Western digital has test and diagnostics software available for download. Try Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows from this page:
http://support.wdc.com/product/dow [...] 13&lang=en
I would feel fine if it passed this, unless the noise is very severe. Just keep everything backed up - any HDD is like a ticking bomb tied to your data.:)
hmm, a HDD shouldn't be active the whole time unless you are doing stuff (reading/writing from it). I'd go check if there is something running in the background that is doing something with the HDD if constantly active.
This page tells you how to do that. Follow method 1 and if there is something working when it shouldn't (i.e. disk is being accessed a lot even when the PC is idle) post a screenshot.
If it's noise at the right moments, then you can try this.
Of course replacing the HDD with a SSD would be the safest way to reduce noise, albeit the more expensive.
HUm had something similar with a Samsung Spinpoint and changed to a Saeagte Barracuda - end of noise. Like Blue said a SSD is the go but if you must have a large drive then try a different brand.
By the by you could try a surface test with the Partition Wizard http://www.partitionwizard.com/free-...manager.htmlor or do a check with the Seatools drive app
SeaTools | Seagate
The only time I hear it is when I'm in a relatively quiet enviroment. I know you should be able to hear your HDD sometimes but it's just annoying.
SSD's are silent. The make as much noise as your RAM does.
Because we are unable to hear your hard drive your question is very difficult to answer. We all have different abilities with our hearing. If it's loud enough to bother you I wouldn't hesitate to get another hard drive. I wouldn't trust it no mater what the test indicate. I have been in room with 8,10,12 computers running at the same time and don't remember hearing a bunch of hard drives clanging or spinning. Todays hard drives should not make mechanical noise so loud to bother anybody.
Everybody's ears are sensitive to different tones and frequencies. I hear fan noise more than the average person, while the average HDD noise barely registers. I know some people that are very "in-tune" with coil whine, even when it is in a case and a fan is spinning at 1000rpm or better right next to it. All hard drives make a noise, some are irritating and some aren't. My new Seagate Barracuda(7200.14 Power of One) hard drive makes a noise unlike any I've ever heard. When it is working it makes a squelch type noise. Squelch is the best I can describe it. It's a weird noise, but not bothersome because it very rarely makes that sound because it is a storage drive for my SSD.
Again, the SSD makes absolutely no noise.....unless you are one of the few people who have been struck by lightning or shocked real good and can "hear" electrical impulses! Another thing to consider: slower hard drives have much higher access times which means when they do have to get up and go, it's as long and drawn out as possible. Laptops that have a 5400/5900 rpm drive will have to work much longer than a new 7200rpm drive which just prolongs the noise it makes. My hard drive makes that squelch noise less than a second and it's done......none of the endless hem-hawing around the old hard drives used to do.
If you are determined to not have to listen to hard drive noise, I have to say again, get you a good SSD and use an external hard drive for data storage. I promise you won't hear a peep out of that........plus on average you can expect 30min-1 hour more battery life with an SSD.
Yep me too am sensitive to certain frequencies that Spinpoint I mentioned used to sound like someone dragging their fingernails across a blackboard not loud but very annoying.
Hum just thought KB wonder if a 2.5 HDD would be that noisy then as the externals have them eh?
Last edited by ICIT2LOL; 04 Oct 2012 at 22:50. Reason: Addition
In your situation, I would get a SSD for the OS and then a HDD for the data storage, as a said before by kbrady1979, the faster the HDD spins (RPM) the less time the HDD will work when reading/writing data; HDD's can go up to 10,000 RPM.
Foster426,
As mentioned an SSD will be a truly transformational purchase and with the prices falling on them everyday you can get a 120-128GB drive for a good price then purchase an external usb drive enclosure for the stock spinner for back up and none essential software or games. In a laptop you'll notice:
Huge speed increase
Extended battery increase
No heat added by the HDD
Lowered noise as drive is silent
Increase durability and shock resistance
Here are some shots of my drive going into a enclosure.
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