Clunking sound from Macbook Pro HDD

[jeremynsl]

Hi,

Last month I bought my first Mac - a refurbished Macbook Pro 2.2 from the Apple.ca store.

About 1 week after I purchased it, I noticed a frequent 'clunking' sound came from the HDD. I figured it was just the drive parking or somesuch. But it continued, every 30-180 sec - even when no programs are running. Such as at the login screen. It sounds like a normal seeking sound, then a clunk like the HDD is shutting down.

This all points to a dying HDD I would think. I called Apple support about it since the MBP is obviously still under warranty. They were sympathetic, but said they couldn't do anything for me since they can't verify the noise over the phone. They suggested I bring it to a local Mac dealer.

I've done that, and I'm on the Mac dealer's waiting list now - which could take several weeks. But I have my worries about this - will I be charged for this? IMO I shouldn't have to pay a cent for this failing hard drive whatsoever. I'm disappointed that Apple just wouldn't let me send the thing back since I've JUST purchased this... Would I be lying about this noise?

So I'm a bit confused as to what to do next and would like some advice - perhaps from others who have had HDD problems with a MBP. Thanks,

Jeremy

 

[BugHunter]

Clicking HD

I wouldn't worry about being charged, I'm pretty sure they can't charge you anything unless you have agreed to it, (while Apple may not have the best service when things go wrong, I've never heard of them suprise charging when somebody puts their product in under warranty).

That being said, my HD clicks every 20 seconds or so, and from what I researched it's not actually going to cause problems (I've had it for 6 months now).
It used to drive me crazy, now it's background noise.

(So just warning you that they might opt not to fix ).

 

[jeremynsl]

Yes, I'm also afraid they will choose not to repair it. I've owned quite a few PCs over the years, and a hard drive making unusual noises is almost always a sign of failure (yes, this is a Mac not a PC - but it just uses off the shelf SATA drives...)

Its a problem because I need this laptop for work and I'm not sure I can trust it with my work data...

I guess I'll just have to see what they say at the dealers.

 

[CJRhoades]

Is it an actual clunking sound or is it a slight clicking sound. If its just some soft clicking, don't worry about it. Thats how it's supposed to sound. Otherwise, be afraid. Applecare is bad about not replacing things that they should for free.

 

[e12a]

try this:
System Preferences > Energy Saver > Sleep > uncheck Put the Hard Disks to sleep whenever possible.

It might or might not work. Its worth a shot.

 

[jeremynsl]

Its not a click... Definitely a different sound than I've ever heard a HDD make.

And I've already tried that option in Energy Saver. Thanks though.

 

[S600MBUSA]

Do you have any information on the S.M.A.R.T. status of the HD? S.M.A.R.T. won't catch everything, but it may warn you of a problem.

Make sure any important information is backed up.

 

[Neil321]

Up until a couple of weeks ago i had one of those seagate revision 7.01
drives it had been clicking away for well over a year but never let me down
2.5 mm are portable drives the clicking noise are the head's docking so things
dont f**k up.

 

[one1]

I've done that, and I'm on the Mac dealer's waiting list now - which could take several weeks. But I have my worries about this - will I be charged for this?

I'd be more peeved about spending all that money and having to wait weeks for help, than the thought of a service charge. Priority wise anyway, THEN I'd be peeved about a service charge after a long month wait for help on a new purchase.

 

[jeremynsl]

Either way I'm peeved I can't start using this MBP for work. I'm too paranoid about losing my work (which is multi-gigabyte audio and thus not easy to backup daily)

About the SMART status of the drive. I'm not sure about that but I've run the special diagnostic off the Leopard disk (reboot with 'D' held down), and it didn't find any problems with the HDD. Neither did Disk Utility.

 

[S600MBUSA]

Either way I'm peeved I can't start using this MBP for work. I'm too paranoid about losing my work (which is multi-gigabyte audio and thus not easy to backup daily)

About the SMART status of the drive. I'm not sure about that but I've run the special diagnostic off the Leopard disk (reboot with 'D' held down), and it didn't find any problems with the HDD. Neither did Disk Utility.

If your work is that important, invest in an external hard-drive with a fast connection like Firewire 800 or eSATA (you'll have to have an eSATA expresscard for the latter option) so you can back up your work.

 

[JML42691]

I highly doubt that they will charge you for the repair, unless you have done anything to void the warranty.

 

[Andras5soul]

No matter what you decide to do, back everything up immediately if you haven't already. This happened to my girlfriend's black macbook, first clunking sound then the blue folder questionmark screen at startup. If the harddrive makes any unusual sounds, it is highly at risk of becoming inaccessible/broken. Back everything up then take to apple store.