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General discussion

Peculiar Sound from WD800JD Hard Drive

Jun 14, 2005 1:31AM PDT

After having tried out Seagate Baracuda SATA series and Samsung's Spinpoint hard drives in 80GB capacities, I recently bought a WD800JD 7200RPM/8MB Buffer SATA hard drive and comparatively, its performance is tremendous. Its soundless (idle/seek both) however there is one thing I'd like to clarify. On system shutdown, there is one peculiar click/clac sound that comes once from the drive just a split second before system shut down. I asked the retailer, and he said that it was normal. So the question is, Is it really normal? Any experienced Western Digital owner?

Discussion is locked

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(NT) (NT) It's normal
Jun 14, 2005 3:02AM PDT
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My best guess
Jun 14, 2005 11:15AM PDT

The heads will park before they spin down. They will also write any buffered data to the disk. My guess is you are hearing them park which means they go to a position where they are physically held above the disk so they will not make contact as the drive slows or when it restarts.

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OK
Jun 14, 2005 12:52PM PDT

I agree with both the replies and also had the same thing in mind. Actually in comparison to Seagate and Samsung hard drives, I never heard this sound or maybe it was there but less audible. Thanks for your reassuring replies.

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Seems normal...
Jun 15, 2005 12:14AM PDT

The description you gave pretty much suggests the "parking feature" is getting ready to park or simply shutdown. HDs have gotten quieter and thus any noise gets noticed, but that noise is always present its just more pronounced now. Of course if it seems to get worse, use the warranty before it actually runs out. Some same model HDs amongest themselves, maybe quieter than another, however, the basic general actions are the same. IMHO, its normal.

tada -----Willy

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(NT) (NT) Thanks.......Its Reassuring
Jun 15, 2005 1:00AM PDT
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Have 2 of the exact drives not normal and
Jun 18, 2005 12:56AM PDT

I would go to WD website and run the diagnostics

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Are the Tests Reliable?
Jun 18, 2005 1:32AM PDT

Will the diagnostics be able to determine any physical/mechanical errors, even the minutest?

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(NT) (NT) Yes designed by drive mfg
Jun 21, 2005 12:54AM PDT
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HD tests(maker)
Jun 21, 2005 8:18AM PDT

There are various tests but they boil down to "destructive and non-destructive" meaning any data present will be lost during destructive testing. This isn't to imply any real damaging test but a data fetch, R/W, etc. type of test. Of course, if a true h/w fault is found it will be magified or increase as the testing is done or stopped before finishing. In many cases the warranty procedure may provide this as a course of act6ion before being sent in.

However, if you truly have a quiet system and then start the shutdown procedure the noise you mentioned sure does sounds like "parking being done", only time will tell.

congrats '05 -----Willy Happy