The Notebook Review forums were hosted by TechTarget, who shut down them down on January 31, 2022. This static read-only archive was pulled by NBR forum users between January 20 and January 31, 2022, in an effort to make sure that the valuable technical information that had been posted on the forums is preserved. For current discussions, many NBR forum users moved over to NotebookTalk.net after the shutdown.
Problems? See this thread at archive.org.

    WD external hdd 750 GB - noisy, how to fix that noise, help please?

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by jimmy-floyd, Feb 26, 2008.

  1. jimmy-floyd

    jimmy-floyd Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    325
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Bought WD 750GB, found it somewhat noisy, and that noise goes from the vent, which is working all the time. How to fix this and does the 500GB model has the same vent noise? cos if no (that 500GB is more silent) i'll change my 750GB on 500GB model, if yes i'll cope with it. i have heard that only TB models are noisy.
     
    jimmy-floyd, Feb 26, 2008
    #1
  2. jin07

    jin07 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,194
    Messages:
    1,889
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I have the 320 GB My Book and it's somewhat noisy as well. Nothing that I really care about though, because it's strictly for back-up. I've heard, and by heard I mean read reviews on newegg, that the Western Digital Passport Portable external HDs are silent. I've seen them up to 320 GB.
     
    jin07, Feb 26, 2008
    #2
  3. jimmy-floyd

    jimmy-floyd Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    325
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    so, now i understand that it is better to shud it down when not using. by the way - the Power/Safe Shutdown button is in the center of a circle, right?
     
    jimmy-floyd, Feb 27, 2008
    #3
  4. ifti

    ifti Undiscovered

    Reputations:
    188
    Messages:
    2,287
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    I have a 500GB Western Digital My Book Pro - its silent. No noise at all - except for the usual HDD reading/writing noise, but thats minimal anyways.
     
    ifti, Feb 27, 2008
    #4
  5. ez2remember

    ez2remember Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    28
    Messages:
    494
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    ez2remember, Feb 27, 2008
    #5
  6. jimmy-floyd

    jimmy-floyd Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    325
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    ifti,
    hm.. maybe i should change mine 750GB to 500GB? but i've heard that only TB models are noisy. Mine WS full name is 750GB Mybook Premium Edition.
    ez2remember,
    thanks for the link, i'll ask about my issue also on silentpcreview forum.
     
    jimmy-floyd, Feb 27, 2008
    #6
  7. jin07

    jin07 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,194
    Messages:
    1,889
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    It's probably marginally better, because less wear-down if it's not plugged in. I think if you just unplug the USB connecting the HD to the laptop, it shuts down (you could keep the cable right next to your laptop and plug it in when needed). Since I use the HD so rarely I keep it in the drawers. I don't think it ever completely shuts down while it's plugged in. I'm not sure so I'd check the manual or try it out.
     
    jin07, Feb 27, 2008
    #7
  8. jimmy-floyd

    jimmy-floyd Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    325
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    thanks for advice. and what's about the Power/Safe Shutdown button - is it better to leave hdd plugged in via usb and simply press this button in the middle of a circle to shut it down (i searched through the manual and haven't found what is better to do, WD simply says to use Power button on hdd or safely eject it in windows, then disconnect) or is it better to unplug usb from notebook?
     
    jimmy-floyd, Feb 28, 2008
    #8
  9. jin07

    jin07 Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

    Reputations:
    1,194
    Messages:
    1,889
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    55
    It probably amounts to basically the same thing.
     
    jin07, Feb 28, 2008
    #9
  10. jimmy-floyd

    jimmy-floyd Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    325
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    ok, also i have some issue: when i click WD button in system tray - i can't eject my wd and then i click on it via right muse click and select safely remove.. message apperars stating: "WD could NOT be removed now, please close all runing programs and try again later". but i have closed programs and tried later, but it appears again.. any suggestions?
     
    jimmy-floyd, Feb 28, 2008
    #10
  11. jimmy-floyd

    jimmy-floyd Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    325
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    i have found some info:
    so there are 2 series of WD external HDD's: WDG and WDH.
    WDG(it's mine and i've checked on the box that right) has a vent and is based on AAKS, WDH hasn't got a vent and is based on AACS.
    Therefore some questions:
    1) What is the diffrence between AAKS and AACS, and what is the best one?
    2) User from russian forum(he has got wWD 750GB, WDH series, AACS) said that WDH with AACS is the new generation hdd's and that WDH series are better, is it true?
    3) I suppose to change my WD for Seagate Freagent 750GB, therefore, how noisy is Seagate 750GB? it's very important for me to know.
     
    jimmy-floyd, Mar 1, 2008
    #11
  12. Meemat

    Meemat Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    127
    Messages:
    462
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    I have a 500GB Western Digital External HD and it doesn't have any fans or anything...just passive cooling.

    It's pretty quiet, the only thing I notice is whenever it spins up after a standby period.
     
    Meemat, Mar 1, 2008
    #12
  13. jimmy-floyd

    jimmy-floyd Notebook Evangelist

    Reputations:
    9
    Messages:
    325
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    30
    Meemat
    seems you have WDHxxx.. model. check it out on the box or at the rear of your WD.
    And what's about Seagate FreagentPro 750GB, is it noisy as WD WDGseries?
     
    jimmy-floyd, Mar 2, 2008
    #13
  14. Tinderbox (UK)

    Tinderbox (UK) BAKED BEAN KING

    Reputations:
    4,740
    Messages:
    8,513
    Likes Received:
    3,823
    Trophy Points:
    431
    Hi.

    I ordered an "Western Digital Elements 500GB USB 2.0 External Hard Drive" from Amazon UK yesterday.

    I hope it is quiet as it`s going to be plugged in 24/7

    regards

    John.
     
    Tinderbox (UK), Mar 2, 2008
    #14
  15. mr_fusion

    mr_fusion Newbie

    Reputations:
    0
    Messages:
    1
    Likes Received:
    0
    Trophy Points:
    5
    The AACS series is WD's "Green" series of HD's... they start at a rotational speed of 5400 rpm and then ramp up as needed. The result is lower power consumption, lower heat (and therefore no fan needs for external enclosures) and lower overall speed (performance). The AAKS series is their performance drives running at 7200 rpm. Choose your drive based on your usage - that will determine your best choice (...and don't mix & match if they're going into a raid)

    Bottom line, if you're going for quiet, look for the ones with the AACS drives.
     
    mr_fusion, Mar 12, 2008
    #15