience and managed to resolve the issue? Or do I have to convince technical support that their troubleshooters are worse than useless?