stormshaman

I have a 40G IBM Deskstar that, when it spins up, sounds as loud as half a dozen fans. Is there a cheap way to quiet it (i.e., under $10)?

I've got a 160G Hitachi Deskstar in the mail, and I imagine it will have the same problem.

__________________

Reza

Go to a local hardware store and invest in a hammer, this will silence you hard disk forever.

Seriously though I don't know why its so loud, is it quite old? I would think the new disk will be a lot quieter.

__________________

$SOLID$ Necro

There was an article in Maximum PC about suspending them from rubber bands..but it didn't appeal to me.

You can put some paper/fiber/plastic/rubber washers under the screws, and maybe under screws in the case..and make sure they are all good and tight.

You can get some automotive/PC sound absorbing material and line the case to absorb alot of the noise, and help keep the case from vibrating (Stops noise from being amplified)

http://forums.pcapex.com/anything_go...materials.html

A hard drive enclosure would help alot, but they are not probably in the budget you are looking for (Though they aren't that expensive!)

__________________

MasterP

That 40Gb deskstar sounds like it'd be an old disk - Many of the newer drives run quieter now, but if you want to keep the drive quiet, I'd recommend the following:
1, If you have a drive cage that attaches to the base of your case, keep the noisy drive as close to the bottom as possible - this will keep vibrations from the disk from getting amplified through the case (kinda similar mentality to when you file a piece of metal in a vice)

2, If you have a suspended cage (the type that "hangs" below your 5.25" bays) keep the drive as high as possible (for the same reason as above)

3, Have a look here perhaps:
http://www.frozencpu.com/cat/l2/g33/...Silencers.html

__________________

milosh

i was looking for a way to silence mine too, just got a seagate to replace my wd when i thought i had hd failure, it sounds like a dirtbike going 60 a block away

these solutions help to keep a case from making noise because of the hd shaking, but it might not fix the problem if its the hd spinning on its own

i might just resort to getting one of the silencers to put it in a 5.25 bay then wrapping it in noise dampening padding

eascarface

As far as I know the only way to combat the sound of it spinning up is by putting it in an enclosure. As for the vibrations the best idea I've heard of is to strap it in rubber bands. I would also check www.silentpcreview.com --- they have a lot of good info/reviews about this kinda stuff.

__________________

Gzim

I remember reading a how to about silencing the original xbox by liberal placement of cork sheets, shouldn't be too expensive.

__________________

musclecars&computers

cut out cardboard the size of the drive and put it on top and bottom and put two rubber bands around it.

__________________

stormshaman

Quote: Originally Posted by eascarface As far as I know the only way to combat the sound of it spinning up is by putting it in an enclosure. As for the vibrations the best idea I've heard of is to strap it in rubber bands. I would also check www.silentpcreview.com --- they have a lot of good info/reviews about this kinda stuff.

I'll certainly try the suspension method described at SPCR; it's cheap, but sounds effective. SPCR also says a new HDD should make less noise then seeking, because it uses quieter bearings. Thanks!

__________________

THRASHER2

*** NEW *** Premium Silicon Rubber Hard Drive Skin - Black
Sale $4.95 Save: 50% off

Product Details:

What would you do with extra hard drives? Using our Silicon Rubber HDD Protective Skin is the easiest and cheapest way to convert your drive for external use without spending alot of money on metal enclosures.
This smart design protects sensitive hard drives and allows proper heat dissipation generated from the hard drive.
The SR HDD Skin is easy to fit that takes only 5 seconds to install. This SR encolosure is also stackable saving desktop spaces!
For users already owning an IDE to USB convert cable or equivalent device, the SR HDD protective skin is all you need to convert a hard drive for external use. Performance PC's also offers optional IDE to USB / IDE to SATA / SATA to SATA and external power cables and brackets for converting your IDE or SATA HDD to a fully functioning external lightweight enclosure. This is also great for test setups on site and bench installs. This is a must have for all power users toolbox!

__________________

Cpt.Planet

Get a Raptor? I keed I keed. I would imagine that your bearings are going bad in your disk if this just started doing this. Most of the newer drives are alot quieter than alot of those older drives.

__________________

stormshaman

Quote: Originally Posted by Cpt.Planet Get a Raptor? I keed I keed. I would imagine that your bearings are going bad in your disk if this just started doing this. Most of the newer drives are alot quieter than alot of those older drives.

I think the drive has been like this from before. I just haven't used it recently, but last week I sent my 160G in for replacement, so I've been using this 40G instead.

__________________

BigAkita

I saw another post here about silencing the system as a whole. Thought I would give my two cents.

I purchased a 7 square yard of 1/8th inch neoprene from eBay for $10 plus another $5 for shipping. Great stuff for insulating sound, or insulating sub-zero temps.

__________________

joecoin

Is the drive doing an inordinate amount of seeking? Don't overlook defragging it.

Be careful when covering a drive with sound insulating materials, they also act as heat insulators.

__________________

Gzim

Quote: Originally Posted by BigAkita I saw another post here about silencing the system as a whole. Thought I would give my two cents. I purchased a 7 square yard of 1/8th inch neoprene from eBay for $10 plus another $5 for shipping. Great stuff for insulating sound, or insulating sub-zero temps.

I've heard (and even read in reviews) that sound dampening materials raise temperatures by a very measurable few degrees, notice any raises in temps?

__________________

stormshaman

Quote: Originally Posted by BigAkita I saw another post here about silencing the system as a whole. Thought I would give my two cents. I purchased a 7 square yard of 1/8th inch neoprene from eBay for $10 plus another $5 for shipping. Great stuff for insulating sound, or insulating sub-zero temps.

A good idea, but a tad outside my budget. If it's not doable in $10, I won't do it, because noise is a low priority as far as spending on my computer.

__________________

stormshaman

Quote: Originally Posted by joecoin Is the drive doing an inordinate amount of seeking? Don't overlook defragging it.

I just installed my OS, and the drive is ext3, which doesn't fragment much.

__________________

BigAkita

Gzim, Good point. You are correct about the noise dampening material usually hampering good temps.

I can't believe that this dude said that $15 is outside his budget. Mac and cheese must get old after a while.

__________________

stormshaman