WD hard drive 'thrashing' when idle

[It's Not Lupus]

I have a WD1002FAEX hard drive that recently started making a thrashing sound when idle. I first checked task manager and then resource monitor, and there's nothing unusual. Then I did the WD self-diagnostic test.

The last thing I did was power on the hard drive on a dock with nothing but the power (no data/usb connection), and it still started with the noise. I can feel the vibrations too. So it's doing something.

Google search reveals other people have had this same issue. One guy claimed that it was a WD firmware self-test that happens when the drive is idle.

 

[Elixer]

What does SMART show ?

 

[It's Not Lupus]

SMART shows all OKs.

 

[corkyg]

Have you checked your services/process? It could well be indexing. Since I rarely do searches, I turn that service OFF -greatly reduces HDD activity.

 

[It's Not Lupus]

I was just going to do a RMA request after all this time, but before I did, I plugged the drive back in. I haven't used the drive since then. Same noise, but after a while, the noise stopped...? so no RMA for now, I guess.

 

[corkyg]

In addition to indexing, sometimes there are AV and AM scans done automatically. So called "thrashing" can simply be normal drive activity related to system maintenance.

 

[It's Not Lupus]

In addition to indexing, sometimes there are AV and AM scans done automatically. So called "thrashing" can simply be normal drive activity related to system maintenance.

not if there was no operating system involved as I said my in OP.

 

[corkyg]

Might iy have been searching for same? BTW, how did you boot with no OS?