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27" iMac Hard Drive Noise
- Thread starter frenchie0101
- Start date
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I'm curious if anyone has installed Windows via bootcamp and if they are getting the same gurgling (stomach grumble) noise as in OS X.
Update
Work in progress:
1. Knowing that Test Drive was quiet, next step was to remove formatting & currently using Zero Out for data ready for re install of Snow Leopard.
2. Next step will be to check drive for quietness prior to getting tech advise re how re-install bits of backup to hopefully maintain quietness of iMac.
3. If not it goes back!
Work in progress:
1. Knowing that Test Drive was quiet, next step was to remove formatting & currently using Zero Out for data ready for re install of Snow Leopard.
2. Next step will be to check drive for quietness prior to getting tech advise re how re-install bits of backup to hopefully maintain quietness of iMac.
3. If not it goes back!
does it affect only i5/i7 models?
mine is ST31000528ASQ so far OK, once in a while it ticks but for usual operations it is OK, and i can listen to iTunes
mine is ST31000528ASQ so far OK, once in a while it ticks but for usual operations it is OK, and i can listen to iTunes
Don't reinstall the OS, install any apps or transfer any DATA over to the new machine and you will be all set!
Hmmm... as this noise seems most obvious when using the Internet (browsing, downloading) could there be any possibility it is browser-related? My two 15s started out fine, but the noise first appeared when using the Internet. I don't hear it when using, say, my audio editing software.
No, only Safari. But I'm literally just about to box this one up and take it back for a refund at the local Apple Store, so haven't time to experiment. Will be ordering a 2T i5 online when I get back. They've told me it will be here before Christmas... so fingers crossed all will be better.
i ordered my 2TB version on black friday, currently it says i will receive on dec 28th? it better not be that lol
I've WD Caviar Black in my i7 and the sound is good but i still wait for the replacement (dirty under the glass and yellow tint...).
They told me i5s or 17s with 2T ordered today will definitely be with buyers before Christmas.
PS: Tried out Firefox (though without doing a clean install first) and the noise is the same. Off to the Apple Store now...
thanks for trying that cecil... before christmas, that is ordering online and not for the apple store to have one sent there is it (are you US or UK)
Hmm.. I ordered my 2tb on 11/29 (three days after you) and I am showing shipping on 12/14 and receiving on 12/17...
mine says estimated shipping is 16th, delivery 28th
my next question was going to be are you in US or UK but that wouldn't matter would it
my next question was going to be are you in US or UK but that wouldn't matter would it
Well, that's settled. Returned the i5 and now have an i7 with 2T on order.
They again assured me it should be here before Christmas. I live in California.
Update: No sooner does he finish assuring me it will be here before Christmas, he sends me an e-mailed order confirmation that states a Dec. 28th delivery! Can't be bothered to call him back. That's Apple for you.
They again assured me it should be here before Christmas. I live in California.
Update: No sooner does he finish assuring me it will be here before Christmas, he sends me an e-mailed order confirmation that states a Dec. 28th delivery! Can't be bothered to call him back. That's Apple for you.
The problem is Apple are using high performance HDD's in the new I-Macs like the WD Black that are known to be noisy and run hot yet offer superior performance. Your best bet is to chuck a WD Green or Blue in it and sell the drive that comes with the I-Mac.
Im actually about to replace the HDD in my silent 24" I-Mac and i did alot of research on noise levels before buying a Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.c 1TB drive to replace the WD 320gb Blue.
Im actually about to replace the HDD in my silent 24" I-Mac and i did alot of research on noise levels before buying a Hitachi Deskstar 7K1000.c 1TB drive to replace the WD 320gb Blue.
Hahaha to late!
Is your iMac still quiet now you've transferred stuff?
I've just done a clean install & loaded the programmes from the 2nd DVD, downloaded all the updates & my i7 with previously grumbling 2TB Hitachi is now silent!!!
If it can run silent how come it was noisy with the transfer of files from my old iMac? On that there's Parallels, Vista & Mac Office & loads of Word files & iTunes-maybe it's Microsoft sabotage!
My next step is to talk to Apple technician about 'safe' transfer of those programmes & files. It's brilliant now & how it should be. I think this is really weird?
Hi Rogerram
Is it still quiet? Let us know how it goes with the 'safe' transfer of files from you old imac to new - maybe it was the transfer of files that caused it to happen to mine too?
How did you do the 'clean install'
Quiet Hitachi 2TB
Yes it's still quiet-even in silent house & listening carefully-occasionally faint HD noise BUT nothing like the constant grumbling, in other words scarcely noticeable & I'm very happy with it as it is-as quiet as my old 24" iMac.
The first step was to get rid of the Test Drive partition using disk utility & then with Installation DV in place hold C down on restart. It would not boot in this way so then had to choose boot from DVD in System Preferences. Once in the installation menu, next was to use Disk Utility & use the Zero option to clean the 1.97 GB Hitachi-that took ages. Next was install Snow Leopard & the applications from the 2nd DVD. I've run the iMac & used Safari & played YouTube videos on 'silent' & everything's great AND quiet.
I'm feeling optimistic 'cos if the hardware & supplied software can be this quiet logically careful Application & file installation should be OK-if I can learn how to do that. I'm going to checkout Migration Assistant prior to the call back from Apple & will, of course, let you know the outcome.
Yes it's still quiet-even in silent house & listening carefully-occasionally faint HD noise BUT nothing like the constant grumbling, in other words scarcely noticeable & I'm very happy with it as it is-as quiet as my old 24" iMac.
The first step was to get rid of the Test Drive partition using disk utility & then with Installation DV in place hold C down on restart. It would not boot in this way so then had to choose boot from DVD in System Preferences. Once in the installation menu, next was to use Disk Utility & use the Zero option to clean the 1.97 GB Hitachi-that took ages. Next was install Snow Leopard & the applications from the 2nd DVD. I've run the iMac & used Safari & played YouTube videos on 'silent' & everything's great AND quiet.
I'm feeling optimistic 'cos if the hardware & supplied software can be this quiet logically careful Application & file installation should be OK-if I can learn how to do that. I'm going to checkout Migration Assistant prior to the call back from Apple & will, of course, let you know the outcome.
This is really interesting stuff! Y'know, when I received my first Seagate Imac I waited two days before using Migration Assistant to bring stuff over to make sure the screen was good, no problems, etc... I did a lot of web surfing and the machine was indeed SILENT.. Once I ran Migration Assistant and brought data over, (and yes, MS Office for Mac) I started getting the noise.. My second Seagate iMac I ran the Migration Assistant right away, as I wanted to just see if the noise was there.. As mentioned earlier, when Migration assistant is running (copying over approximately 60 gb of data) there was NO drive noise!! No drive noise while writing that much info (photo, movies, music, programs, etc.) But when I finished and launched Safari, grumble, grumble, grumble... hmm...
Well, just got the news that my i5 2tb iMac is being shipped today due to arrive on 12/15 (I ordered it on 11/28)... Frenchie0101, I think yours is taking longer as you ordered the i7, those seem to have farther out dates..
Rogerram, please keep us updated with this valuable information! I read your steps, and for a non-techie it sounds a bit overwhelming.. Will be REAL interested to hear how well things go once you migrate your data!!