Installed 2 new HDD. Computer -VIBRATES- now.

M

MrSloppy

Limp Gawd
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May 20, 2006
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Like the thread title says, I've installed 2 new WD WD1002FAEXs a few days ago.

There was very audible whirling sound and I had mistaken that for the neighbour's AC. It was only yesterday when I had put my foot near the computer that I realized my computer was transmitting vibrations into the floor that I realized the sound I had thought was an AC was coming from my computer.

Is this supposed to be normal for a computer with 3 HDDs? What might've caused this and how can I fix it if it's a problem?

Thanks.
 
A lot of it depends on what model of case you have. Cheap cases have little, if anything, to help stop vibrations.
 
Yeah I'd say it's normal.

Few suggestions would be to use a drive cage with rubber washers to help contain the vibration, or you could set the power saving spin-down time lower like 5-15 minutes so that you will only have all 3 drives spinning when you need them.
 
I'm using a HAF932, I remember them saying that silence isn't this case's forte. It does have a drive cage and rubber washers though, which is why it never occurred to me that the noise was coming from the computer since prior to installing the 2 new HDDs, the only time I really only am alerted to sound from my computer is when my GPU's fan starts going fast.

That said though, whew... I guess I was panicking over nothing then. I'll go ahead and google for instructions on how to set the power saving spin-down time.

Thanks so much!
 
If you're getting an actual detectable vibration through the floor with your feet, I doubt you're feeling a hard drive. You may have a fan that's lost a blade. I've had it happen and thought the same and then noticed a blade sitting in the middle of a mobo :-p
 
Probly rotational vibration. Try using a cheap internal drive cage $10-15 (a 2x 5.25" > 3x 3.5" bracket) with some washers to keep similar drives separated.
 
I would think this is something other than a hard drive. Open your case up and turn it on to see if you can pinpoint where it's coming from. You may have a wire interfering with a fan.
 
The HAF 932 case that I'm using has rubber washers for its HDD cage.

I've checked the computer case for broken fan blades, thankfully there isn't any.
I did do some trial and error and pulled the power on the new HDDs while leaving the other on.

It turns out that the 2nd HDD was the culprit. With it on I can feel the computer vibrating through the floor (even the family member downstairs can hear it), but with it turned off I can't even feel the vibration with my hands against the case.


Is this a faulty WD HDD?
 
After seeing the SUN video, where even shouting into a computer case affects drive performance...
I'd really like to see a benchmark comparison between your good drive and your vibrating drive.
 
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