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27" iMac Hard Drive Noise

My i7 have a Seagate drive and it is really louder then my old 24" WD HDD. Its really louder in reading write and also when is not used!

the strange think is that the problem strated durin migration utility data copy from my Time Machine Backup! its really strange think!!
 
torana355 said:
Mate i just installed a different brand drive in my 2008 I-Mac and I-stat plus the fact that i cant hear the fan tells me the HDD fan is only spinning at 1200rpm. The late 2009 I-Macs may be different, but like it stated mine is a 2008 model.
Click to expand...

Maybe there are some owners of the Biondi Blue iMac out there, who could be similarly helpful?
 
I erased my 2TB Hitachi HD today and reinstalled OSX. The HD no longer grumbles.

Will manually transfer some files across from my old iMac rather than use Migration Assistant to transfer everything. I will update once I have moved stuff across, but I suspect the problem has been something to do with the original transfer.
 
Wow, if my Seagate ever starts rumbling I'm going to try a magic spell and if that doesn't work maybe an exorcist. Since a HD erase and clean install of OS X silences HDs there's no reason my ideas won't work too.
 
SaSaSushi said:
Wow, if my Seagate ever starts rumbling I'm going to try a magic spell and if that doesn't work maybe an exorcist. Since a HD erase and clean install of OS X silences HDs there's no reason my ideas won't work too.
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Very helpfiul, thanks. The point is, every time i used a browser the HD went mad before. Now it doesn't, despite the fact I have loaded loads of software, files, mp3s, photos and movies.
 
I also zeroed out a 1TB seagate and reinstalled SL. Not to test this theory but because I had to return it. Anyway, after that was done it still makes the same loud noise as ever. Not that I would expect otherwise. I did find it weird how silent the zeroing out is though..
 
Clean erase/install did nothing to quieten my 1T Seagate, though it was not noisy for a few days when fresh from the box.
 
Funny, I just got a new Dell precision laptop from work with a Seagate HDD and guess what?? It makes the same tick tick tick every two seconds which is driving me crazy. The sound is there even when there is absolitely no HDD activity
In the BIOS setup I have been changing the HDD settings from quiter/slower and faster/noisier and it makes no difference.
Im about to attempt to update the driver's firmware, lets see if that does something :) Maybe that could also work for the iMacs?
 
SaSaSushi said:
Maybe that has something to do with the fact that erase/install has no effect on the noise ANY hard disk makes, period. :p
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yes i think we get the idea mate, no need to keep going on, we are bassicly talking to each other (communicating) who cares about facts about a HDD the fact is they shouldnt make annoying noises...with all your fantastic knowledge on HDD why dont you get a job creating them and do us all a favour and make one thats quiet
 
In general I've noticed that Intel chips seem to read the HDD in a way that creates more noise than the old PPC chips did.

I figure a 2 Terabyte HDD is going to operate differently from a 160GB HDD, there is a lot more to cover.

It's to occasionally hear something from the computer, it's dead quiet in general.
 
Xtremehkr said:
In general I've noticed that Intel chips seem to read the HDD in a way that creates more noise than the old PPC chips did.

I figure a 2 Terabyte HDD is going to operate differently from a 160GB HDD, there is a lot more to cover.

It's to occasionally hear something from the computer, it's dead quiet in general.
Click to expand...

The issue at the heart of this thread is an unusual, impossible-to-ignore groaning, gurgling, deep sound that is apparent with the iMac's Seagate 1T drive.
It is no more normal than a telephone ringing when no-one is calling.
 
frenchie0101 said:
yes i think we get the idea mate, no need to keep going on, we are bassicly talking to each other (communicating) who cares about facts about a HDD the fact is they shouldnt make annoying noises...with all your fantastic knowledge on HDD why dont you get a job creating them and do us all a favour and make one thats quiet
Click to expand...

I already have one that's quiet.

Let me know when you do finally get that simple concept.

In the meantime, do feel free to continue posting ridiculous comments about how writing zeroes and reinstalling OSes can magically reduce the level of noise the hardware produces.

You gotta love quotes like "who cares about facts"! lol
 
ElC said:
I erased my 2TB Hitachi HD today and reinstalled OSX. The HD no longer grumbles.

Will manually transfer some files across from my old iMac rather than use Migration Assistant to transfer everything. I will update once I have moved stuff across, but I suspect the problem has been something to do with the original transfer.
Click to expand...

Hey that's great. My 2TB Hitachi i7 remains mouse-quiet with no discernable HD noise. I also did a clean install on the original Seagate & that did nothing, although the noise was quite different.

As a PS for sasasushi you may 'know' that what I & ElC did can't make any difference. However, the facts speak for themselves & if you have a different explanation-what is it? The detailed info I've given has been for the possible benefit of others & reassurance for those who've ordered 2TB replacements. I don't see the point of your sarcasm about magic spells & perhaps your absolute knowledge about wiping & re-installing not making any difference is due for review?
 
ElC said:
I erased my 2TB Hitachi HD today and reinstalled OSX. The HD no longer grumbles.

Will manually transfer some files across from my old iMac rather than use Migration Assistant to transfer everything. I will update once I have moved stuff across, but I suspect the problem has been something to do with the original transfer.
Click to expand...

EIC and rogerram, this is great feedback and I appreciate you both taking the time to document your results!! I get my new 2tb iMac delivered Monday, and will definitely take any steps to ensure that my user experience is a quiet one!

So just to make sure I understand (I need to go back and re-read all of the posts):

1) I need to erase my HD and do a clean re-install of the OS.. Hmm.. as a non techie, this seems intense.. Is this an easy thing to do, and if so, should I do it when the Mac is right out of the box?

2) Did you both confirm that is better to do a manual migration versus Migration Assistant? Or does it matter? I have all my stuff on a back up (I use Super Duper), should I pull from that? Maybe avoid pulling over programs and just pull over data and re-download programs separately?

Thanks!
 
mdewberry said:
1) I need to erase my HD and do a clean re-install of the OS.. Hmm.. as a non techie, this seems intense.. Is this an easy thing to do, and if so, should I do it when the Mac is right out of the box?
Click to expand...

Erase/install just puts you back to where you started with your new machine. No point doing it unless you detect problems with the factory install.

But it's easy to do... just google "Erase Install Snow Leopard" and there are numerous sites describing the process step-by-step and giving opinions about the benefits of custom installs etc.
 
mdewberry said:
EIC and rogerram, this is great feedback and I appreciate you both taking the time to document your results!! I get my new 2tb iMac delivered Monday, and will definitely take any steps to ensure that my user experience is a quiet one!

So just to make sure I understand (I need to go back and re-read all of the posts):

1) I need to erase my HD and do a clean re-install of the OS.. Hmm.. as a non techie, this seems intense.. Is this an easy thing to do, and if so, should I do it when the Mac is right out of the box?

2) Did you both confirm that is better to do a manual migration versus Migration Assistant? Or does it matter? I have all my stuff on a back up (I use Super Duper), should I pull from that? Maybe avoid pulling over programs and just pull over data and re-download programs separately?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Hi,
You don't need to erase & do a clean install-the only reason I needed to do that was because on set up I transferred everything from my old Time Capsule backup of my old iMac. This caused the problem-don't ask me why!

I reckon if you turn it on & download the updates you should have a quiet machine. Next pull stuff from your backup perhaps 1 program & data at a time then if your iMac is noisy delete what you've just installed.

I'm not a 'techie' but I know that the complete install from my old iMac caused the problem. I know this because with the help of Apple 2nd level support I had a hard drive partition with a clean install on one section & the original iMac backup install on the other. Result: silence with the clean install, 'grumbles' with the old imac backup install.

Enjoy your new iMac-it's a wonderful bit of kit & I love using mine (now!).
 
Got my new iMac 27 which i re-ordered with a 2TB drive!

The HDD is extremely quiet. The fans is the only thing i hear when everything
else in the house is dead quiet. I can sleep two metres from the iMac without
any problems at all!

Hope the two extra grands was worth it!
 
rogerram said:
As a PS for sasasushi you may 'know' that what I & ElC did can't make any difference. However, the facts speak for themselves & if you have a different explanation-what is it? The detailed info I've given has been for the possible benefit of others & reassurance for those who've ordered 2TB replacements. I don't see the point of your sarcasm about magic spells & perhaps your absolute knowledge about wiping & re-installing not making any difference is due for review?
Click to expand...

I'd like to think there is a logical cause and effect where this sort of thing is concerned. This is why I suggested that perhaps it was a matter of no fragmentation upon fresh install. So, it IS possible that a clean install would result in quieter drives. Someone else then suggested that restoring the data from a Time Capsule backup would restore any fragmentation with it. I don't know if that's the case or not but if you tell me that your drive is still silent after doing so I guess not.

If it worked for you then fine. I'm glad you are happy with your machine now as I am with mine. Cheers!
 
Hi,
I still haven't been able to upgrade the firmware of this HDD, i'll try to do it on Monday (need to buy an empty cdrom to burn the upgrade software).

In any case, after going through all the posts once again, is it correct to affirm that 2 TB models are less noisy than 1 TB models?
 
Another Tidbit of Info

Greetings, thought this might be of interest...
Received i7 w/1TB (Model: ST31000528ASQ), super machine except for noise issue most folks are discussing. I contacted Apple Care - 1st Tier supporter immediately elevated to 'executive' level, top tier person even made on-line Genius Bar appointment for me. Genius Bar findings recommended complete iMac replacement due to "...much louder than normal hard drive noise". Apple offered to right away order replacement, said I could retain current machine until new one arrives (secured w/credit card which cancels out if I return original machine w/in 30 days of receiving replacement). Also, if I want to upgrade to 2 TB HD (since it seems reliably quieter) I can do so. And, even though I bought a 1TB external G-Drive which is now past 14 day return 'window', if i upgrade to 2TB iMac I can exchange 1TB for 2TB G-Drive. Although I would have preferred no issues Apple is providing excellent customer support/resolution. BTW, Genius Bar said if replacement iMac HD still makes noise they'll then order just a replacement drive and fix until I'm satisfied - nice.
 
Ok, so I just managed to run the firmware upgrade on a Seagate ST9250410ASG and the click noise is totally gone. I just did the fw upgrade, no format, defrag or anything else.

NOTE: Keep in mind that this is NOT the iMac's HDD, instead the drive came on a Dell Precision M4400 Laptop, but it was showing the same simptoms and it is also a Seagate.

Hopefully this means that Appl can and should come up with a hard drive firmwre update ASAP which will fix the problem.
 
Sir Cecil said:
The issue at the heart of this thread is an unusual, impossible-to-ignore groaning, gurgling, deep sound that is apparent with the iMac's Seagate 1T drive.
It is no more normal than a telephone ringing when no-one is calling.
Click to expand...

Oh, that makes more sense, because the 2TB drive makes noise, but nothing concerning.
 
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