hard drive noise

[Jen]

Hi. you know that noise that a hard drive makes when it boots up or
sometimes when it's being accessed, we have a pc that has that noise the
whole time none stop even when it's not being used and no screen saver is
on.
Is that normal?
The computer works fine and we never have problems with it, (kiss of death
to say that)
but it chudders along all day.
Jen

 

[JS]

How old is the PC and is it the original drive?

JS

 

[Anna]

Hi. you know that noise that a hard drive makes when it boots up or
sometimes when it's being accessed, we have a pc that has that noise the
whole time none stop even when it's not being used and no screen saver is
on.
Is that normal?
The computer works fine and we never have problems with it, (kiss of death
to say that)
but it chudders along all day.
Jen

Jen:
Strange out-of-normal noises emanating from a hard drive can be an ominous
signal that there are problems with the disk and it may be failing. It's
*always* a cause for concern.

Make sure your backups are up-to-date. Don't put this off.

Next, download a hard drive diagnostic utility from the website of the hard
drive's manufacturer. Virtually every major HD manufacturer has such a
diagnostic utility available for download and testing the drive.

If you're a bit unsure about this process (although it's not terribly
complicated) it would be helpful if you have a knowledgeable friend who can
help you.
Anna

 

[RonK]

Are you sure it's not a cooling fan that is making the noise ?

 

[paulmd]

Hi. you know that noise that a hard drive makes when it boots up or
sometimes when it's being accessed, we have a pc that has that noise the
whole time none stop even when it's not being used and no screen saver is
on.
Is that normal?
The computer works fine and we never have problems with it, (kiss of death
to say that)
but it chudders along all day.
Jen

Soft, crunching? or a louder metronome?

Crunching=OK, Metronome=BAD.

If it's been like that since day 1, it's probably OK, but a NEW noise
is always worth an investigation.

 

[Jen]

Thanks all
If crunching means irratic rythm, then yes, although the weird thing is
today it's very quiet and only has the sound of the seconds hand on a clock
PC is around 4 years old. Original Drive. Definately not the fan as we
opened the case up to be sure.
I will do a diagnostic just to be on the safe side.
..

 

[Anna]

Thanks all
If crunching means irratic rythm, then yes, although the weird thing is
today it's very quiet and only has the sound of the seconds hand on a
clock
PC is around 4 years old. Original Drive. Definately not the fan as we
opened the case up to be sure.
I will do a diagnostic just to be on the safe side.

Jen:
I'll reiterate what I previously stated in this thread...

Untoward noises emanating from a hard drive are ALWAYS a cause for alarm and
should be investigated. It doesn't matter whether the "noise" began on day 1
or day 1000. It's NOT "probably OK". ANY abnormal noise from the hard drive
must be considered a cause for concern.

As you have heard from a number of responders to your inquiry you should
immediately check out the drive with the HD diagnostic utility from the
disk's manufacturer (as you apparently are in the process of doing). And
make sure that your backups are current.
Anna