Computer Hope
Hardware => Hardware => Topic started by: Linux711 on April 03, 2013, 04:33:53 PM
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I bought a new WD 2TB HDD and during the format process there were two points where it made a buzzing noise for a few seconds (the rest of the process was completely silent as usual). Could it just be random or bad sectors? I really don't like a new drive that has bad sectors because it will probably deteriorate quickly.
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Noises like that are unusual. I'd run a hard drive test diagnostic on it. WD has tools available for testing drives http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=en (http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=en)
The last drive I had that was new that made a strange noise crashed about a week later. It was a 300GB Hard Drive that occasionally would make a loud ping noise followed by drive chatter then it would get silent. The event log for this archive data file server showed many warnings in yellow that the hard disk is about to fail with delayed writes etc. This drive also was very hot to the touch which as abnormal for the fact that everything else in the tower was cool to the touch and adequate airflow. I sent this drive back RMA and got a replacement 300GB that ran warm, but not as hot as the prior drive that failed. This replacement refurb drive lasted over 2 years without issues.
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Return it for a replacement immediately...no good can come of this.
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Contact the vendor ASAP.
What brand is it?
Why would you formant it? Most HDDs now come reedy for Windows.
Unless you did not mount the drive property, the buzzing noise would mean a hard re-write and retry retry happened. The drive head tried to write the same sector over again many times.
When drives leave the factory, any bad spots are already mapped out and the drive never trues to write a area known to be defective. So one might conclude the drive is not really new.
IMHO, send it back.
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Many HDD's are shipped non-formatted...when's the last time you bought one ? ?
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I bought it on ebay. It was listed as new and I had to "initialize" and format it when I got it, so I don't think it was used. The whole format process probably took about three hours in total. I was sitting at my comp the whole time so I know it only made the sound for a few seconds and happened only twice. I don't think it's worth the hassle of returning, but correct me if you think I should. I am running the WD diagnostic program now though, so we'll see about the results.
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The test completed and it passed. It doesn't list much info other than "PASS" so I don't know if that means it's 100% without bad sectors or are a few bad sectors still considered a "PASS"? Also what do you think, should I return it? I know I seem really picky about it being perfect, but I am using it for my file server that has really important data that I can't loose. I do have a backup and a half though, so it's not crucial.
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If it's a data critical HDD i'd return it immediately as i suggested.
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Even if bought through ebay, as long as the person on ebay didnt register it as their property, WD wouldnt know any better if you bought it at ebay or off the shelf at a retail outlet.
If you dont feel comfortable with placing your data on this drive and putting it at risk of total loss, I'd check the serial number for warranty status, and if its covered by warranty open up a claim for an RMA replacement.
*Be sure NOT to claim that you bought it on eBay and if they ask were you bought it just state that it was bought at a retail outlet, but you lost the receipt. I have doubts that they would cover warranty replacement status on 2nd ownership, when most warranties are written as such that the primary purchaser is covered for the warranty terms but the warranty is non transferrable!
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Hi
The warrantee is a good idea but if WD diags doesn't report a problem Western Digital will probable decline the warrantee. or if they do replace it, that drive will go back to be re sold as refurbished. Perhaps it was a refurbished drive you brought if it is, on the label it will say refurbished drive?
Another check to do is random seeks as well as the wd diags. Also if you have the drive in a windows pc booting to windows try running HDtunepro trial and check the smart table and temperature that program also has seek tests.
Lisamaree