This study focuses on a novel harmonic balance formulation, the high-dimensional harmonic balance method. To investigate a non-linearity in the damping term, the system chosen for study is the Van der Pol's oscillator. Both unforced and forced oscillators are analyzed. The results from the analysis are compared with those obtained from the classical harmonic balance and the time marching (Runge-Kutta) methods. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.