Screeching sound from HDD?

[britboyj]

I have a Rev A. with 80GB platter-drive and the 1.86 CPU.

For the past six months or so, sometimes when turned on or woken from sleep, the HDD makes a ticking or a screeching sound. The first time it became REALLY LOUD I started doing Time Machine backups but rather than be without a computer, I decided to ride it out until the thing finally crashed.

Last night it makes the screeching noise (sounds like an owl screaming it's head off, no, not hooting, screeching) for a good 10 minutes. I got another backup off and shut it down.

I have a Genius Bar appointment for later today and I know for a fact that they have the part in stock.

What do you think is wrong with it, how long will I probably have to wait AND, best question - if I pay the difference for the 128GB SSD, will they replace it with that instead?

 

[aleksandra.]

I have a Rev A. with 80GB platter-drive and the 1.86 CPU.

For the past six months or so, sometimes when turned on or woken from sleep, the HDD makes a ticking or a screeching sound. The first time it became REALLY LOUD I started doing Time Machine backups but rather than be without a computer, I decided to ride it out until the thing finally crashed.

Last night it makes the screeching noise (sounds like an owl screaming it's head off, no, not hooting, screeching) for a good 10 minutes. I got another backup off and shut it down.

I have a Genius Bar appointment for later today and I know for a fact that they have the part in stock.

What do you think is wrong with it, how long will I probably have to wait AND, best question - if I pay the difference for the 128GB SSD, will they replace it with that instead?

If you have a rev. A, your CPU is probably 1.8GHz and your only SSD option would be 64GB drive, because it uses PATA connector (unless you buy bigger PATA drive yourself). Drive in rev. B Air uses SATA-LIF connector. That being said, if the drive has to be changed, still get an SSD. Hard disks fail often enough on their own, and are even more likely to do so in a computer which is moved often.

 

[Scottsdale]

I heard that screeching noise from a hard drive once before. Although, it was in a Dell and not in a Mac. It failed a few days later. So, a backup was the right thing to do, and yes you should expect it to be replaced. Probably take two days if they have it in stock.

If you have had your original MBA for six months, it is the Merom 1.8 CPU and NOT the Penryn 1.86 GHz CPU. Apparently you bought it right before the revised MBA came out.

Anyways, you have two choices for replacement, an 80 GB HDD or pay Apple for a 64 GB SSD upgrade. I don't know if they would give you that option or not, but you would lose drive space. The original MBA uses a PATA drive controller. The new MBA uses a SATA-II drive controller. The drives are not cross compatible. You cannot install a 120 GB SATA HDD, nor can you install a 128 GB SATA SSD. So, you are definitely stuck with a PATA drive.

 

[britboyj]

That's kind of lame.

I'm already used up 40GB on the 80, going down to 20 available is a little... scary, then again, it'd be a lot cheaper!

It's currently my primary computer, as I don't have the space to set up my iMac. Once that's taken care of, I'll probably take all the photos (Lots of RAW images in Aperture) off for good.

How much BETTER besides boot time is the 64GB SSD option.

It just seems so small. :/

 

[stoconnell]

That's kind of lame.
I'm already used up 40GB on the 80, going down to 20 available is a little... scary, then again, it'd be a lot cheaper!

Don't equate the smaller capacity on the SSD with a lower price tag. It will cost a lot more.

How much BETTER besides boot time is the 64GB SSD option.

You will see I/O improvements particular in application launching and synthetic benchmarks

 

[Scottsdale]

It's still limited by a PATA drive controller. I wouldn't waste the $500 Apple would probably charge for the upgrade.

You could see if there is an aftermarket solution. I know for sure the aftermarket solution for the rev B requires a lot of work because of the LIF connector. But maybe is different for the original MBA's PATA drive???

Anyone know if there are aftermarket solutions that work in the original MBA?

Really, the best bet is if you can beg Apple to give you any rev B MBA as a trade for your original MBA. You would then have a worry free amazing MBA. A lot of people have been given full refunds for their original MBA returns after owning for eight months even. Many more have said that they turned their original MBA in for a rev B MBA. That would be great if you could get Apple to do that. Even a 1.6 with HDD will be incredible compared to what you have.

Good luck.

 

[britboyj]

Had the HDD replaced (apparently it has to be part-for-part anyway, so got the 80GB anyway) and had it replaced and in my hands again in under two hours.

This is the second repair (first time enter and period stopped working) so next time something goes wrong, I should be able to get a straight-up Rev.B replacement.

Mine has, thankfully, been bereft of hinge issues or overheating. It even runs Photoshop CS4 without any real issue (more than 2 RAW files open at a time... ew)