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    WD3200BEVT noise issue in Dell studio 1537 with Vista

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by igojsim, Apr 27, 2009.

  1. igojsim

    igojsim Newbie

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    Noise generated by a hard drive is normally composed of:
    - idle noise - plates,
    - seek noise - heads.

    While plates noise is constant (constant RPM) it is the seek noise which in fact makes the hard drive to be loud.
    In my case the situation seems to be a little different. It looks like that on every seek scorpio accelerates its plates - plates become more audible for a short time. The most interesting is that I can notice it only with MS Vista.

    Is there any explanation for that ?
    Thnx.
     
  2. qhn

    qhn Notebook User

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    . Let Vista run a full search indexing.

    . Disable Vista disk indexing afterward

    . Monitor again

    cheers ...
     
  3. igojsim

    igojsim Newbie

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    Done but the clicking noise did not disappear.
    I read somewhere that the NHC tool could be a cure. After setting the Advanced Power Management to 254 the click is no more an issue but the overall hdd noise increased (similar to fan noise).
    Is my hdd defective ?
     
  4. K-TRON

    K-TRON Hi, I'm Jimmy Diesel ^_^

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    The platters will always spin at a continuous speed. The heads do not actually touch the platter. The noise is made from the actuator arm moving inside the drive.

    Most harddrives make this unpleasant noise you speak of. I for one can never hear my harddrives, so it has never proven to be a problem for me.

    K-TRON
     
  5. John Ratsey

    John Ratsey Moderately inquisitive Super Moderator

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    There may an acoustic management option in the BIOS. If so, try the different settings.

    John
     
  6. aidil

    aidil Notebook Evangelist

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    I was also facing the noise issue with WD3200BEVT that came with my Dell Studio 17. Acoustic management setting in BIOS could not keep the noise down. Funny thing is that 7200RPM WD3200BJKT that I bought to replace this 5400RPM drive turns out to be a very quiet drive.
     
  7. igojsim

    igojsim Newbie

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    Yes, this hdd is very noisy. The famous click can be eliminated using APM tool but the overall noise bocomes much higher. I'm not sure now which option is "better" - the click or that noise.
    With ubuntu 9.x - the disk is SILENT, no noise, no clicks or any other special effect. I will have to replace my hdd or to forget about Vista :)