New HDD making odd noises?

[Huxley2k7]

My fairly new HDD (OEM WD5000 AAKS) has been making funny noises! Recently it became really noticeable when running EVE Online for the first time. I've never played the game before, but during the character selection screen, simply highlighting the 'Choose your race' button was causing what i think is the HDD to make weird whizzing/whisking noises. As soon as i moved my mouse off said button, the noise stopped. I could literally move it on, off, on off with the same results. Noise on, noise off. Like that part of the HDD disk being read caused the noise.

I'm worried... It does make this noise with other programs, like just during general play, but not usually as noisy as it was just now in EVE when merely highlighting a button. I haven't been experiencing any noticeable performance issues, slowdowns or anything. Bootup is pretty quick, the WinXP logo shows about 2-4 bars before entering Windows, programs load up nicely and i regularly maintain the HDD with Diskeeper and other maintenance procedures.

Does this mean the HDD is dying, or is that noise just normal? Is there a way i can stop it? I saw some reviews saying that the HDD can be noisy, and enabling Acousting Management would stop this, yet i can't find the option in Bios.

It's OEM too, so i don't think there's any warranty.

Your thoughts please peeps...

 

[trog100]

depends on the kind of noise.. in the past u could always hear them working.. now some u can some u cant..

clicking or knocking noises are a sign of coming failure.. copy some large files about and listen to it.. i have had two just die on me.. both less than two years old.. both samsung spinpoints..

they dont last as long as they used to thats a fact.. if in doubt back things up is my advice..

trog

 

[EnglishLion]

Backup any crucial stuff just in case. Then don't worry about it but keep an eye on it, check manufacteurers website for utilities and warranty info!

 

[AsRock]

WD changed there warranty around September but for the better from what i remember. Retail have more than 1 year now were as OEM's have 3 years and OEM Raptors with 5 years ( Don't know if Raptors had any change from OEM and Retail). NOW there both 3 year with the model in question OEM or Retail.

As For Acousting Management you need a program that goes in to the HDD Bios not your Mobo's. Not found one to deal with it as i wanted to turn mine off as it supposed to slow the HDD down some.

EDIT: http://support.wdc.com/warranty/policy.asp

 

[Huxley2k7]

Thanks guys, i guess ill just have to see how it goes. My old 80GB Maxtor used to make clicking sounds anyway, but there were no other signs of 'failing' i just assumed it was normal. Bloody things, nothing ever goes right does it.

EDIT: Well i copied a big 7GB file from one location to another, it doesnt make any noise, can barely hear it working. Good sign or what? How else can i tell my HDD is gonna bail?

 

[francis511]

WD changed there warranty around September but for the better from what i remember. Retail have more than 1 year now were as OEM's have 3 years and OEM Raptors with 5 years ( Don't know if Raptors had any change from OEM and Retail). NOW there both 3 year with the model in question OEM or Retail.

As For Acousting Management you need a program that goes in to the HDD Bios not your Mobo's. Not found one to deal with it as i wanted to turn mine off as it supposed to slow the HDD down some.

EDIT: http://support.wdc.com/warranty/policy.asp

Try systool

 

[Peteyboi]

it could possibly mean that the data it is trying to access to damaged. One example of this is putting a scratched CD into your computer and hearing the exess nosie casused by the laser having to scan faster.

Re-install and defrag.

 

[AsRock]

Try systool

Tried a while ago it seems anti x64. Well Anti my system anyways.

Same for this guy too
http://forums.techpowerup.com/showthread.php?t=48089