How often does your hard drive "chirp"?

theoix · ‎07-08-2012

my ST2000DM001 hard drive is chirping almost once a minute if the drive is idle. It doesn't seem to chirp when the drive is being actively used.

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theoix · ‎07-08-2012

Seriously, it would be nice to have Seagate tell me whether this behavior of my hard drive is normal or not.

theoix · ‎07-08-2012

I need an answer

fzabkar · ‎01-27-2009

It may have helped if you had identified the meaning of the data in each column, but I'm assuming that the last column is the raw SMART Load/Unload Cycle count.

If so, then there are several threads discussing APM and firmware updates. Beyond that, you will need to contact Seagate's Tech Support. This is a user forum, with input from users, not tech support staff (other than moderators).

theoix · ‎07-08-2012

Yes, the last column is the raw value for load cycle count.

My hard drive is running the newest firmware CC4H.

I've already read the existing threads. There is still no clear answer as to whether this behavior is normal or a defect.

I don't understand why Seagate is unable to provide this simple answer.

fzabkar · ‎01-27-2009

You didn't specify your OS, but I know that Linux users are reporting APM issues with various models, including WD's. In your case you might like to experiment with hdparm or QuietHDD. For example, you could add an appropriate hdparm command line to your startup axis so that your preferred APM level is automatically set at bootup. Or you could experiment with your Power Management settings.

theoix · ‎07-08-2012

I am not using Linux. I am using Windows 7 64 Ultimate.

I am already aware of the band-aid fixes. This wasn't even my question to begin with.

I just want to know if the frequent chirping is an intended behavior by Seagate or a defect.

I need to know whether my hard drive is defective or not.

theoix · ‎07-08-2012

Well, I contacted Seagate support and just got the most retarded response ever that had nothing to do with my question.

Thank you for contacting Seagate. I' m sorry your having issues with the Barracuda drive.

I can't give you a detailed explanation from what symptoms you are experiencing. The best way to check the drive for failure is to run SeaTools, our diagnostic software. This will give you a detailed failure if it occurs. I have included the link to the software. Please run the short and long tests.

http://www.seagate.com/support/downloads/seatools/

fzabkar · ‎01-27-2009

I don't see anything that would suggest that there may be a fault on your drive. I agree that its head parking appears to be excessively aggressive, but that's a design "feature", not a fault.

Anyway, ISTM that there is some task in Windows that is accessing the drive every minute or so.

For example, let's assume that the drive's own APM is autoparking it after 20 seconds of inactivity. Then a possible scenario is as follows:

1:00:00 PM - Windows task accesses the drive and wakes it from sleep
1:00:20 PM - APM spins down the drive
1:01:00 PM - Windows task accesses the drive and wakes it from sleep
1:01:20 PM - APM spins down the drive
1:01:50 PM - User begins work and drive is accessed continually, drive spins up and stays up
2:00:10 PM - User stops work
2:00:30 PM - APM spins down the drive
2:01:00 PM - Windows task accesses the drive and wakes it from sleep
2:00:20 PM - APM spins down the drive
etc

theoix · ‎07-08-2012

Yes, but if you read the main thread about this issue, people are having this problem regardless of OS. This is happening on both Windows and Linux.

I don't see how it's a "feature" when the excessive head parking will inevitably lead to a shorter life of the drive.

Barracuda XT, Barracuda, Barracuda Green, DiamondMax and other desktop SATA and IDE drives

How often does your hard drive "chirp"?

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