HDD clicking

kent · Oct 20th, 2003, 02:38 PM

Hi Everyone,

I'm new to ehMac and Macs in general (4 days and counting). I just received a new 15" Al PowerBook (1.25) with a 5400 rpm HDD. Besides the token dead pixel, I've been very happy with the 15" PowerBook and my switch to Mac. However, while using the machine last night, I noticed that the hard drive was clicking or knocking incessantly (about once every second) even with no programs running. I may be new to Macs, but I'm certainly no stranger to HDDs and have had to replace them before. This is a new sound and it is not the normal operation HDD, if it was it would drive the user crazy...I'd take a loud fan over this anyday! The dead pixel I can handle, but the clicking has to go...

Any thoughts on this or has anyone had a similar experience?

monokitty · Oct 20th, 2003, 02:41 PM

A clicking sound is the first sound you hear before your hard drive stops working completely. I would take advantage of your 90-day warranty and get it to a Apple Authorized Service Provider to see if there's a problem with your drive (in the event it needs to be replaced, it can be expensive, so that's why I wouldn't wait to get it looked at before your warranty expires).

kent · Oct 20th, 2003, 02:48 PM

Thank you Lars...can you believe that this will be the third HDD I've replaced in my machines in 4 years...is there an electromagnet nearby or what? Will Apple have me send back the machine or will they send me to a service provider?

monokitty · Oct 20th, 2003, 03:22 PM

You should be able to take it to any Apple Authorized Service Provider to take advantage of your warranty. I don't think you need to deal directly with Apple, Inc.

kent · Oct 20th, 2003, 04:02 PM

Talked with Apple Tech Support and they ran all the diagostics, resets etc. but the problem still exists...time for the Apple tech. I guess it's back to my trusty PC workstation for now. Not a great experience for a switcher - four days in. I know computers can be tempermental, but when you spend over $4K, you don't expect problems, you expect reliability (to a certain extent), especially four days in. The clicking is getting louder...the end is near, I'm glad I haven't even transferred any files over yet.

MacDoc · Oct 20th, 2003, 05:11 PM

The rule of thumb is if it's going to fail it will in the first week..we warn clients to be careful in the first while with backups.
It's rare for a drive to fail like this but it does happen. It's not really a reflection on Apple. Now the white spot screen issue is one to be careful of, and that's not limited to Applescreens others have it too so some factory is having an issue. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

You DO have a backup drive for the Powerbook don't you......

nag, nag nag.....

jtmac · Oct 20th, 2003, 06:11 PM

Wow, this model is causing such heartache (headaches) for many new owners.

Our first one was a dud. It kernel panicked, and got so hot the keyboard was peeling up!

It got replaced right away, and the new one is perfect.

kent - our hard drive is nearly silent. Get yours checked out by an Apple service agent ASAP.

macdoc's right. If it's gonna go, it usually does it right away

kent · Oct 20th, 2003, 06:33 PM

Thanks everyone for your comments:

macdoc: I have nothing to back up yet, I've only had this G4 for a couple of days...I am always weary of new computer gear too and therefore the hardware (especially HDDs) has to earn my trust. I still have everything backed up on two HDDs on my PC workstation. In light of this problem, I will invest in a firewire external drive for peace of mind.

I realize this is not Apple's fault, but after spending over $4 K on a laptop and finding: a dead pixel, a hot spot, a cover that appears bent when closed, and now a HDD that's on the verge of failure, one has to question Apple's quality control or if in fact the product is ready for production. These machines are beautiful, and I can put up with everything but the HDD problem, but as a consumer laying out a lot of money (especially after moving from a PC platform), I shouldn't have to deal with these nagging production problems. Not only does it waste my time (having spent almost a day dealing with this), but these silly little issues are probably costing Apple a lot of money as well. Apple is currently sending me a shipping box and they're going to hopfully adress at least the HDD problem.

The bottom line is, I don't want to let my beautiful little machine go .... it's four days old.