Is my Raptor bad??

[ryGT1]

So, I got a WD Raptor about 3 weeks ago. Well, I've noticed for the past two weeks a funny noise coming from my pc. I assumed it was the fans... unplugged the fans, the noise is still there. I is coming from my Raptor.

It sounds like it is always writing or reading data very shoftly... but loud enough to drive me crazy. I've never heard a HD do this before... anybody have any clue if I have a problem??

[ryGT1]

Nobody?!?!

[BWM]

I'll check in to it.... be patient

[ozzy983]

Hmm...let me see...

The noise you describe might be normal; I don't personally own a Raptor to tell you, but since it's a 10,000 RPM drive, I would suspect it could be the motor making an abnormal noise, but not sure.

I would run WDs Lifeguard utility on the drive and see if it reports anything out of the norm, if not, then I would assume it's just overly noisey.

Later,
Oz

[BWM]

A reasonably detailed description of the noise will be very helpfull, ie seek noise, bearing noise, breather noise, stuff like that.

[ryGT1]

Cool, thanks guys..

well, it sounds like very soft seek noise to me. Although, if I had to guess what bearing noise was, i would say that might be in there too. And I have no clue what breather noise is...

I'll run that WD program right now.

Just so you guys know, I tried both Bios' on my machine (with the uber sata bios and without) and .281 .29 and .33 drivers, and none of them made a difference.

[BWM]

I'm pretty sure it is mostly seek noise along with a little bearing noise. Might even have a little breather noise, which usually sounds like chirping in sync with seeks. Do run the lifeguard tools and let us know how it goes.

[ryGT1]

Ok, I downloaded the program(s) but they dont seem to work... i'm just too tired, so I'll do it tomorrow and let you guys know.

Thanks again - Ryan

[ryGT1]

Ok, I'm back... sorry, it was a long weekend.

Anyway, I ran the WD programs, and they all said the drive was fine. I tried 4 different SATA cables, different rails from the PSU, just about everything. The more I listen to it, it just sounds like very soft seek noise.

All the other drives I've had (not raptors) never made a sound like this... should I call WD??

[BWM]

Originally posted by ryGT1
Ok, I'm back... sorry, it was a long weekend.

Anyway, I ran the WD programs, and they all said the drive was fine. I tried 4 different SATA cables, different rails from the PSU, just about everything. The more I listen to it, it just sounds like very soft seek noise.

All the other drives I've had (not raptors) never made a sound like this... should I call WD??

Nah... chances are the drive is ok. Everyone has a somewhat different perception of HD noise. Do call them if you are still uncomfortable with it after a month or so, however.

[ryGT1]

Good advice, thanks for the help man.

I'm going to try and record it so you can hear it...

Thanks again!

[BWM]

Originally posted by ryGT1
Good advice, thanks for the help man.

I'm going to try and record it so you can hear it...

Thanks again!

No problem dude. Posting a sound clip of it sure will help

[ryGT1]

Well, I've been away in New Mexico for the past week, and I'm back. I tried to get a recording of the noise, but no go. So I called them up, and they said it sounds like it is bad. So I have a new one on the way.

Thanks for all your help!

[BWM]

[ryGT1]

Well, I got my new drive in a couple days ago... and...

Problem Solved!!!!!!!!!!
No more noise that drives me crazy.

Thanks for your help guys!


ps ~ WD was great about the RMA, it only took about a week to get my new drive.