I don't know about this. On my MB it does this while stationary, but it is possible that it is the SMS too.
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Fan noise or hard drive noise?
- Thread starter KilljoyPBN
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I don't know about this. On my MB it does this while stationary, but it is possible that it is the SMS too.
This kind of attitude, I'm sorry to say, really pisses me off. I'm not some Mac newbie that just bought my first machine. I know what is 'normal' sounding and what is not. I've owned MANY Macs, and NONE of them has EVER made this noise.
If you're so offended by people sharing common experiences and trying to help and/or be helped by others in the forum, can I politely suggest that you take your doubts elsewhere.
You can't hear the noise the machine makes, so you're only guessing at what you 'think' is normal. Or maybe your standards are just lower than everyone else. In any case, I'm not happy to pay a premium for something which is substandard. If you are, or you got a perfect machine, well done.
And this kind of generic conclusion with silly facts does the same to me. I have two of these new MBPs, one with a SSD, the other with a standard 5400rpm drive and a Seagate 7200rpm that I bought and installed in it. It's possible that your machine/drive has a problem. But your conclusion that the design is flawed is wrong based on my first hand experience. How many of the macs you had, have had a 2.5" 7200rpm drive? I've had several of them and they can make significantly more noise than a 5400rpm. On both this and previous designs if the 7200rpm drive is not fully spun down and the machine is tilted, the drive makes a very unique noise almost a whirling howl. And I've heard this on at least six different machines and drives.
I stand by my comments and data. Your conclusions are wrong and make no sense. Sorry if that offends you, but back up your conclusion with data. You are making an assumption the noise is due to the new design and you are flat out wrong on how the drive is attached to the machine.
Exactly what I've got.... It sounds more like wind rushing through, and is just a TAD annoying.... But if I rest my palm on the right side, it sounds like I've covered it up (which really confuses me seeing that I'm not actually covering an opening or anything!).
Mine also has a SLIGHT vibration if it's on my lap but I'm pretty sure that's just me being picky.... I would love to take it back and ask but normally I'm just over-sensitive because it cost me so much money and I want it to be PERFECT!
Actually ALL of them have had 7200rpm drives as I always buy the best spec available. That includes one of the first Core Duo MBP's and two models since - one 15" and one 17".
So essentially if you don't agree with someone that makes them 'wrong' does it?
How else would you suggest I 'prove' it to you? Three previous MBP's prior to the unibody models. No hard drive noise with any of them. Nor has anyone I know that had a previous model MBP. Conclusion - either the design of the new machines lends itself to more drive noise, or I've had two consecutive faulty drives. Which one seems the greater possibility?!
And I guess everyone else posting experiences of noise, among the dozens of other faults with this series, are all hallucinating as well?
Aargh.... this is the first Pro laptop I've bought. I've had iBooks, a PowerMac and an iMac G5, et. al. (and helped my sister purchase a PowerBook G3) but after plunking down almost $3,200.00 (before rebates and including accessories, shipping, etc.) I really am concerned reading about the "slew" of problems inherent in the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros. From reading this, it seems like 80% have had problems on these brand new units. I was looking forward to getting mine which will be delivered on Thursday, and now I'm disheartened before even getting my hands on it. Can anyone put my mind at ease or at least answer my previous post regarding what I should look for in the week or so to determine if it is problematic? I'm beginning to feel like a guinea pig that volunteered for a new lab experiment.
While you're at it, will anyone take a moment from the heated arguments on here and answer my question I asked twice before:
...is it an Apple policy that no matter what authorized dealer you buy your Mac from you can bring it in to an Apple retail store within 14 days of purchase for a new exchange instead of repair?!?
While you're at it, will anyone take a moment from the heated arguments on here and answer my question I asked twice before:
...is it an Apple policy that no matter what authorized dealer you buy your Mac from you can bring it in to an Apple retail store within 14 days of purchase for a new exchange instead of repair?!?
Aargh.... this is the first Pro laptop I've bought. I've had iBooks, a PowerMac and an iMac G5, et. al. (and helped my sister purchase a PowerBook G3) but after plunking down almost $3,200.00 (before rebates and including accessories, shipping, etc.) I really am concerned reading about the "slew" of problems inherent in the new MacBooks and MacBook Pros. From reading this, it seems like 80% have had problems on these brand new units. I was looking forward to getting mine which will be delivered on Thursday, and now I'm disheartened before even getting my hands on it. Can anyone put my mind at ease or at least answer my previous post regarding what I should look for in the week or so to determine if it is problematic? I'm beginning to feel like a guinea pig that volunteered for a new lab experiment.
While you're at it, will anyone take a moment from the heated arguments on here and answer my question I asked twice before:
...is it an Apple policy that no matter what authorized dealer you buy your Mac from you can bring it in to an Apple retail store within 14 days of purchase for a new exchange instead of repair?!?
I wouldn't be concerned until you have it in your hands. Keep in mind that most people will only post if they have an issue (whether perceived or real) so that naturally makes the stats look worse than they are. This 3rd machine is *much* better than the first 2 I had, so they may already be sorting out some of the teething problems with the new line.
As for exchange, I don't know definitively if they will just allow an exchange of a machine bought elsewhere. I do know that they will provide support for it just as if you'd bought it from Apple Retail, and if the issues warrant it I'm sure they would replace it or repair it as appropriate.
Okay, thanks Twynne....
I only asked because another thread mentioned something about only have for 2 weeks and that seeming to have something to do with being able to "swap it out" for another new one in that short time frame immediately after purchase.
Your point about more unhappy or concerned owners posting than the satisfied ones is definitely something I am aware of and considered. In fact, I feel better because since posting that I looked at another thread or two where they are all raving about their new MacBook Pros and taking pictures of the various "unboxing" stages, LOL. One reason I was more concerned is that not only is this the first revision of a completely new design, but I read several articles on different reputable Mac-based websites (not just chat forums) about how people have been reporting issues such as the ones I numerated earlier.
At this point though I will wait and just be sure I test all the "reported issues" so if there is a problem I can be aware and handle it immediately after purchase, at a local Apple store. But I know Apple, and if an item is under warranty and there is a malfunction that is hardware-related or a flaw in an early revision, they will fix it, replace it or come up with a software patch. Sometimes one can "over think" or over research things online, and get a false sense of feedback when only a certain demographic are the ones who regularly follow & post to the forums.
I only asked because another thread mentioned something about only have for 2 weeks and that seeming to have something to do with being able to "swap it out" for another new one in that short time frame immediately after purchase.
Your point about more unhappy or concerned owners posting than the satisfied ones is definitely something I am aware of and considered. In fact, I feel better because since posting that I looked at another thread or two where they are all raving about their new MacBook Pros and taking pictures of the various "unboxing" stages, LOL. One reason I was more concerned is that not only is this the first revision of a completely new design, but I read several articles on different reputable Mac-based websites (not just chat forums) about how people have been reporting issues such as the ones I numerated earlier.
At this point though I will wait and just be sure I test all the "reported issues" so if there is a problem I can be aware and handle it immediately after purchase, at a local Apple store. But I know Apple, and if an item is under warranty and there is a malfunction that is hardware-related or a flaw in an early revision, they will fix it, replace it or come up with a software patch. Sometimes one can "over think" or over research things online, and get a false sense of feedback when only a certain demographic are the ones who regularly follow & post to the forums.
Okay, so this is interesting... this does seem to be a design/acoustics issue, since I can hover my hand about an inch over the hard drive (hand rest area to the right of the track pad) and the fan/whirring sound increases!, as though reflecting off my hand! Then, if I pull my hand away, or press it down to the case, the sound decreases again. Now that's strange...
Can anyone else replicate this with theirs? (Note that you have to be in an almost completely silent environment to hear this.)
Can anyone else replicate this with theirs? (Note that you have to be in an almost completely silent environment to hear this.)
Actually ALL of them have had 7200rpm drives as I always buy the best spec available. That includes one of the first Core Duo MBP's and two models since - one 15" and one 17".
So essentially if you don't agree with someone that makes them 'wrong' does it?
How else would you suggest I 'prove' it to you? Three previous MBP's prior to the unibody models. No hard drive noise with any of them. Nor has anyone I know that had a previous model MBP. Conclusion - either the design of the new machines lends itself to more drive noise, or I've had two consecutive faulty drives. Which one seems the greater possibility?!
And I guess everyone else posting experiences of noise, among the dozens of other faults with this series, are all hallucinating as well?
I guess we'll have to disagree then. I've directly compared a new MBP with 7200rpm against a previous MBP with 7200rpm and don't see the differences you do. But many of the other posts here are clearly people who have not had 7200rpm drives before and state as much. It's no surprise that they are seeing increased noise so I do not see a general consensus that there is something wrong in the new design.
fan noise
This worked for me. Check to see if you have a print request that is trying to get to your printer. And shut off printer sharing.
Go into the print and fax preferences. Double click on your printer and see if there is a print job waiting. Delete it. Or delete the printer and add it back in.
This is especially true if you carry your laptop back and forth to work and have several printers you print to.
Let me know if this helps.
This worked for me. Check to see if you have a print request that is trying to get to your printer. And shut off printer sharing.
Go into the print and fax preferences. Double click on your printer and see if there is a print job waiting. Delete it. Or delete the printer and add it back in.
This is especially true if you carry your laptop back and forth to work and have several printers you print to.
Let me know if this helps.
http://discussions.apple.com/thread.jspa?messageID=6498085
Here are the instructions on how to fix the clicking through hdapm. I haven't tried it.
Here are the instructions on how to fix the clicking through hdapm. I haven't tried it.
Just to be clear, the problem I'm referring to is not a clicking noise, but a fan type whirring sound.
I think excessive clicking might be a different issue? Any "clicking" I hear is, I think, normal for any hard drive (more like a quiet "chick" sound).
I think excessive clicking might be a different issue? Any "clicking" I hear is, I think, normal for any hard drive (more like a quiet "chick" sound).
I have the same whirring sound. I'm not worried about that. I think we only hear it because there is less insulation from sound.
That's my suspicion as well. But, I wonder: does your sound increase and decrease, or is it constant all the time?
That must be correct... I sent one back that had this issue (among others) and it had the Toshiba HDD. I looked under the battery cover and found that that HDD was not very tight in the plastic casing. I could easily move it around a few mm. The new one came in and it's noticeably quieter, BUT still whirring.
Is there anything Apple can do to give us extra padding for the HDDs? Or are they SUPPOSED to be a little loose (not very tightly attached to the body)?
I'm sure this sound will get worse as time goes, as the HDD will get looser in the case from all the vibrations and movement.
This is absolutely an acoustics issue, and jomama has identified it. The Hitachi drive has platters that are always circling (that's the whirring sound you're all hearing). It gets quieter when you put your hand on top of the right palm rest area because your hand dampens the sound that's coming through that thin piece of aluminum between the hard drive and the top of the case. There's nothing you can do about this short of
A: getting a new brand of hard drive that might have a quieter idle speed or getting a SSD drive.
B: figure out what kind of rubber heat resistant dampening material you can apply to the inside of the macbook pro where the bottom of the hard drive meets the aluminum case.
This isn't a faulty drive issue. The Hitachi's are slightly louder than other drives apparently, and the design of the new ultra thin macbook pros allows more sound to come through the top of the case where the hard drive rests. It is kind of annoying to have to listen to the high pitched whirring sound in very quiet environments, but replacing the drive with another apple branded hitachi will not do any good. They will sound identical because of the acoustic properties in the unibody. Everyone who has a unibody macbook pro regardless of their hard drive brand/speed can make the whirring sound quieter by pushing their hand on top of the right palm rest area. This is confirmation that what you're hearing is the NORMAL sound of the HD resonating through the aluminum case. It sucks that there isn't more dampening there, and I'm personally trying to find some material to help reduce the noise. Unless you switch to a SSD drive, you will hear this whirring sound in quiet environments no matter what. Please try the steps I've mentioned above to make sure that you're hearing the hard drive and not having a faulty fan issue which sounds like a constant clicking in the upper left or right hand corners of the keyboard. These are separate sounds/issues.
The other complaint in this thread is a seemingly random single click that the hard drive makes every 5 to 20 seconds when idle. THIS IS ALSO COMPLETELY NORMAL BEHAVIOR. Do not assume your hard drive is breaking. Mac OS has an aggressive hard drive head parking command that makes your drive park its heads frequently to avoid data loss and save power. If you can't deal with this noise, then please do try the hdapm software mentioned previously in this thread. I hope that clears some of this up. I am by no means an expert, but I've gleaned all this info from other threads and the 3 separate macbook pro's I've been using for the last three months.
EDIT: I'm going to try some rubber grommets between the inside of the right palm rest area and the hard disk. These grommets should isolate the drive from the chassis and hopefully reduce the noise that's transmitted through the aluminum body of the mbp.
Hard drive Whirring sound on 2010 MBP
I think I have the same problem but on the new MBPs.
I just purchased a 2010 13" MBP to replace my liquid damaged 2009 13" MBP. First thing i noticed is that the hard drive on the 2010 MBP is whirring quite loudly while it is on that at first i thought it was the fan. When I put my ear to the bottom right side I'm sure it's the HD and not the fan. This can't be normal, can it?
The standard 160 GB HD in the 2009 MBP was dead silent
HD in the 2010 MBP is 320 GB
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated
I think I have the same problem but on the new MBPs.
I just purchased a 2010 13" MBP to replace my liquid damaged 2009 13" MBP. First thing i noticed is that the hard drive on the 2010 MBP is whirring quite loudly while it is on that at first i thought it was the fan. When I put my ear to the bottom right side I'm sure it's the HD and not the fan. This can't be normal, can it?
The standard 160 GB HD in the 2009 MBP was dead silent
HD in the 2010 MBP is 320 GB
Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated
Did anyone ever find a way to eliminate the noisy HD's ??? Or is it just something you have to live with ??
To "orangepeel" not always the answer.
I just installed a Hitachi Travelstar 5k500 500GB to replace the 5k250 that came in my 13" MBP (Mid 09). It now has a fairly quiet whir unless I put some slight pressure on the right pam rest then it goes near silent.
The specs for the 2 drives have the same specs sound wise and so it should be as silent as the old drive but its not. Interestingly the old drive is no longer as quiet either, which makes me wonder if I need to screw down the black bracket tighter.
Its annoying have gone from near silent to a constant whisper unless my hand is on the pam rest. I'd like to find a way to shut it up if I can.
I just installed a Hitachi Travelstar 5k500 500GB to replace the 5k250 that came in my 13" MBP (Mid 09). It now has a fairly quiet whir unless I put some slight pressure on the right pam rest then it goes near silent.
The specs for the 2 drives have the same specs sound wise and so it should be as silent as the old drive but its not. Interestingly the old drive is no longer as quiet either, which makes me wonder if I need to screw down the black bracket tighter.
Its annoying have gone from near silent to a constant whisper unless my hand is on the pam rest. I'd like to find a way to shut it up if I can.