strange periodic noise from Desktar drive

[mauricev1]

I have a computer whose hard drive is making a strange noise about every 6 seconds regardless of whether the drive is idle or in use. I've recorded it to a file, downloadable from here.

The hard drive passes SMART.

 

[Elixer]

That doesn't sound good. I would copy anything important ASAP, and get a new drive, and use this one for a scratch drive.

 

[mauricev1]

I would like to add some info. First, I have five computers making this same noise and all five just happen to be running Windows XP. Further, all five went through a procedure of software additions, namely the installation of Symantec DLP/antivirus software and were joined to a domain and installation of Microsoft SCCM. After that, this noise started happening on all five computers. There may even more of them I just haven't discovered them yet.

Not all the drives are Desktars. At least one is a Seagate.

 

[mauricev1]

It turns out I made an incorrect assumption, which led you astray. The sound is not coming from the hard drive at all. All these computers share another common trait. They have a floppy drive. Apparently, one of the recently added programs (Symantec Endpoint Protection?) is somehow accessing the floppy drive causing this noise. Once I unplugged the floppy, it stopped.

 

[Ranulf]

Heh, Symantec/Norton constantly trying to read a floppy.

 

[denis280]

Once I unplugged the floppy, it stopped.

Good,But keep an eye on the hdd.never know