Time Machine Backups - HDD Noise..

[Nick 214]

Hey everyone,

I finally decided to get into Time Machine on my 2.66Ghz iMac.. I nabbed a great deal on a 320GB WD Caviar drive at Newegg, and have it loaded into my LaCie Extreme case (FW 800, FTW!). Here's my concern: I did this becuase I'm at college most of the year and don't want the family computer to fail while I'm away.. So Time Machine is working great, but I have noticed one thing.... The WD HDD is considerable louder than it's 160GB Seagate predecessor... I'm guessing that Time Machine just keeps the disks active, thus I'm just hearing "working" sounds... But I'm still concerned.

Anyone to offer sage advice?

I'm off to my analog front-end and tubes. And DT-880s (No HDDs)

NK

 

[ozz]

I have used a Lacie 320 external since Time Machine was available and its one noisy unit
but no failures yet.

 

[Nick 214]

Hey, thanks for the reassurance. Ever try to damp the enclosure?

(It's my birthday!

)

NK

 

[ozz]

Nah just turn the music up but my next one will be a WD Studio my friend has one and
its quiet but it does have an annoying light.

 

[Nick 214]

Haha sure. I don't care about the case. I've gone through 4 internal drives on this case... I keep going Caviar because it's cheap... I should move up to a 10,000RPM drive to take better advantage of FW 800..

 

[Nick 214]

Anyone for damping ideas? Tar sheets?

 

[Nick 214]

Or maybe a spray-damping of the case?

NK (Who is now a 500+ member

)

 

[Sardonyx]

I have a Bytecc enclosure that almost all of the noise comes from the case vibrating against the desk. I put a mouse pad underneath and it's nearly silent. I recommend against noise dampening material because the stuff will also trap heat. You could get a longer cable & set the drive on thefloor