Why is my hard drive making that scratching sound?

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All Forums > Tech Talk > Tech Talk Forum Page 28 > Why is my hard drive making that scratching sound?

Author	Post
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - Feb 26 2008 : 11:28PM I'm not downloading anything. [Link]
Bob All-Star Member 5516 Posts 3/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 12:06AM Why do you think it's your hard drive? Could it be a fan that's scratching or a cable that's getting hit by a fan blade? Is it a scratching or a clicking? What ARE you doing with your computer when you hear the sound? Your hard drive shouldn't make any different sound when it's downloading than it does when it's doing anything else. How old is your hard drive and what brand is it? Have you moved it recently? I recommend that you take off the side of your case while your computer is on, shine a bright light in, and look around and listen. [Link]
Drew Black broken crankshaft 8011 Posts 9/99	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 1:02AM While you're in there you should be able to lightly touch a finger to the case of the hard drive to feel for vibrations. The armature will vibrate slightly as it indexes over the platters. [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 1:10AM I know it's a hard drive because I've owned computers for 15 years and am accustomed to the sound. What I wanted to know was why does it go through the periods in which it sounds like it's doing a lot work. It's just scratching away and away, like it's rearranging all the data. [Link]
Bob All-Star Member 5516 Posts 3/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 1:40AM nietzsche wrote: What I wanted to know was why does it go through the periods in which it sounds like it's doing a lot work. Click to expand That's a different question from the one you first asked. I don't have a clue. [Link]

conquistador Deactivated User Hellhamster. 2947 Posts 10/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 1:46AM Have you looked what processes you are running? When you did your full reinstall the other evening did you also remember to reinstall all your spyware(etc.) programs and run their various "immunization" features? I'll assume you aren't messing with any right now but remember it was an infected key gen/crack/warez program that messed with you in the first place... Also, it probably wouldn't hurt (even if the program doesn't say it's necessary) to run a defrag when you go to bed tonight. I know the sounds you are speaking of and I also only associate them with my machine doing "work" of some kind. Let us know if you fix it, please. [Link]
blowfish Member 874 Posts 1/08	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 2:52AM Hard drives noise means its getting ready to die on you. Be wary if the noise get louder. [Link]
AlexPanzer Deactivated User 1593 Posts 6/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 7:46AM Sounds like your hard drive is fucked. The needle is not floating and scratching-touching the platter surface. [Link]
licker Senior Member Heretic, Iconoclast, Skeptic 1141 Posts 8/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 8:31AM When you re-installed XP, did you remember to turn off Microsoft fast find? I think this is on by default, and its indexing routine will endlessly thrash your hard drive. I can't remember how to turn it off, but someone here probably knows. [Link]
Drew Black broken crankshaft 8011 Posts 9/99	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 9:39AM Google Desktop will cause this type of indexing too until it's done inspecting all of the files on your drive. [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 12:44PM licker wrote: When you re-installed XP, did you remember to turn off Microsoft fast find? I think this is on by default, and its indexing routine will endlessly thrash your hard drive. I can't remember how to turn it off, but someone here probably knows. Click to expand That's probably it. [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 1:02PM I just disabled it, and it's stopped making that sound. [Link]
Bob All-Star Member 5516 Posts 3/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 3:44PM In Vista, the default option for Microsoft Fast Find is "disabled". [Link]
Bob All-Star Member 5516 Posts 3/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 3:55PM licker wrote: I can't remember how to turn it off, but someone here probably knows. Click to expand To disable in XP: Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add/Remove Windows Elements > Uncheck the "Indexing Service" box. To disable (if previously enabled) in Vista: Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs > Turn Windows Features On or Off > Uncheck the "Indexing Service" box. [Link]
RandomPrecision Senior Member Enjoy! 8175 Posts 3/06	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 7:26PM nietzsche wrote: I know it's a hard drive because I've owned computers for 15 years and am accustomed to the sound. What I wanted to know was why does it go through the periods in which it sounds like it's doing a lot work. It's just scratching away and away, like it's rearranging all the data. Click to expand Mine does that if I leave the computer on when I go to bed. But I have Vista and XP (if that's what you have) may be different). I think it just senses when you aren't busy and takes that opportunity to do some housekeeping. Mine automatically defrags once a week (I think). Heaven knows what else it's doing. I'm assuming you keep up to date on your virus and spyware scans? [Link]

licker Senior Member Heretic, Iconoclast, Skeptic 1141 Posts 8/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 8:05PM nietzsche wrote: I just disabled it, and it's stopped making that sound. Click to expand I guess I can sew on my consultant's merit badge now [Link]
licker Senior Member Heretic, Iconoclast, Skeptic 1141 Posts 8/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 8:11PM Also, thanks to Bob for the information on configuring. [Link]
Bob All-Star Member 5516 Posts 3/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 8:37PM licker wrote: I guess I can sew on my consultant's merit badge now Click to expand Absolutely. Good on you! [Link]
nietzsche Deactivated User 5470 Posts 8/03	Posted - Feb 27 2008 : 10:52PM licker wrote: nietzsche wrote: I just disabled it, and it's stopped making that sound. Click to expand I guess I can sew on my consultant's merit badge now Click to expand +1 [Link]

All Forums > Tech Talk > Tech Talk Forum Page 28Why is my hard drive making that scratching sound?

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