Hard Drive Problems?

[Sheepdisease]

Hello, I've just set up a RAID1 configuration using two 750GB Samsung F1 HDD's. Also on the scene is a third 750GB HDD which is currently redundant but will be used to create a backup of the other drives. On top of that I have a third HDD installed (1TB) for backing up everything.

Just to clarify: ALL OF THESE DRIVES ARE NEW

The problem is that I have started to notice my PC freezing up, whilst the hard drives start to seek. This can be whilst playing music, browsing the net, scanning for malware and so on. I accept that it may be because of a combination of all of the above at the same time, but the freeze time is around 4 seconds (surely this shouldn't be happening). When the drives start to spin they also make a noise, which is kind of clicky (as far as I have noticed they only make the clicky noise once).

What does everyone think?

[nkq0rs]

What operating system are you using?

In Vista, sometimes my open programs lag while the necessary files are retrieved from an asleep disk.

The clicking noise is unsettling.

[Sheepdisease]

Hello, I am using Windows Vista Home Premium edition (32bit).

[nkq0rs]

HDD drive in Vista system will be turned off (it’s actually not hibernation as there is no memory state, instead, the whole hard disk is shutdown and cut off from power) in order to conserve and save power or electricity. The downsize and disadvantage of this power saving feature is that when users want to access and read a idle turned off hard disk drive, the access is not immediate as the drive needs to recover from sleep mode. Usually, users will hear a loud noise generated from sudden start moving of hard disk’s mechanical part, while access to hard disk starts only after a few seconds.

Here is a link to the article

[Sheepdisease]

Ah! I never thought of adjusting the power saving settings.

I have made adjustments and let you know the outcome.

Thank you!

[Sheepdisease]

Brilliant, I haven't had any problems since.

Thank you so much!