13" MBP clanking noise

[wakka092]

When I lift my MBP, there is a obvious clanking noise coming from the inside of the computer to the right of the trackpad. I don't have a disc inserted into the drive, so what could be the problem? Anyone else experiencing this? Thanks!

 

[mikethebigo]

When I lift my MBP, there is a obvious clanking noise coming from the inside of the computer to the right of the trackpad. I don't have a disc inserted into the drive, so what could be the problem? Anyone else experiencing this? Thanks!

Is it your hard drive spinning?

 

[wakka092]

Is it your hard drive spinning?

No, the sound only occurs when the MBP is moved, like in my lap or getting up from the couch, etc. Not exactly heavy abuse.

 

[macinsanity]

I believe there is a locking mechanism in many laptops so that the hard disk locks when you move it while its spinning. It is a safety measure so that the hard disk is not damaged.

Just my guess.

I'm hearing the same thing on my 13" Mid 2009 uMBP.

 

[JimboJones97]

That is the SMS (sudden motion sensor) parking the head of the hard drive. This keeps the head from crashing into the HD platter and damaging it. This technology has been around since the iBook and PowerBook days. I've owned many iBooks and PBs, but for some reason the noise is extra loud on the unibody macbooks.

 

[Jongewehr]

That is the SMS (sudden motion sensor) parking the head of the hard drive. This keeps the head from crashing into the HD platter and damaging it. This technology has been around since the iBook and PowerBook days. I've owned many iBooks and PBs, but for some reason the noise is extra loud on the unibody macbooks.

yes i notice mine all the time, i like it , kinda lets you know its workin lol

 

[wakka092]

That makes complete sense. Just surprising considering the iBook sitting across the room never made a sound when the SMS was activated. Thanks guys

 

[reallynotnick]

Yeah I noticed the same thing on my 13in MBP, kinda weirded me out. Maybe when SSD drops into my price range I can get rid of it.

 

[ShiftyPig]

I came here to research this exact issue. Never noticed it with my 2008 aluminum MB.

The hard drive does seem to be a little noisier, but at least the clanking isn't an issue.

 

[mikethebigo]

Haha! I just noticed that sound for the first time when taking the system down a flight of stairs. I have to say, that's cool.

 

[Love]

...sorry. Made a really ignorant post here, didn't read your post clear enough!

Basically, it is the SMS. Happens on mine, too. Not as much a clank and more of a "thck" sound.

 

[Stardotboy]

Yes I've had exactly the same issue with mine. At first I was a bit worried that my hard drive was doing something untoward, but after reading around a bit I feel more content that it's working as intended

 

[ShiftyPig]

Bit of an old bump, but updated to say that my hard drive has failed after less than a month.

Not sure if it was SMS-related, but compared to my previous model uMB it was ridiculously sensitive.

 

[miles01110]

That makes complete sense. Just surprising considering the iBook sitting across the room never made a sound when the SMS was activated. Thanks guys

The iBook doesn't have an SMS...

Bit of an old bump, but updated to say that my hard drive has failed after less than a month.

Not sure if it was SMS-related, but compared to my previous model uMB it was ridiculously sensitive.

It probably wasn't. Hard drives are shots in the dark in terms of getting a good unit vs a bad unit anyways.

 

[Nykwil]

is there any definitive word on weather or not the the WD scorpio blue 500gb's "shockguard" interferes with the macbook's built in SMS?

 

[Vulcan]

I noticed it on mine too.