Seagate rumble is still present in 27" refresh!

[cbster]

I just purchased a 27" core i5 standard config and the hard drive is rumbling constantly. Of course I have the Seagate 1tb. It is not very loud, but in a quiet room, it is extremely annoying.

Does anyone with a new i5 or i7 have the Western Digital hard drive?

I hate to return this one because my screen is PERFECT.

[Tobster3]

I just purchased a 27" core i5 standard config and the hard drive is rumbling constantly. Of course I have the Seagate 1tb. It is not very loud, but in a quiet room, it is extremely annoying.

Does anyone with a new i5 or i7 have the Western Digital hard drive?

I hate to return this one because my screen is PERFECT.

I'm interested to know how loud it is. Can you clarify?

[cbster]

I'm interested to know how loud it is. Can you clarify?

It is not very loud. If the ac is on, I cannot hear anything. If the tv is on, i cannot hear anything. But, as soon as the room is quiet, I can hear an almost constant rumble from the hard drive. Its as if the hard drive is getting pegged during a long data transfer, but i'm just idling on a web site.

I have a 2009 21.5" and it is dead silent. The 21.5" has a western digital hard drive.

[Lakailb87]

I just had to send mine in because of this problem, it was extremely annoying. I also had the seagate in mime. Still waiting on replacement hope it doesn't have the same problem

[max777]

I got new i7 27" and it has the Western Digital. Is very quite-- can only faintly hear it under heavy use.

BUT- my screen is not perfect. 1 pixel out, very slight yellowing and white glow on bottom corners --> see other thread by CountlovE

Are you sure your screen is perfect? Would be very interested to know. Try setting background to 100% black

I would swap my setup for a perfect screen and noisy hard drive any day! ;)

[cbster]

I just had to send mine in because of this problem, it was extremely annoying. I also had the seagate in mime. Still waiting on replacement hope it doesn't have the same problem

It is extremely annoying. Did you return it? or did you bring it in for repair?

[GyroFX]

i can hear to "grumble" a little but it's no where as annoying as you guys make it sound. Maybe it's just me

[Lakailb87]

It is extremely annoying. Did you return it? or did you bring it in for repair?

I called AppleCare and the had me send it in today, said they would send me a new one as soon as they see mine was sent. She had me make an audio clip of the sound with GarageBand and she said it was not normal

[cbster]

I got new i7 27" and it has the Western Digital. Is very quite-- can only faintly hear it under heavy use.

BUT- my screen is not perfect. 1 pixel out, very slight yellowing and white glow on bottom corners --> see other thread by CountlovE

Are you sure your screen is perfect? Would be very interested to know. Try setting background to 100% black

I would swap my setup for a perfect screen and noisy hard drive any day! ;)

I have no dead pixels, no yellowing, and no gray banding. (I went through 3 previous model iMacs, so believe me when i say I know what i'm looking for in the screen.)

I do have light bleeding though. I can live with that. IMHO the light bleeding is a normal characteristic of lcd displays. My Sony XBR tv exhibits the same light bleeding.

[cbster]

I called AppleCare and the had me send it in today, said they would send me a new one as soon as they see mine was sent. She had me make an audio clip of the sound with GarageBand and she said it was not normal

Did you buy it from the online store? Was it within the 14 days return window?

[Lakailb87]

Did you buy it from the online store? Was it within the 14 days return window?

I bought it in a retail store which i thought it was weird they had me send it in. Yes I only had the iMac for about 4 or 5 days

[max777]

I have no dead pixels, no yellowing, and no gray banding. (I went through 3 previous model iMacs, so believe me when i say I know what i'm looking for in the screen.)

I do have light bleeding though. I can live with that. IMHO the light bleeding is a normal characteristic of lcd displays. My Sony XBR tv exhibits the same light bleeding.

Interesting- thanks. Well sounds there is hope for me getting a screen that im happy with. Hope I get to keep the Western Digital tho. Good luck getting yours!

[J&JPolangin]

I guess all those years of working in clubs/restaurants did me some good... all the iMacs I've seen have been quite:D

[byron_hinson]

Mine on the new 27" is a noisy Seagate too - kind of grumbles in idle. But when opening an application like iPhoto it churns away as if it is doing a huge transfer which it isn't.

Thing is it works fine and I wouldn't want to return my iMac and end up with some other problems.

[GyroFX]

if it doesn't bother you, keep it

[Spy.be]

I got new i7 27" and it has the Western Digital. Is very quite-- can only faintly hear it under heavy use.

BUT- my screen is not perfect. 1 pixel out, very slight yellowing and white glow on bottom corners --> see other thread by CountlovE

Are you sure your screen is perfect? Would be very interested to know. Try setting background to 100% black

I would swap my setup for a perfect screen and noisy hard drive any day! ;)

is it a 1TB or 2TB drive?

[benji2227]

So if I understood correctly, they are now also putting Western Digital 1Tb HD in the new iMacs. But not all of them :/

[mjohnson1212]

My 2010 i7 2TB shipped with a Hitachi drive and it's quiet.

[Lakailb87]

Just got my replacement iMac 27" and it has a western digital in it. It is so much better than the seagate that was in my first one, super quiet. Also this one didn't have the backlight bleed like my first one had

[product26]

Seagate ST31000528AS in my 1 day new 27" quad core i5. Just as noisy as modern Seagates have always been. I'm going to open this b!tch and replace it with a Western Digital for sure. Also going to throw in 2 Seagate Momentus 7200.3 320gb 2.5" drives and raid 0 them (one in optical bay, one in SSD space).

[byron_hinson]

Seagate ST31000528AS in my 1 day new 27" quad core i5. Just as noisy as modern Seagates have always been. I'm going to open this b!tch and replace it with a Western Digital for sure. Also going to throw in 2 Seagate Momentus 7200.3 320gb 2.5" drives and raid 0 them (one in optical bay, one in SSD space).

There isn't an actual fault with the Seagate's though is there? Just asking as I have one and yeah it is noisy as hell but I can live with it if it works perfectly. What is the best way to test it out?

[Animgif]

My 27" i7 2.93 came with a Hitachi 2TB drive (HDS722020ALA330).

[byron_hinson]

My 27" i7 2.93 came with a Hitachi 2TB drive (HDS722020ALA330).

Silent or noisy?

Returning my new iMac tomorrow, just can't stand the noise after going from silent iMac's and Macbooks for years

[Animgif]

Silent or noisy?

Returning my new iMac tomorrow, just can't stand the noise after going from silent iMac's and Macbooks for years

Very silent.

[product26]

There isn't an actual fault with the Seagate's though is there? Just asking as I have one and yeah it is noisy as hell but I can live with it if it works perfectly. What is the best way to test it out?

Not a faulty drive. Just noisy read/write operation.

Western Digital drives are similarly noisy. I always adjust the AAM setting for quiet operation. If Seagate could allow you to adjust this setting, they could run just as silent if not silent enough.

[benji2227]

Not a faulty drive. Just noisy read/write operation.

Western Digital drives are similarly noisy. I always adjust the AAM setting for quiet operation. If Seagate could allow you to adjust this setting, they could run just as silent if not silent enough.

This is crazy .. :/

Hope I get a Western Digital drive then...

[HvyMtlPlyr]

Interesting. I have a 27" i5 and had the 1TB Seagate drive - which was dead quiet. The drive failed and Apple replaced it with a 1TB Western Digital. Now when the house is real quiet this one has a faint sound like a small refrigerator hum. If this was my first drive I probably would not have thought anything about it as it's not that bad. But knowing that I had a perfectly quiet one before it bothers me a little - not enough to return it though.

Also, I got my old drive back so I could get some data I needed and on the Seagate drive is a small piece of foam glued to the drive case. I'm guessing that due to the compact nature of the iMac the drive comes in contact with something and they probably did not replace the foam. Now the motor hum is being transferred through the case to my stand and to my wood desk. FYI the desk is a big solid piece of wood so no issue there. Also, if I slightly lift the iMac to take pressure of the stand the sound goes away - which is how I know it's resonating through the PC.

My wife thinks I'm nuts and just looking for something wrong - which may be partially true. Like she said, just play something on iTunes and the sounds goes away LOL.

[Mr Freezetag]

Will be snagging a i7 next week or the week after that with just a 1 TB HD from the apple store, NOT online.

Is there any way I can request to have a Western Digital over a Seagate? I'm guessing not because it seems to be randomly inserted in the imacs.

Anybody in the know with some advice/suggestions I would appreciate your knowledge.

Thank you and Cheers

[GyroFX]

i really need to find out how noisy everyone thinks "noisy" is enough to return it. My seagate grumbles a little but I don't think it's that big of a deal...

[product26]

i really need to find out how noisy everyone thinks "noisy" is enough to return it. My seagate grumbles a little but I don't think it's that big of a deal...

Noisy to one person may be completely inaudible to another. I am very sensitive to sound so I notice my computer rumbling.

The old quantum fireball drives in the imacs we once used at the office were LOUD for sure, these current Seagates are VERY quiet in comparison.

Viewing distance is key too, moving the iMac farther away helps with viewing the massive screen with less drive noise as a result.

[bas-macfan]

What is going on with the seagate HDD? I also have a rumble but Apple does not see it as a problem
I read the web but there is no real fix for it. Some have luck re-install everything. Could it be a software thing????
All my hardware tests show my Seagate HDD 1TB is working fine!

[MathijsDelva]

It IS working fine.. It's just something strange, every 3 seconds it gives a few 'grumps'. It's annoying.. I really hope it IS a software issue. If more people could confirm it's fixed by reinstalling? Where did you read that?

[bas-macfan]

It IS working fine.. It's just something strange, every 3 seconds it gives a few 'grumps'. It's annoying.. I really hope it IS a software issue. If more people could confirm it's fixed by reinstalling? Where did you read that?

Just check this post.
http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=806850&page=10

I is somewhere in here. Also the format to 30gb option could be a option..... but would that not be strange??? I mean.... come on! A 1TB drive should work right?

[Man-Droid]

i really need to find out how noisy everyone thinks "noisy" is enough to return it. My seagate grumbles a little but I don't think it's that big of a deal...

A noisy HDD can make for some very mediocre audio recordings. You would understand instantly if you have ever attempted to record an acoustic guitar or violin, etc.

[GyroFX]

A noisy HDD can make for some very mediocre audio recordings. You would understand instantly if you have ever attempted to record an acoustic guitar or violin, etc.

you're right, i don't record so i probably can't grasp just how annoying the HD noise can be.

[NewtypeCJ]

Yeah I get this too. Constant rumble. It is extremely annoying. :\ Not sure what I'm going to do - try to get used to it or swap it out. I got a BTO 21.5" i5.

[stonemann]

So is this an actual fault or the drive just happens to make a noise which people don't like?

[AppleNewton]

i think it varies by drive...I know seagates have been known for their audible read/write/seeking/spinning. Not all, but some.

I use mainly WD Blacks & Greens and have never had an audible drive. unless its right next to your ear. (but then anything is audible at that point lol).


I dont think there is much of a software fix for it, maybe a firmware fix.
I know Hitachis are sometimes audible during read/write/seeking performances.

Theres not much you can do without adjusting the firmware of the drive itself as far as I know.

[cbster]

I called Apple Care and after verifying the noise, they advised me to bring it back to the Apple store to swap it out. When I got there, the sales girl said they need to duplicate the concern. I tried to explain to her that Apple care already heard the noise, and I am just here to swap it out. Anyways, after about an hour (and a lot of B.S.) - they told me i would have to pay a restocking fee to swap it out.

After explaining my story three times, i realized that they were not going to help me.

So, I returned it and paid the restocking fee. I then came home and emailed sjobs.

Almost 24 hours later, no response.

[Vidd]

What's the chance of getting back one without the rampant rumbling?
I'm risking a whole load of other problems now. :(

[GyroFX]

you're playing roulette with that one. You could end up either red or black

[xraydoc]

My 2010 i7 2TB shipped with a Hitachi drive and it's quiet.

Ditto. The only time I've heard it at all is when it spins up from idle. Once up to speed, it doesn't make any noise.
Very quiet (the SSD helps, too :))

[GyroFX]

I called Apple Care and after verifying the noise, they advised me to bring it back to the Apple store to swap it out. When I got there, the sales girl said they need to duplicate the concern. I tried to explain to her that Apple care already heard the noise, and I am just here to swap it out. Anyways, after about an hour (and a lot of B.S.) - they told me i would have to pay a restocking fee to swap it out.

After explaining my story three times, i realized that they were not going to help me.

So, I returned it and paid the restocking fee. I then came home and emailed sjobs.

Almost 24 hours later, no response.

sorry but sjobs isn't going to help alleviate your problems. I'll give you a hundred dollars if he calls up apple care and explains to them to swap out a drive for you

[cbster]

sorry but sjobs isn't going to help alleviate your problems. I'll give you a hundred dollars if he calls up apple care and explains to them to swap out a drive for you

So, what would you recomend my next course of action be?

[MathijsDelva]

Yesterday i arranged a replacement (has HD rumble, yellow screen + brightness buzz) and i asked if it was possible to get another make of the HD instead of the Seagate. They looked it up but they said that's impossible.. Maybe, if my next one also suffers some problems and the rumble is also present, i'll call back, ask for another and demand a 2TB harddrive as those seem to be hitachis which SEEM to be quiet (according to the majority of the posts here) for the same price.

[MathijsDelva]

You know what the funny part is.. Right now i'm transferring about 10GB from my external HD via firewire to my iMac. During that transfer, i can't hear the rumble at all. In fact, i don't hear any noise at all! So it seems the seagate rumble is only during idle moments. :s

[byron_hinson]

Returned mine today and no ordered an i7 online with a 2tb drive to make sure I can avoid the Seagate

[MorphingDragon]

My 27" i7 2.93 came with a Hitachi 2TB drive (HDS722020ALA330).

I consider myself lucky, I got a WD HDD. Hitachi isn't that much better than seagate.

[sheareb]

Mine is 1 TB model ST31000528AS- absolutely no noise whatsoever so its not true that all these drives rumble and make noise.

Having read these forums for a while now it does seem like people can become a bit paranoid - its a mechanical devce after all!

[Vidd]

Having read these forums for a while now it does seem like people can become a bit paranoid - its a mechanical devce after all!
Of course but then again I've been using a 24" iMac for three years and it had no such rumbling. It doesn't sound any different when I start up apps.

[Snowcake]

I consider myself lucky, I got a WD HDD. Hitachi isn't that much better than seagate.

Why?

I hear the people on these forum saying that the Hitachi is very quiet.
What do you exactly mean?

[MorphingDragon]

Why?

I hear the people on these forum saying that the Hitachi is very quiet.
What do you exactly mean?

I'm was talking about quality, not quietness. Hitachi is almost bottom of the barrel grade stuff.

Will it break? No clue, the iMac has a fan for cooling the drive bays, but the ones in the servers at work failed in half a year in a high I/0 environment.

[NeuroEmp]

My Seagate on my pc is a bit noisy when accessing data, i guess i won't complain since i'm use to it. Hope i get a WD on the i7 tho.

[G-Force]

Mine is 1 TB model ST31000528AS- absolutely no noise whatsoever so its not true that all these drives rumble and make noise.
Same for me. I can hear my Seagate drive spin quietly, but it's absolutely silent when the machine is idling. When it has to load apps I can also barely hear it in a silent room. So yes, not all Seagate 1TB drives have this issue. :)

[JAPears]

So if I understood correctly, they are now also putting Western Digital 1Tb HD in the new iMacs. But not all of them :/

I have an intel drive :)

[grantmo]

Mine is a 1TB Western Digital WDC WD1001FALS-40Y6A0 along with my ssd.

My computer is silent I only hear the fans come on when I use handbrake. Even when they come on you can barely hear them.

[xraydoc]

I'm was talking about quality, not quietness. Hitachi is almost bottom of the barrel grade stuff.

Will it break? No clue, the iMac has a fan for cooling the drive bays, but the ones in the servers at work failed in half a year in a high I/0 environment.

All hard drives can fail. Name a brand and I'll show you one, here at my house, that has failed.

[symbology]

My 27" i7 came with the WD 1TB drive as well. I am glad.

So far, no real issues. Maybe some slight bleed in the bottom right corner, but I can live with that. It is no where near as bad as my TV.

[muziq]

So i got my 27 inch i7 and was in pig heaven when this display was flawless...

then this bad boy starting to have tummy problems..

I have the 1TB ST31000528AS Seagate in here, and am regretting not spending the extra dough for the 2TB with hopes of getting the WD drive...

So anyone else have this constant grumbling noises? and if so, do you have to send it back to Apple for a new machine? or can they swap you in a different drive at the Apple store?

I would hate to send this back just to get a bad screen...

My wife thinks i'm crazy for wanting to send it back, but if you are in a quiet room, the constant gurgle drives you insane..

Thoughts?

[Anthony8720]

Figured I would chime in with my observation. I can confirm that I have a Seagate 1TB ST31000528AS that is DEAD silent. After reading this post, I put the computer to work and place my ear over the display with no sound in the room. All I could hear was the quiet hum of fans and occasional slight chirps. I pretty sensitive to sound myself, and couldn't be happier with how quiet this machine is. Also, it's a 21.5" Mid 2010 3.2.

[MorphingDragon]

All hard drives can fail. Name a brand and I'll show you one, here at my house, that has failed.

Yes but Hitachi is a particularly bad brand.

[product26]

Figured I would chime in with my observation. I can confirm that I have a Seagate 1TB ST31000528AS that is DEAD silent. After reading this post, I put the computer to work and place my ear over the display with no sound in the room. All I could hear was the quiet hum of fans and occasional slight chirps. I pretty sensitive to sound myself, and couldn't be happier with how quiet this machine is. Also, it's a 21.5" Mid 2010 3.2.


Can you post info about the drive from your system profiler? Perhaps there is a firmware difference.

Here is info from my rumbly drive:
ST31000528AS:
Capacity: 1 TB (1,000,204,886,016 bytes)
Model: ST31000528AS
Revision: AP25
Serial Number: 6VP42MFF
Native Command Queuing: Yes

[Anthony8720]

Can you post info about the drive from your system profiler? Perhaps there is a firmware difference.

Here is info from my rumbly drive:
ST31000528AS:
Capacity: 1 TB (1,000,204,886,016 bytes)
Model: ST31000528AS
Revision: AP25
Serial Number: 6VP42MFF
Native Command Queuing: Yes

Just took a peek at your stats, and the only thing different about mine is the serial number.

Anthony

[juicedropsdeuce]

So i got my 27 inch i7 and was in pig heaven when this display was flawless...

then this bad boy starting to have tummy problems..

I have the 1TB ST31000528AS Seagate in here, and am regretting not spending the extra dough for the 2TB with hopes of getting the WD drive...

So anyone else have this constant grumbling noises? and if so, do you have to send it back to Apple for a new machine? or can they swap you in a different drive at the Apple store?

I would hate to send this back just to get a bad screen...

My wife thinks i'm crazy for wanting to send it back, but if you are in a quiet room, the constant gurgle drives you insane..

Thoughts?

The safest thing to do is to crack the screen or bend the stand or something. Then call Apple and say it arrived damaged. That way they can't give you any grief for your concern, they will be forced to replace it.

[AlphaDogg]

All hard drives can fail. Name a brand and I'll show you one, here at my house, that has failed.
Maxtor :P... Those suck... :p
The safest thing to do is to crack the screen or bend the stand or something. Then call Apple and say it arrived damaged. That way they can't give you any grief for your concern, they will be forced to replace it.

If you have ever had one of these iMacs, you will understand how hard it is to bend the stand. It is around 1/4" thick aluminum. My dad has a 20" iMac, and I have literally carried it by it's stand and it will not bend.... No, I was not trying to bend it, I was simply trying to carry it.

Edit: I just realized that what you are describing is called fraud. Just putting that out there.