>>>> A desktop Seagate 320GB hard drive of mine sometimes makes a buzzing >>>> noise. I ran 'smartctl -t long /dev/sda' and I get: >>>> >>>> Num Test_Description Status Remaining >>>> LifeTime(hours) LBA_of_first_error >>>> # 1 Extended offline Completed without error 00% 11740 >>>> - >>>> >>>> Does the noise mean I need to replace the drive, or would >>>> smartmontools tell me if there was a problem? >>> >>> Any weird noises from a hard drive scare me... make a backup as soon >>> as possible. In fact I had a 320GB Seagate drive start making funny >>> noises recently (but in my case it was the click of doom and the drive >>> going offline). >>> >>> However, in case it's just a weird noise caused by it spinning at just >>> the right speed with the heads at just the right place which is >>> causing some vibration, you might try adjusting the acoustic settings >>> on it with hdparm to see if it makes any difference (if supported, and >>> if you dare). Or maybe even re-seat the drive in the case. >>> >>> The fan on top of my case randomly starts vibrating and makes the most >>> awful buzzing noise. If I touch the case in a certain spot it goes >>> away (until I remove my finger). :) I usually just give it a couple >>> whacks and it stops... but that's probably not a good course to take >>> with a hard drive. :) >> >> I was hoping it was that type of noise but after testing and >> reseating, it's some kind of an internal noise. It started a month or >> so ago and sometimes it stops. Is there any other type of test I can >> do to see if the thing is healthy? > > You could try booting SeaTools for DOS from a floppy/CD/USB, it may be > able to do more specific tests on your drive than S.M.A.R.T. is > capable of. > > http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads/seatools > > (they used to have a Linux version, but it's old and doesn't support > things like SATA...)
Thanks Paul, sounds like extra noise isn't an absolute kiss of death. - Grant
