acoustic noise level question

[n/a]

First, probably Rob Speed can answer this first one:

I read about a Samsung utility to adjust/manage the acoustic noise level
for Samsung drives - is this some kind of boot disk, or can it be run in
Windows "on-the-fly"?

Secondly:
I have a full-tower that is quite noisy from my two Western Digitals
that are screwed in, and my Maxtor in my removeable caddy.

Has anyone used acoustic cushioning (sound absorbing) material - I see
it on sale at my local shop and I might give it a try. Maybe my case is
a prime candidate given it's dimensions (lots of hollow space)?

 

[J.Clarke]

First, probably Rob Speed can answer this first one:

I read about a Samsung utility to adjust/manage the acoustic noise
level for Samsung drives - is this some kind of boot disk, or can it
be run in Windows "on-the-fly"?

Secondly:
I have a full-tower that is quite noisy from my two Western Digitals
that are screwed in, and my Maxtor in my removeable caddy.

Has anyone used acoustic cushioning (sound absorbing) material - I see

it on sale at my local shop and I might give it a try. Maybe my case
is a prime candidate given it's dimensions (lots of hollow space)?

Generally acoustic lining materials don't do much. You can get acoustic
drive holders that put a 3-1/2 inch drive in a 5-1/4 inch bay with good
isolation--the "Smart Drive 2002C" that
<http://www.siliconacoustics.com> sells is a good bet but you may be
able to get quiet replacement drives for the same price depending on the
capacity of the drives you have. Beware for the "Silentdrive"
enclosure--it works but the cooling it provides is marginal for all but
the lowest-powered drives--if your drives fit its capabilities it does a
very good job but if they don't it can cook them in short order.

Before you buy anything that though, with your case open and powered up,
press your finger against the side of the drive cage where the drives
are located and see if the noise goes away--if so then it's an
interaction between the drive and the case and either moving the drive
to a different bay or adding some damping some isolation in the form of
o-rings or purpose-made grommets may make the noise go away.

Before you do anything you might want to go over to
<http://www.silentpcreview.com> and read the forums and recommendations
there. The "HTPC" forum on <http://www.avsforum.com> also has
considerable discussion of methods to make your machine quieter.

Warning--the quest for the silent machine can become an addiction.

 

[Rod Speed]

I read about a Samsung utility to adjust/manage the acoustic
noise level for Samsung drives - is this some kind of boot disk,
Yep.
http://www.samsung.com/Products/HardDiskDrive/utilities/hutil.htm

or can it be run in Windows "on-the-fly"?

Nope. But AAM is an ATA feature, so any ute that can change
the current setting will do that fine with a Samsung drive.

 

[Folkert Rienstra]

First, probably Rob Speed can answer this first one:

'Corse' he can. 'Corse' he will.