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I have a WD Scorpio Black in my mini and I have the same ticking noise. Actually, the ticking noise occurs when the HD is not in use (browsing the web, etc). I have this program running: http://thireus.dareyourmind.net/index.php/macos-apps/10-clunkiller-kill-your-hard-drive-clunk-noises . The only version that works for me is "clunkiller_old.dmg". It basically just writes to the hard drive every few seconds to prevent the head from parking. Probably not the best thing for longevity but the ticking noise was really bugging me. The never versions send out a wake command instead but that never worked for my drive.
 
alangsam, where did you find the 2TB performance comparisons? Have you had any response to the 2TB drive Apple is using? I'm trying to decide on which i7 to order (1TB or 2TB). I may order the 1TB and replace the drive with a WD 2TB Caviar Black - when they're available.

Thanks.

Hi - Mine is below


Don


Hitachi HDS722020ALA330:

Capacity: 2 TB (2,000,398,934,016 bytes)
Model: Hitachi HDS722020ALA330
Revision: JK0KB23N

It is super quiet !
 
Has anyone returned it yet or is planning to return it? Has anyone compared with another new 27 inch imac to see if this is an isolated incident or something that affects every single 27 inch (which would lead to the conclusion that some people on this forum are deaf)
 
So the Seagates and WDs are noisy and the Hitachi (at least the 2TB) is quiet? That's too bad :(
 
You people crack me up with this stuff. "My hard drive is making seeking noises" ummmmm well its a mechanical HD it will make seek noises, are you seriously complaining about something that is suppose to happen? I would be more worried if it were pings, good god I can hear my HD if I really listen for it, I mean yeah it's not as quiet as my 24" was, but no where near a "problem" please..... Just use your computer and stop looking for the littlest stupid things to complain about. If you are really that concerned about a seek noise from your HD here is your solution link, it will run you a few hundred + more dollars and void your warranty in the progress but you'll be in a nice and quiet state, but wait you can't type on the keyboard or click on the mouse cause those make noises too...
 
I also have an i7 with the 1TB Seagate HDD. It makes noises and is louder than the WD 1.5TB I had in my MacPro, but whatever. Its a mechanical HDD. I usually have music playing, so I'll deal with it.
 
I saw some performance comparisons on 2TB sata drives. Anyone know what brand apple is using in the 27" imac? you can find out by going to about This MAC and then Serial-ATA
Mine is a Hitachi, same model as Don909. A bit noisier than the HD on my white C2D iMac, but much quieter than my Maxtor external Time Machine HD.
 
I hear it (1tb Seagate). Like a low grumble. My white iMac was dead silent and I miss that. Wish there was a way around this.

EDIT: But white imac HD was 230gb drive. I suppose that makes a difference? AND maybe the thinner aluminum is less insulation? Or - can we PUT insulation in there around the drive a bit some how?
 
Are all core i5/core i7 imacs using 1TB seagates or are there multiple models being used for the same model imac? Just wondering.

If you have these issues, please also specify what kind of HD you have. For me, it's the seagate as well. Has anyone called apple about this yet, and what did they reply?
 
You people crack me up with this stuff. "My hard drive is making seeking noises" ummmmm well its a mechanical HD it will make seek noises, are you seriously complaining about something that is suppose to happen? I would be more worried if it were pings, good god I can hear my HD if I really listen for it, I mean yeah it's not as quiet as my 24" was, but no where near a "problem" please..... Just use your computer and stop looking for the littlest stupid things to complain about. If you are really that concerned about a seek noise from your HD here is your solution link, it will run you a few hundred + more dollars and void your warranty in the progress but you'll be in a nice and quiet state, but wait you can't type on the keyboard or click on the mouse cause those make noises too...
You clearly never had a hard drive that's really above-average noisy. If you had, you'd know that it can be in fact extremely irritating to have it grind next to your head all the time, with everything you do. What makes it worse, is that another brand or type is dead quiet (it's nothing strange to have a silent HD), and you're reminded of that fact all day long.

Yes mechanical HDs make noises, some more than others, but some are just down right irritating.
 
You clearly never had a hard drive that's really above-average noisy. If you had, you'd know that it can be in fact extremely irritating to have it grind next to your head all the time, with everything you do. What makes it worse, is that another brand or type is dead quiet (it's nothing strange to have a silent HD), and you're reminded of that fact all day long.

Yes mechanical HDs make noises, some more than others, but some are just down right irritating.

I hear you, but to call this an "issue/problem" is just crazy, it's the way it suppose to work. Also I think people seem to be exaggerating it a bit, I mean come on I can hear the hard drive but it's no louder then typing on the keyboard or clicking the mouse.
 
I have ST31000528ASQ. Is that Seagate?
Anyway, I have the "rumbling" effect in my new i5, but I don't think it's going to be annoying enough to bother me long-term. No clicks at all, unlike the last drive I had in my Macbook Pro, which sounded as if someone was in there winding a watch every few seconds, even when idle. That was terrible and intolerable.
The rumble I hear is very low, but seems to become less noticeable after I've been using the computer for a few minutes. If I wanted to demonstrate the sound, I'd do it immediately after coming out of sleep, when it seems most obvious. But it is NOTHING like as annoying as the click problem I've experienced with other drives.
So far, the computer seems perfect in every other sense... no screen issues etc.
 
Hey guys! Today I returned my iMac i5 because of a noisy harddisk. It was the 1TB Seagate and it made a constant low frequency sound. Really annoying! At first, I tried to ignore it but after some time I just quit trying. My old 24" iMac was totally quiet! I love to work on my iMac at night and this kind of constant noise in my ears was so stressful.

I ordered the same model with the 2TB HDD now. I hope this one shuts up :D!

Also, 2 TB > 1TB soo I guess it should be worth the wait!
 
How would you like someone sitting next to you, clicking a mouse continually, while you were listening to some music, or trying to concentrate?

Are you serious? It is not that loud, good god people stop being so nit picky about this stuff. Your music must be like at 2 or something if you can still hear the hard drive over it. I think florescent lights are louder and more annoying then this would ever be.... I love what another person said earlier. "Maybe I can take it out and insulate it for noise", yeah go right ahead and you'll be failing that drive within no time. I don't know I just think it's crazy to think this is a problem and actually returning the thing on multiple occasions because of it.
 
Hey guys! Today I returned my iMac i5 because of a noisy harddisk. It was the 1TB Seagate and it made a constant low frequency sound. Really annoying! At first, I tried to ignore it but after some time I just quit trying. My old 24" iMac was totally quiet! I love to work on my iMac at night and this kind of constant noise in my ears was so stressful.

I ordered the same model with the 2TB HDD now. I hope this one shuts up :D!

Also, 2 TB > 1TB soo I guess it should be worth the wait!

I think I have the same issue with my 27 inch 2tb drive. Was it a low high pitch noise that sounded like a neon light or something? At first I didn't notice it much but now it's really bothering me.

The new iMac you're getting, is it shipped to you? How is the return process? Do Apple send you a box then they send you the other computer. I don't think I could live without a computer for another 2 weeks... I'm wondering if this is something that could be fixed at the Apple Store
 
At first I didn't notice it much but now it's really bothering me.

I must admit to getting more annoyed by this sound. Almost every action is accompanied by a belly-rumbling sound. The noise is continuous when downloading and even just changing a web page brings low-pitched "moans" from the machine. It's unlike anything I've heard from any Mac before.
 
I must admit to getting more annoyed by this sound. Almost every action is accompanied by a belly-rumbling sound.

I have the 2TB (Hitachi) and yes it does have a belly rumbling sound, BUT it is not unpleasant and about the right volume considering its distance from me. My 'other' PC uses a WD Raptor and the volume is about the same... but that computer is 3 metres away!! (case lid is usually off but you get the idea).

The other sound I hear from the iMac is the fan which has a distinct 'sucking' sound to it (like the MBP), as opposed to my PC which has quiet fans but no associated airflow noise (no obstructions). It's all good.
 
Dfx, i'd also like to know this:

"The new iMac you're getting, is it shipped to you? How is the return process? Do Apple send you a box then they send you the other computer. I don't think I could live without a computer for another 2 weeks... I'm wondering if this is something that could be fixed at the Apple Store"

Did you return it based on the 14 day policy? If so you're now without an imac I assume? Did you call applecare first? What did they say? How can you be sure you won't be getting a seagate again? Is the 2TB not available as a seagate? Oh, and 14 day policy, do apple come and get it or do you have to bring it to them yourself?
 
To my ears it sounds like it's chugging along... it's a lightweight version of the sound one hears when using an Install DVD. But it accompanies every action and even does a bit of it when idle. Not good.
 
Got the same problem with my i5 1tb Seagate HDD :mad: It really is quite annoying, thinking about returning it, also because I got dust on my screen :(

On the other hand I dont want to wait another 3 weeks for getting a new one...
 
i just got my 27" today and it was running fine at first. Then about an hour in, the fan came on. I shut down, restarted, downloaded istat. everything looked normal, but the fan will not shut off unless the computer is off. It's really annoying and I have a headache from it now. I've done all the troubleshooting apple support recommends. No change. The fan just keeps running loudly. I think I'll have to take it to the apple store tomorrow.

Well, that's really smart. You just got a new iMac, turned it on, so the first thing it will do is build its Spotlight index. And it does that when it notices that you haven't been doing anything for a while (because it doesn't slow your machine down while you are doing something). And at some point, after an hour or so, it will start running at full speed.

So you shut your Mac down. And turned it on. Guess what happens when you turn it on: It finds an incomplete Spotlight index. And it does the same thing again. And you start "troubleshooting" when all you need is a bit of patience. It will go away by itself. The more you "troubleshoot" and mess with it, the longer it will take.
 
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