Stupid HD question

[JeremyAlexander]

I just got (like a month ago) a barracuda 1tb hd which gives me 2 of them in my system. There are no other HDs. They are both in IDE mode.

After resuming from sleep when I first explore or otherwise use data from the new HD there is an audible click that is louder than I would expect and which I have never noticed on the other HD which is identical model (but I don't know what's normal for a non system HD) as it starts. It also does this when the system is first powered down, but (strangely) only if the computer has been off for at least 30 seconds. It won't do it if the computer is powered down for less than 30 seconds and turned back on or reset.
The other HD by it'self does make some sound, but nothing compared to the other. I have no other problems with the drive.

My question is: is this normal like a power saving drive off thing and the baracudda's just do that or is this an indicator that this drive will soon fail? I don't know if the same model actually means they should be identical I'm unsure if they have more than one factory ect. If anyone helps then thank you. Stupid questions about nothing more than a clicking sound.

 

[Fumz]

Control Panel/Hardware and Sound/Power Options. Click "change plan settings" under the plan that's selected. Click "change advanced power settings". Expand "Hard disk". Expand "Turn off hard disk after".

My guess is your drive(s) are set to turn off after 20 minutes? If you're on the machine, then your primary isn't going to shut off because of activity, but if your secondary drive is inactive for 20 minutes (or whatever time is set), then it will shut off.

The clicking you're hearing is the drive coming back... probably. All my secondary drives make a little noise when they power back up too.

Changing the plan setting to never will remove the noise as the drives will always be on and spinning, but you'll lose the power savings.

Having said all that... it's unfortunate you used the word, "clicking" when describing the sound because that's also the sound a drive makes when it's in the final stages of failing... but, it's a real ugly clicking.

 

[essenbe]

I might suggest downloading Seagate's diagnostic program, Seatools. Run the tests on the HD and it should tell you whether there is a problem. If you try to RMA the drive Seagate is going to insist on the results of that test anyway.

 

[SledgeDG]

Since it's a fairly new drive, SMART Status should be supported...try this

CrystalDiskInfo - Software - Crystal Dew World

It makes a simple statement about a drive's health but also offers more data for the technically interested people


-DG