Maxtor Hard Drive noisy...

[Kwazyace]

I just purchased the Maxtor 15G Max Drive plus to replace my 8.4 Maxtor but the new drive is quite noisy with a fairly loud hum. I was wondering if this is typical of a larger hard drive or if I should return for another?

[Death To Mel]

The loud humm you hear could be your case. I get this problem when my CD-rom drive powers up and/or detects a cd that i put in it. Make sure all the screw are tight and that the drive isn't sitting on the bottom of the bay. Always try to keep any internal drive totally suspended by the screws to hold it in the bay.

Hope this helps /forum/smile.gif

[MDHerman]

I have used Western Digital drives during my computer career, so I know most of what I know about their HDs. The first reply may be accurate. If not, there may be a downloadable program tool at Maxtor's WebSite that will allign the platters inside your HD so they spin evenly. If this is not available, or if it is and does no good; and if your last HD did not hum (which likely eliminates problems other than new HD), get it replaced. Free advice, so kindly take it for what it's worth!

MDH

[nilknarf]

Q: What is the RPM rating of your new drive?
Q: Does it hum constantly?

You might try disconnecting the drive and then turn on your computer. If there is no hum, then its your drive. Reconnect it and turn the computer on. This should verify if it's the drive. Also, be sure there are no cables resting against any fans, and that all fans and drives are securely mounted.

If you get another identical drive, see if it does the same thing. If it does, this may be something inherent in the drive's design.

Hope this helps! /forum/smile.gif

[Kwazyace]

It is a 7200 RPM drive- it gives more a a constant fanning sound than a hum- is it because of the RPM's maybe?

[nilknarf]

Are you absolutely sure that the drive is the source of the sound?

If so, my guess is that it's normal for that drive. You can always check with Maxtor to be sure. High speed drives typically make such sounds. I've used 10,000RPM drives before, they sound like the bearings are shot until they come up to operating speed and temperature. But, you're saying that this is constant, right?

[Kwazyace]

The drive is certainly the source- I tried another drive. It functions perfectly aside from the noise It's just that a Maxtor 8.4G I just took out never was noisy, but it also was 5400RPM's. The 7200 must be the reason I guess, I just was wondering if anyone with the same drive or similar experienced the same noise.