D620 HDD never shuts off, keeps cycling.

We have two D-620s in our office. On one of them, the HDD runs constantly and is also constantly cycling from low to high speed. The cycling is at a frequency of around 30 seconds high, 30 seconds low. It's been doing this for a year now. Other than that, it runs fine. Both laptops are being used as desktops with external displays and keyboards. On both the power options are set up correctly and the same settings on both.

Any ideas? Like is it more likely a HDD issue or one with the controller?

 

almost sounds like a Drive fragmentation issue.

you can also check the Task Manager and see what / if something is using resources on you

 

Also, check the BIOS settings for HDD Operation. Default setting should be Bypass.

It could also be a sign of impending HDD failure, so I would take precautions against data loss if it continues.

 

You can try HDDTune and run the SMART error scan, see if you have any bad sectors. Drives can be inherently noisy, you can try quietHDD and fiddle with AAM/APM settings.

 

OP are you sure this is the HDD? I have not heard of HDD's changing speed.....

They only run at one speed and can spin down under s/w settings. Even when they run they are virtually silent, unless the bearings are really shot and then they usually whine or grind (and by that point there would be other symptoms). The HDD should only make a light chattering noise as the head(s) sweep back and forth across the platter as Windows accesses the drive.

I suspect you are hearing the fan not the HDD (or possibly a CD/DVD in the drive that is being pinged occasionally). Differences between the two machines could be down to fluff/dust in the fan or cooling vents, Windows power profile, amount of computing being performed etc. etc.

 

Does it sound like a spinup or a clattering noise?

Is the drive a Samsung? I have one in my E6420 that sounds like it's changing/shifting speeds and it's bloody annoying. Sometimes the drive manufacturer might have a tool that can change power saving settings that Windows can't change. I believe certain WD drives also do this.

And yes, certain newer HDDs have variable rotation speeds, though I think many manufacturers are reconsidering this since it doesn't seem to have much benefit vs cost.