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Sakino · Mar 18, 2004, 10:15 PM

I'm currently on my 5th powerbook, have been since December. Well since day one of having this computer I have complained about a constant ticking noise coming from the hd. It ticks every 5 seconds, yes it is loud. You can hear it in a library, or in a room with a tv on. I cannot leave the thing on in my room while I sleep, its so damn annoying.

I took my powerbook to the local authorized apple repair center, and let them hear the on going problem. They came back after 20 minutes of hearing a ticking sounds and said that it is a common thing for hard drives to do that. I was like ********, its common for a hard drive to tick really loud every 5 seconds, even when the computer has gone unused for an hour. The tech guy said yep, some hds do that. I was pissed with his response, as I have 4 other friends who have the same powerbook, and taking the fact that I have gone thru 4 others myself that the tech guy would have the balls to say its normal.
What should I do.

Sakino · Mar 18, 2004, 10:18 PM

sthis post supposed to be in different thread.

rsgunther · Mar 18, 2004, 10:37 PM

Originally posted by Sakino:
I'm currently on my 5th powerbook, have been since December. Well since day one of having this computer I have complained about a constant ticking noise coming from the hd. It ticks every 5 seconds, yes it is loud. You can hear it in a library, or in a room with a tv on. I cannot leave the thing on in my room while I sleep, its so damn annoying.

I took my powerbook to the local authorized apple repair center, and let them hear the on going problem. They came back after 20 minutes of hearing a ticking sounds and said that it is a common thing for hard drives to do that. I was like ********, its common for a hard drive to tick really loud every 5 seconds, even when the computer has gone unused for an hour. The tech guy said yep, some hds do that. I was pissed with his response, as I have 4 other friends who have the same powerbook, and taking the fact that I have gone thru 4 others myself that the tech guy would have the balls to say its normal.
What should I do.

My Powerbook had the same exact issue (and some other ones as well) - Applecare had me send it in. They did replace the hard drive & fix all the other issues. I would call them & ask for a replacement.

BearOso · Mar 19, 2004, 02:24 AM

Mine clicks too. It is the 5400 rpm model from Hitachi. I had my drive replaced for these clicks and the new one did exactly the same thing. After a little research, it appears this is a descendent of the "TravelStar" series from IBM, and these have been known to click.

The 4200 rpm drives are Fujitsu branded, and Fujitsu is primarily known for their SCSI drives. As a result, Fujitsu generally makes faster, quieter, more stable drives than IBM, who sold their drive division to Hitachi after a fiasco with the Deskstar GXP series.

If you're worried about it because of possible hardware failure, this is probably just the heads aligning like everyone says it is. But if the loud noise is too annoying for you or people around you, it might be a good idea to ask for a downgrade. I've used someone's TiBook, and its hard-drive was louder than my computer's, so I don't think the noise is as obvious to other people as we might think it is.

ulli · Mar 26, 2004, 09:22 AM

My 5400 rpm hard disk from Hitachi clicks too.

It seems that it clicks only when idle for a while. Based on this, is there a way to stop the ticking sound?

The Placid Casual · Mar 26, 2004, 10:25 AM

Originally posted by ulli:
My 5400 rpm hard disk from Hitachi clicks too.

It seems that it clicks only when idle for a while. Based on this, is there a way to stop the ticking sound?

It sounds like it just the heads parking.

Not good, but arguably not a fault either.

I would call Apple and ask for it to be changed anyway just in case...

Macpilot · Mar 28, 2004, 12:08 PM

If you have the cash, and you want a MUCH faster computer, get the 7200 rpm drive for your Powerbook. BEST UPGRADE ever.

This Hitachi 7K60 drive has a constant low whiring sound, very hard to hear, but that is it! No clicking like my old Toshiba 4200 rpm drive that came stock.

$250 from OWC, and if you are hesitant on installing it yourself, it costs around $80 for an authorized Apple shop to do it for you.

Who know how long Apple will have your Powerbook if you send it in for a replacement?