Hi! I'm in it with you, just got a used 440 and learning it on my own until dealer classes fit my schedule. There's the "Bernina burp" start up noise, but the noise you described didn't sound right to me. Glad u found the solution. I need to try the BSR soon. Scared, as silly as it is. I also have a 930, but I'm not well versed on that one either. I'm finding the 440 easy enough to learn, but want to learn all its tricks and piccadillos.