The hard drive that my husband uses for his computer is very noisy. 
We leave that machine on pretty much 24/7.  I share the office with
him and the buzzing that emits from the hard drive is really annoying.
 This is a Gateway model and it's pretty old (5yrs).  It's the big
stand up kind.   Is there anything we can do to make it less noisey
(decrease the buzzing sound) short of replacing it?.  It sounds like
the buzzing of electric lines.

---

Request for Question Clarification by mvguy-ga on 12 Sep 2002 15:18 PDT

How do you know that it's the hard drive that's making the noise?  A
hard drive that's continually noisy would have probably failed by now,
so I'm suspecting that the problem is the power supply.

---

Clarification of Question by ardmore-ga on 12 Sep 2002 15:33 PDT

The noise is defintely coming from INSIDE the hard drive.  It's a
Gateway gp6333 and is at least from '95 but we bought it in '98.  I
think the manufacturer was overstocked and the hard drive is just old.
 But regardless of that - the noise is a BUZZ.  The hard drive has not
failed.  It used to crash alot but we upgraded from windows 98 to XP
althought he bussing existed before we upgraded aso I don't think that
had anything to do with it.   The buzzing is inside. (it sounds like
power lines)   Could it be a fan?
And how do you replace THAT? Thanks for any help here!

Hello Ardmore,

In general, the noise from the disk drive is something you will not be
able to reduce. The drive is a sealed unit and the noise can be a
combination of:
 - sealed bearings for the platters (generally a hum)
 - abrupt change in motion of the heads (generally clicking)
Those two parts are just about the only moving parts of a disk drive.
Neither can be replaced by the user or a technician without spending
far more than a new unit. A new disk would also likely be far larger
than your current one.

I will also agree with Mvguy, a disk drive that makes noise is usually
close to failure. You may want to replace it as soon as you can -
especially if or when the noise changes significantly.

If you want to pursue more options, a few things that may reduce the
disk noise if care is taken:
 - move the computer under the table or into a cabinet. Be sure it
will not overheat in its new location.
 - check all items attached to or near the disk to see if it can
vibrate and amplify any noise from the disk. Secure or dampen those
items.
 - add a small rubber washer on the screws attaching the disk to the
mounting plate. This would help dampen the vibration making it into
the plate. Make sure you do not defeat the grounding of the disk when
doing this.
 - if the disk is cool to the touch when in use, it may be possible to
put insulation around the disk to dampen the noise. However, you may
not have space to do so. Also note that adding insulation is likely to
increase the temperature of the disk and reduce its remaining life.
There are some commercial items such as the "Silent Drive" enclosure
  http://www.directron.com/silentdrive.html
If you choose one of these products, check the restrictions carefully.

As others have noted - fans are generally more noisy than disk drives.
I would check those as well but in a different way. I don't recommend
stopping the fan - use something to isolate the sound to each fan. If
fans are noisy, they are generally far less expensive to replace as
well.

For general ideas on reducing the noise of computers, also check
out...
  http://www.pcguide.com/opt/opt/physNoise-c.html
I hope this answer provides a number of ideas to reduce the noise in
your computer system and good luck!

  --Maniac

Thanks for the info!  This was a really easy way to get anwsers -
nobody has been able to tell me in such a concise manner how to tackle
this one.  I'll try all the options suggested.  Cheers!

Try replacing the fan.  It's usually the fan that makes all the sounds.

To find out if it's the fan. Take pencil stick it in the back through
the grate were the fan is. That will stop the fan If the noise stops
you found the problem.
If the noise is still there you'll have to open the box. Take of the lid,
see if there are any fans inside there might be one on the CPU (a big chip
inside) or even on the video card. Either way, use the same diagnostic
method IE stop the fan, if noise stops get that one replaced.

Cheers,

inquisitor-ga

Putting the computer onto a carpeted floor and under the desk reduces
the sound a little, it gets amplified if the computer is sitting on a
hard desk which acts as a sound board.

Thank you for your comments.  I will try moving it to the floor /
carpet.  But I think I will steer clear from sticking a pencil in
there to stop the fan.  I'd probably harm it.  The researcher tells me
this hard drive may be on it's last leg - hence the noise.

Hi,

I've had this problem with two computers that I've been using, and
unfortunately they are also old.

Sometimes, you can give your computer a kick (not recommened! (: ) and
it will stop.  However, you may lubricate the fan with some WD40 after
first removing it from the processor.  Snap it back on and your in
business.

This method will only eliminate the noise for a few days -- I would
recommend purchasing a new fan.

Good luck.. :)

Another possibility- the CPU Fan - if it is failing it could be noisy,
and if it fails the usual result is either:
1. the system crashes (overheated CPU stops functioning) 
2. If there is a thermal protection circuit -automatic shutdown (or
crash!)
3. Fried CPU!
but I've also had a couple of cases where a wire inside the case
rubbed against the fan and made a loud buzz - the fan is usualy
plastic, so it won't short out, but eventualy will break the wire -
though it could be a long while.
There are often a few unused wires inside, so   it might not cause any
other problems!

If thats it - once the case is opened - it's a 10 second fix!!!