How bad does a hard disk have to be...

[AtlantaBob]

Hello again,

I've just gotten two Western Digital 800 JB's (Fry's had a good deal last week).

One is very quiet when accessing data, the other is quite loud. (I hate describing sounds, but it's the sortof click-y, grindy-sound that no one seems to like). From my understanding, the sounds are coming from the actuators when the heads are moving from one part of the disk to the other (continuous reads, such as Western Digital's Data Lifeguard software, are quiet, even though the HDD access light is on).

Western Digital's software says there are no errors on the drive, even after a full check, but Speedfan shows that the disk fitness is only at 69%. Can someone explain what Speedfan's rating means? Also, does this mean that I should go ahead and try to RMA it? And, if so, anyone have any suggestions on how to get WD to accept a return when their software says it's still good?

Thanks in advance... (and yes, all of the data's already backed up)

(Edited for a clever new title.... maybe that'll help?)

 

[AtlantaBob]

Bump for a new title?

 

[MrBond]

It used to be that WD was pretty good about taking drives back, but when HDD prices fell, they got pretty picky. They're pretty adament about needing an error from the software before taking it back. The last drive I sent back they weren't going to give me an RMA number for until I told them the drive wouldn't even spin up, thus making running the diagnostic program worthless.

I've never used that Speedfan program before, so I won't be any help there.

My advice, call up WD and see if they'll take them back. You're not going to hurt anything by asking. All you've got to lose is a few minutes of your time

 

[LTC8K6]

Is Speedfan using S.M.A.R.T. to check the drive? If so, SMART is usually a reliable indicator of drive status.

Usually, the drive mfg is not going to give you an RMA unless their own program reports errors. WD is not any different.

 

[LTC8K6]

A bit about SMART

 

[AtlantaBob]

Thanks, that's what I"m afraid of.

Speedfan does appear to be using SMART to check the drive data, however, it is giving a lot more information than the WD tools. WD says "Drive is OK"; Speedfan gives info on Raw Read Error Rate, Spin Up Time, Reallocated Sector Count, Seek Error Rate... the list goes on. I'm not sure how to read the numbers, and the websire doesn't help much (e.g. "Write error rate" has an "OK" beside it, and according to the columns next to it "Value" is 200, "Worst" is 85, and "Warn" is 51.
ULTRA ATA CRC Error Rate on the other hand, has no "ok" next to it, and has values of 200, 250 and 0, respectively).

Anyway, thanks for the ideas--anyone have any other suggestions of what to test with?

 

[PumpActionWalrus]

Hook 12v of power to the 5v of the drive, then send it back : )

 

[Budman]

Originally posted by: PumpActionWalrus
Hook 12v of power to the 5v of the drive, then send it back : )

BAN HIM

 

[Comparisonman]

Originally posted by: Budman

Originally posted by: PumpActionWalrus
Hook 12v of power to the 5v of the drive, then send it back : )

BAN HIM

Now now, aren't we being a little harsh?

Western Digital will not normally take drives back that pass their diagnostics, however, you may call them and describe the problem to a live technician. They may allow you to send it after your description or they may tell you a way to fix it.

 

[AtlantaBob]

I didn't make this clear in the first post (sorry--it's a big point) Do you think that there's something really wrong with the drive? (granted, the noise is annoying, but it's not exactly unbearable). In other words, if you were me, would this be a concern for you?

Thanks.

 

[Comparisonman]

A loud noise with the Hard Drive may be something to be worried about, or it may just be the way the hard drive is mounted or positioned. Try Running it upside-down and see if the noise goes away. Personally, I would say that any loud noise coming from a hard drive is definitely bad.

 

[Texun]

It it's not right it's not right, send it back. The chances are very slim that they would dispute the claim and send the same one back to you. It's easier and more customer friendly, especially with strong competition from Seagate, Maxtor, etc., for them to exchange it rather than make a fuss about it.

Years ago I had a fairly new Maxtor that I purchased from a retail computer store. The drive would occasionally make a very loud click or clanking noise, but it worked. I was hesitant to load all my data to a flaky drive so I checked it out with whatever diagnostic software they had then and it reported all was well. The store was reluctant to take back working products so I figured I was stuck with it, but a short while later during a new format the head somehow struck the platter and it went sour. It was replaced with no problem.

 

[Auric]

S.M.A.R.T. may be a CMOS setup option, as it is on my Gigabyte.