Final consensus on the "Hungry iMac" HDD Noise?

[computerjunkie]

Well I have been following the HDD noise threads for awhile now, (since I to have a "hungry iMac") and was wondering what the final word was on the issue?

How did you guys get the issue resolved? Return and replace? HDD replacement at authorized repair location? Give up? Did it even get resolved?

So from what I can read, it seems the Seagate drive is the hungry one? Is the Western Digital any better? Or is the consensus that the 2TB one is better?

I personally don't think there is anything wrong (as in malfunctioning) with my machine...its just the rumbling noise is kinda irritating. I know my case is clear cut in my mind too...cause even before I read this forum, the first few times I heard mine I actually thought it was MY stomach growling. Then I came and read the threads and saw what was going on.

So, can it be fixed? For me to go through the hassle, I need to know that something other than simple exchange can be done to remedy...cause I personally think that will not do anything. I would be willing to bet and exchange (all things being equal) would do the same thing.

So what's the word?

Regards,

G.
Hungry Man

 

[Sir Cecil]

I experienced the problem and got the 2T instead (Hitachi). No problems whatsoever since then.
I'd heard a second 1T Seagate and it ended up being as bad as the first.
I asked for a discount on the 2T because of the inconvenience and higher price, and they gave me $100 off. I suppose that is down to the luck of the draw in terms of getting one of the more receptive personnel when calling Apple.

 

[spcdust]

Double Post

 

[spcdust]

I experienced the problem and got the 2T instead (Hitachi). No problems whatsoever since then.

I also did the same as Sir Cecil. I would say, in my case, the 2TB is not silent (no HDD is) and you can hear the HDD being accessed as you would expect of a mechanical HDD ie. when you launch a program or when you initially boot up you can hear the HDD. However, you don't get that weird stomach rumble noise that the Seagate exhibited even when the iMac didn't seem to be doing anything requiring access to the HDD.

 

[Sir Cecil]

I would say, in my case, the 2TB is not silent (no HDD is) and you can hear the HDD being accessed as you would expect of a mechanical HDD ie. when you launch a program or when you initially boot up you can hear the HDD.

I only hear it operating when booting up. Otherwise it is as quiet a drive as I've had – and much quieter than the Hitachi's I've heard in external G-Tech drives.

 

[computerjunkie]

I also did the same as Sir Cecil. I would say, in my case, the 2TB is not silent (no HDD is) and you can hear the HDD being accessed as you would expect of a mechanical HDD ie. when you launch a program or when you initially boot up you can hear the HDD. However, you don't get that weird stomach rumble noise that the Seagate exhibited even when the iMac didn't seem to be doing anything requiring access to the HDD.

Yea see that is my thing...the noise is not so bad in itself, if it were necessary. If I was doing some FCP editing (or other heavy lifting) in which the HDD seemed to "need" to work then I would say okay.

But grumbling and accessing the drive or seeking or whatever its doing, when the computer is not doing anything seems like a problem.

I guess my next question for the masses would be...would you guys just call Apple and send it back or would you get it repaired locally by an authorized repair center? I am lucky in that regard, in that there is a very highly rated apple repair station near me. Its not the Genius Bar or "Apple" proper. Its a local shop that is authorized through Apple...and they are good.

I would almost rather deal with the local guys, insofar as I can at least have some interaction with them and find out what they did. Seems once you send it back to Apple your now a "number" in the system and would never really find out what actually transpired, or what they were sending you back in terms of a replacement (ie replace it with the same thing I already have).

I am at least glad to see that some people were able to get the grumbling to go away...by Hitachi or other means.

Regards,

G.
OCD Sufferer

 

[spcdust]

I only hear it operating when booting up. Otherwise it is as quiet a drive as I've had – and much quieter than the Hitachi's I've heard in external G-Tech drives.

I would concur - generally that's the only time I really notice it.

 

[msw123307]

As someone who's had 2 1tb Seagate drives, and 1 2tb, I thought I'd throw my observations in.

The 1TB drives were terrible, it was so loud I couldn't concentrate. A constant ticking, ticking, etc. Then every now and then it would stop. (For the record, I am convinced the ticking has something to do with restoring from a TM backup, at least in my experience. The same machines were close to silent when wiped clean and booted up fresh.)

Nevertheless, the 2TB doesn't have this noise. However it is still louder than my 24" iMac was. I've heard the fans kick in, and hear the drive sometimes, but it isn't a constant aggravation as the 1TB was.