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schalliol · Dec 2, 2008, 12:56 AM

I had a 1st gen MBP and now I have a new MBP with the 320 7200RPM drive, and it seems that the motion sensor seems to activate much more frequently than the 1st gen and it seems to be louder (my 1st gen had a 5400RPM drive). Does anyone have any thoughts here? Thanks!

ibook_steve · Dec 2, 2008, 02:50 PM

What sound does a motion sensor make? Do you mean the drive is louder? Sensors don't make noise. Fans and drives do.

Steve

schalliol · Dec 2, 2008, 04:03 PM

Fair enough! I wrote that too late at night I guess. I meant to say that the system, of which the sensor is in, seems loud. Of course changes to a spinning disk would be what makes the noise.

seanc · Dec 2, 2008, 05:08 PM

Don't you mean the sound of the heads parking? I doubt it's a function of the motion sensor, the heads park every so often when they're not being used anyway.

What drive have you got? Some are noisier than others.

schalliol · Dec 3, 2008, 10:31 AM

Yes, I did mean the sound of the heads parking. I have the 320GB 7200RPM drive. I'm not particularly concerned, but I hear the heads park with pretty slight movements relative to the core 1 duo MBP's 5400RPM 120GB drive, as well as a louder sound (not "loud").

seanc · Dec 3, 2008, 01:43 PM

I mean manufacturer and model!

schalliol · Dec 3, 2008, 02:36 PM

I clearly shouldn't have been working until 4 AM this morning...

It's a Hitachi HTS723232L9SA62, revision FC4AC40B.

DKeithA · Dec 19, 2008, 01:23 PM

I have the same HD and experience the very same noise. All seems well so far. My guess is the same as yours, just a very hyperactive motion sensor that parks the heads with any movement that is at all abrupt.

schalliol · Dec 19, 2008, 02:07 PM

It's good to hear that I'm not alone. Last night I had my MBP on my couch, stood up normally and the sound was heard. It just seems that the sensitivity is very high.

cbrfanatic · Dec 19, 2008, 02:53 PM

that should be a welcomed feature. personally i want my hdd to be as protected as possible. i also have a late 2008 mbp and experience the same noise.

schalliol · Dec 19, 2008, 03:08 PM

I too welcome the feature, though my previous laptop was not so sensitive and never had problems.

Mainly, I was just interested in finding out of everyone has the same experiences or if I have something going on.

cbrfanatic · Dec 19, 2008, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by schalliol

I too welcome the feature, though my previous laptop was not so sensitive and never had problems.

Mainly, I was just interested in finding out of everyone has the same experiences or if I have something going on.

not a loner, i got it too, probably every early adopter has it.

schalliol · Dec 19, 2008, 03:38 PM

So, does anyone know why the new sensors are much more sensitive than the old?

loopback127 · Feb 16, 2009, 10:27 AM

I have the unibody MBP and it makes this incredibly annoying clicking sound that you talk about.

I went to my retailer and told them something was wrong, they exchanged the harddrive and the new one that makes the same sound. I don't care if the damn hard drive breaks, I can't stand having to listen to a CLICK every time i reposition the computer in my lap.

schalliol · Feb 16, 2009, 11:14 AM

I have gotten used to it, so perhaps you will in time. I agree it's a bit annoying, but I find it annoying only because to me it seems like an alarm that I am doing something improper. If this is more active because it's better for the drive, then great. My main concern is the life of the hard hard drive and integrity of my data.

jogi · Feb 16, 2009, 11:36 AM

My current MBA and previous MPB makee the same clicking noise when moved suddenly, but that is to be expected as the drive is protecting itself.

schalliol · Feb 16, 2009, 11:47 AM

I don't have a MBA, but my 1st Gen MBP required a lot more force for the sudden motion sensor to activate. It is amazing that literally a slight reposition on your lap will cause it to engage. Hopefully the result of the sensor tripping provides no wear on the drive because it activate so often.

loopback127 · 04:27 PM

Okey, I have solved the problem.

This is in fact a problem with the harddrive! I got my Unibody MBP delivered with a 250GB Hitachi HD (SN: HTS543232L9SA0). This made a loud clicking noise (as described in this thread) when you moved the computer slightly or even lay your palm to hard on the computer.

This annoyed me so I went to my dealer which ordered a new harddrive of the exact same model (HTS543232L9SA0). The brand new drive did the exact same sound.

Today I bought a new harddrive, a "WESTERN DIGITAL SCORPIO BLUE 500GB SATA/300 5400RPM" this new device is COMPLETELY silent. I have almost thrown the computer into a wall trying to force it to make the clicking sound. I can only conclude that the SMS still paus the needle but totally silently.

YEY!!

EDIT: I put the old harddrive inside a external case (USB) and it STILL clicks! Internal motion-sensores?