Is there something wrong with my WD5000BEVT hard drive?

[redsox786]

I just purchased a WD5000BEVT to replace my stock Hitachi 160GB hard drive in my 13" uMBP. The Hitachi drive was SILENT. I rarely heard the drive even when performing hard drive intensive tasks. I needed the extra space so I purchased the WD5000BEVT.

This drive, however, is a bit different. I can hear the drive even when idle, and sometimes I can hear it slowing down and speeding back up. It's almost always doing this. I don't really hear any clicking sounds, just mainly this constant speeding up and slowing down of the hard drive. Also, sometimes I get a hiccup when watching something on YouTube or Hulu. This never happened with the Hitachi drive. Is this normal? Has anyone else had this problem, or is there something wrong with my HD? Any suggestions/fixes would greatly be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[iMetalG5]

doesn't sound right. although I have a SSD in mine my bro just installed a Seagate 500 GB 7200 and he told me his machine is ultra fast now. The only thing he noticed is now there is a slight vibration in the palm rests and it heats up a tad more than the stock. other than that he has not complained of any lagging when watching utube and he says the drive is quiet so...

 

[elpmas]

i think the thread starter has a western digital...completely different manufacturers. plus he would have a 5400rpm vs 7200rpm...

 

[moral-hazard]

sounds like something is wrong. I have two of those drives and they both run dead silent. The stock hitachi 160GB would clunk around and make noise but the WD Blues (500GB and 320GB) literally make 0 noise whatsoever. I literally don't hear any noise (hard drives, fans, anything) when I'm using it even with disk-intensive stuff.

 

[shellsbells]

opinions, please?

I have the same HD as the OP, though mine is in a Dell Studio. I just got the computer last week, and there is a frequent sound as of something spinning, it's almost like a little buzzing or static noise, just starting and stopping. It is a very soft sound, but I often use the computer in a silent room and the sound does bug me a bit. I thought it was the fan at first, but I can still hear the noise under the fan when the fan kicks in.

I really like this computer otherwise, but the noise is annoying. I don't know if it will do any good if I have them replace the hard drive, and I'd rather not go through them replacing it and coming out to tear open my "baby" if it's not needed. I do have an in-home warranty, so at least I wouldn't have to send it away.

Should I call Dell to see what they can do, or is this a problem that I would probably have with a replacement, too?

 

[piwi]

I have this drive in 500GB, it's very silent, I don't hear it at all. If I put my hear on the laptop then I can hear a spinning noise but I think it's the fans rather than the HDD.
Check if it's still under warranty, and if it is then have it replaced. You can check that on Western Digital's website with the serial number (available from the System Profiler)