Solved Problems after running SeaTools

[koolkat77]

Capture one is of the C's at start up Capture 2 is of the SMART stuff.

I got back home a while back removed the HDD from inside, kept it physically on top of the case. No sound or vibration but I do feel the case vibrating slightly. All pc's vibrate verrrrrryyyy slightly? Don't they? I also disconnected the DVD ROM before booting up.

Should I keep it like this the whole week?

Update: These are screenshots from WD, din't take the test yet.

 

[Britton30]

I think the drive is OK, SMART status is ok, confirmed from two sources. Go ahead and run the WD test though.


A PC case will have some tiny teensy-weensy bit of vibration. It should not be audible though unless in a very quiet room.

Since all moving parts are attached to the case, anything vibrating will cause the entire thing to vibrate. It could make it appear to come from different sources.
Someone else suggested a bad fan, I think so too now. You may have several in the PC, exhaust/intake on the case, in the PSU, on the GPU card, and the CPU cooler. One way to isolate is use an empty paper towel tube, one end to an ear and the other end to various fans in the case.

 

[F5ing]

Physically touching the drive during a boot as mentioned by Dave76 as well as using an empty paper towel tube as mentioned by Britton30 are both great ways to pinpoint the source. A pencil, one end physically touching the drive and the other touching your ear is another way.

I'm really thinking a fan as a likely culprit like a few of the other posters are thinking. The vibration/noise that a bad fan can make might make someone think it's coming from a drive. If the drive was really the source of the same kind of vibration/noise that a bad fan can make then you'd really have to wonder how much longer it'll last. Most of the SMART numbers in your CrystalDisk snip look good though, similar to a brand new healthy drive. One attribute I'm not sure about is that "Spin-Up Time" number; keep an eye on that attribute (keep Crystal running at all times so that you can see how it changes over time). I don't think it's indicative of a failing drive as it's a long way from tripping SMART, but I think it should be more like 160 or higher.

 

[koolkat77]

Hmm.. So I did the WD life guard test and the results are attached. One thing which I didn't mention is that there was a loose (small) screw holding the drive all these days and I did switch it with a big one but cannot recall if the drive stopped vibrating that time. Anyway, I've kept the hard drive on top of the case since yesterday and it hasn't vibrated or made any sound. Celsius also remains below 40. I will keep the drive like this for a week

Thanks for the time and input to all

 

[F5ing]

Hmm.. So I did the WD life guard test and the results are attached. One thing which I didn't mention is that there was a loose (small) screw holding the drive all these days and I did switch it with a big one but cannot recall if the drive stopped vibrating that time. Anyway, I've kept the hard drive on top of the case since yesterday and it hasn't vibrated or made any sound. Celsius also remains below 40. I will keep the drive like this for a week

Thanks for the time and input to all

Was the drive firmly attached with the other 3 screws? Based on the way you described the sound and vibration and the way I'm imagining it, I don't think one loose screw could've been the cause.

I think I'd put it all back together again and keep monitoring. See what the temp does when it's installed normally with typical air flow (use CrystalDisk graphs). Remember that with the case opened the case fans are really only doing local cooling rather than forcing/inducing air flow throughout the case. Leave it in a position where you can easily open it in order to check things out (for source of noise/vibration). An IR temp gun is useful for things like this (if you've got access to one).

 

[Dave76]

Glad to see your hard drive passed the test.

With the HDD out of the case, did you notice any vibration or noise from the case?
As mentioned previously, it might be a fan going bad.
Did all vibrations and noise stop when the HDD was removed?

 

[koolkat77]

Was the drive firmly attached with the other 3 screws? Based on the way you described the sound and vibration and the way I'm imagining it, I don't think one loose screw could've been the cause.

I think I'd put it all back together again and keep monitoring. See what the temp does when it's installed normally with typical air flow (use CrystalDisk graphs). Remember that with the case opened the case fans are really only doing local cooling rather than forcing/inducing air flow throughout the case. Leave it in a position where you can easily open it in order to check things out (for source of noise/vibration). An IR temp gun is useful for things like this (if you've got access to one).

Hello F5ing,
I usually use 2 screws, this casing isn't that good so . It's a bit congested and I was thinking of getting a new casing but have not yet collected enough $$ for it. Currently I'm monitoring the disk outside the case, will keep it like this for 4 days more. I will do what you said in the coming days.

Glad to see your hard drive passed the test.

With the HDD out of the case, did you notice any vibration or noise from the case?
As mentioned previously, it might be a fan going bad.
Did all vibrations and noise stop when the HDD was removed?

Hi Dave,
There's no sound/vibration ever since I kept the HDD on top of the case. Not from the inside of the case also.

Will observe and update you'll in due course

 

[koolkat77]

Updates..

So I went ahead and spent some collected $$ on a new casing. It's a normal one, but definitely bigger than the previous and the pc is at least worth looking at now. (giggles) I actually got it yesterday but there was a problem with the casings earthing (everything would work but the monitor wouldn't power up/displayed nothing if the pc was powered on) so returned it and they had to get remove stuffs out. They asked if I wanted to wait so that they find another but I said them to remove the stuff that's creating the earthing problem (a$$holes couldn't give me something better on one go + we're having a long week religious holiday here in bangladesh.) How can I stay without my computer for so long!!!

:note: Surprising to note:
Yesterday when my brother got it back home I was able to find out the actual source of the grinding/vibrations. It was my PSU. (The new one I got a few months back). I knew there was a problem with the PSU I got recently but my brother wouldn't listen. It used to make this very soft cricket (insect) noise but nothing serious happened to my PC while using and my bro told me to avoid the sound and that its normal etc.. I was told that the HDD might have been heating up because the PSU might not be giving enough power or something.. (not sure)

So I'm keeping this thread open for a few more days.. or maybe weeks if I ever hear the noise. (fingers crossed)

Thank you all for the time and input once again

 

[Arc]

Good news

 

[Britton30]

After you whack your brother, get a good quality PSU.

 

[koolkat77]

Good news

Thanks

After you whack your brother, get a good quality PSU.

I wish I could (I do sometimes). He's older to me

 

[F5ing]

That's good news!

Was it the fan for the PSU? Do you suspect the PSU was running hot? Was the drive mounted close to the PSU?

Or maybe it was undervoltage...

Go ahead and give him a whack! Just tell him it was from one of us. :devil: He's supposed to take care of his little sis afterall.

 

[Dave76]

Good that you found the cause, I'm going with 'give him a whack!'
What PSU do you have?

Be careful, worst case scenario a bad PSU can damage all of the other components, permanently.

Let us know your progress.

 

[koolkat77]

That's good news!

Was it the fan for the PSU? Do you suspect the PSU was running hot? Was the drive mounted close to the PSU?

Or maybe it was undervoltage...

Go ahead and give him a whack! Just tell him it was from one of us. :devil: He's supposed to take care of his little sis afterall.

PSU. I'm not sure if the PSU was running hot.. I never checked. But like I said one short circuit screwed my other PSU so I got this one the next day. It made sounds from day 1, cricket insect sound (that's how I describe it, lol). I complained to Ahmed (my brother) several times but he said me to ignore it...which I did till I changed the casing .. BTW, yes the hard disk was set a lil above the PSU.

Good that you found the cause, I'm going with 'give him a whack!'
What PSU do you have?

Be careful, worst case scenario a bad PSU can damage all of the other components, permanently.

Let us know your progress.

I think I've progressed quite well. I didn't hear any sounds at all since the time I changed the casing & PSU (Like entire week). However, I will update this thread if I ever hear it again.

Till then I'll mark this as solved. Thank you everyone for your input

[I'm not sure what brand the PSU is, I didn't check. Once I do, I will post it on my specs]

Thank you my friends

 

[Britton30]

Remember, older isn't smarter.

 

[Arc]

Remember, older isn't smarter.

 

[Dave76]

Let us know if it's running ok.

You'll have to open the case and look at the PSU information.

 

[koolkat77]

Let us know if it's running ok.

You'll have to open the case and look at the PSU information.

Will do