Question New external HDD possibly weird sounds

[Guchen]

Hello,
just a few hours ago I received my WD My book 8TB external HDD because I didn't really have a way to backup a good 4TB of data before.
Right now I'm backing up my 4TB HDD onto this 8TB one, however I can hear a rhythmic, very bassy sound (the audio might be clipping a bit, I just put my microphone right next to it): https://voca.ro/dGCYPpI1Mwl

This sound is audible since I got it (about 5 hours ago). While I'm not copying anything or just doing some light work on it, it is still there but quieter and only every few minutes but quite irregularly. WD's own utilities tell me that the SMART status is good, their checks passed and in Seatools the checks also passed. However while checking with Seatools this sound was audible (again exxagerated by the microphone): https://vocaroo.com/dSWPcCQNP4U
The idle sound (this time it happened a few seconds apart): https://vocaroo.com/ldTllmuRWLu
NOTICE: In all three recordings there is quite a bit of noise, however I didn't want to use noise removal as it might also remove some of the sounds.

Did I receive a faulty HDD or is this a normal sound while copying files (maybe the head jumping around)?
I'm grateful for any help.

Edit: It doesn't sound too bad, not like the head is scratching the disks or anything but when my HDD is making sounds I'm still sceptical.

 

[seagate_surfer]

Hello,
just a few hours ago I received my WD My book 8TB external HDD because I didn't really have a way to backup a good 4TB of data before.
Right now I'm backing up my 4TB HDD onto this 8TB one, however I can hear a rhythmic, very bassy sound (the audio might be clipping a bit, I just put my microphone right next to it): https://voca.ro/dGCYPpI1Mwl

This sound is audible since I got it (about 5 hours ago). While I'm not copying anything or just doing some light work on it, it is still there but quieter and only every few minutes but quite irregularly. WD's own utilities tell me that the SMART status is good, their checks passed and in Seatools the checks also passed. However while checking with Seatools this sound was audible (again exxagerated by the microphone): https://vocaroo.com/dSWPcCQNP4U
The idle sound (this time it happened a few seconds apart): https://vocaroo.com/ldTllmuRWLu
NOTICE: In all three recordings there is quite a bit of noise, however I didn't want to use noise removal as it might also remove some of the sounds.

Did I receive a faulty HDD or is this a normal sound while copying files (maybe the head jumping around)?
I'm grateful for any help.

Edit: It doesn't sound too bad, not like the head is scratching the disks or anything but when my HDD is making sounds I'm still sceptical.

Hello. does it sound like the head is slightly knocking or touching the drive? How exaggerated is the audio, can you hear it while working?

 

[Guchen]

Hello. does it sound like the head is slightly knocking or touching the drive? How exaggerated is the audio, can you hear it while working?

Firstly, thanks for your response.

Secondly it's hard to tell if it's knocking. It definitely doesn't sound like it's touching the drive.
Yes, it is very cleary audible while working, however while I'm not copying files and it's just spinning the sound is rather quiet and I can only make it out once in a while.

I also recorded a video with my phone where you can probably get a much better idea:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7uGisP-lHHM
(it is audible twice [very well at about 6 seconds], the background noise/humming comes from the HDD itself and from my PC next to it [however it's fans are relatively quiet, they are some of the better be quiet! ones])

One thing I would also like to mention: When you hear this sound you can also feel the table vibrate a bit (my mouse is about 15cm away from the HDD and you can feel it very well).

 

[seagate_surfer]

Thank you for the video, we definitely hear a knocking sound. Those sounds can be an indication for drive damages, therefore we recommend backing up your data to prevent any loss.
Does it sound like a rhythm? Or is it more sporadic?

 

[Guchen]

Thank you for the video, we definitely hear a knocking sound. Those sounds can be an indication for drive damages, therefore we recommend backing up your data to prevent any loss.
Does it sound like a rhythm? Or is it more sporadic?

While under heavy load it is rhythmic, otherwise it is rather sporadic (intervals in between 10 seconds and 2 minutes).
Also note: this is a brand new drive and it was like this since I got it. Maybe the trusty delivery service handled it by just throwing the package into their vehicle.

 

[seagate_surfer]

Also note: this is a brand new drive and it was like this since I got it. Maybe the trusty delivery service handled it by just throwing the package into their vehicle.

Yes, this could have been the reason why it is making noise. Hard drives still have mechanical pieces, which can be damaged by insufficient packaging or delivery issues.

Since the drive is new, and has been making those noises since you received it, we would recommend you to contact the technical support and explain to them that the drive is making noise. This is typically a reason for a immediate replacement. We hope it all goes well with that process.

 

[mdd1963]

Spinning drives make noise...

The first audio, all I heard was classic activity sounds that spinning drives make...

External drives will be heard...

Keep your data backed up in more than one place (normal!), and keep an eye on it, but, if it passes tests and works fine, this might be much ado about nothing... (If you want to hear some noise, do a GsmartControl Short Self Test ,2 min if test passes, and causes same scratchy/vibrations, I'd say it is normal)