Early Intel iMac HDD getting noisy

[markcres]

Hi all,

My early 06' Intel iMac (1.83 ghz / 2MB RAM) has been getting noticeably more noisy in the last couple of weeks. Not the fan.. but the hard drive - which seems to be more 'crackly' and audible... and seems to be doing stuff even when I'm not using the computer.

I have used Disk Utility to run a verify but there are no errors... and I have some 40GB free space. I haven't installed anything at all in the last 6 months.

I also ran Techtool Pro 5 - a SMART check passes OK.

Could this be a precursor to some HDD fail ?
Is there anything else I can check ?

Thanks.

 

[Hellhammer]

Sounds like the first sign of failing HD.. Get an external and run Time Machine if you haven't. You can only wait

 

[markcres]

Sounds like the first sign of failing HD.. Get an external and run Time Machine if you haven't. You can only wait

Hmmm. thanks. I already back everything up to an external drive.. but if it goes pop then it would be very sad as the screen was replaced a few months back under warranty (in fact 1 week before the 3 year warranty expired!!) and I really like the machine.

presumably my options would be:

1) Use the YouTube vids showing how to replace a HDD myself or
2) Attach a fast external firewire drive and boot from that

Any advice on which of these to try if and when why HDD goes pop ??

 

[myuserid08]

Have a go at replacing the drive yourself, the white iMacs are really easy to open, what have you got to lose anyway?

 

[Hellhammer]

If you are afraid to change it yourself, Apple will do that but it costs more, maybe 200$ with labor