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hugodrax

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Jul 15, 2007
1,230
645
What causes a harddrive to make a humming type vibration. Is that a drive getting old and need to be swapped? its annoying because my mac pro tower is silent otherwise.

The noise started about a month or so ago but I had this drive for a few years now.

If the machine is on after it was a sleep for about an hour the noise dissipates a little.
 
What causes a harddrive to make a humming type vibration. Is that a drive getting old and need to be swapped? its annoying because my mac pro tower is silent otherwise.

The noise started about a month or so ago but I had this drive for a few years now.

If the machine is on after it was a sleep for about an hour the noise dissipates a little.

I'd try to re-tighten the screws with which the drive is attached to the sled. Might also be the spindle-bearings since the noise fades when the drive is warmer...
For hard disks are not really expensive, I'd suggest you swap it for a new one. Then you're on the safe side and this will also give you more capacity and speed.
 
Mac pro computers have issues with certain hard drives and resonance.

If it's a HUMM and not a whine, then this is a good possibility.

try putting a small folded up piece of paper above the drive in question between the sled and the crosspiece and see if the vibration goes away.

Do a search on resonance and mac pro and you'll find lots more on this.
 
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