spinner disk scanning noise

linw · May 19, 2023

(I did try to search for this but got no answers that remotely informed me).

I am on Win 11 22H2 22621.1702. Dell 3060 SFF

Fairly recently I have been periodiically getting buzzing noises that sounded like a head has been zipped across the disk often followed by a couple of tick, ticks.

I have two SSD's and one spinner. With the noise I get I assumed it would be the spinner but I have changed it with another one and I still get the periodic noises. Often it will do it after waking from sleep but also random other times.

Wondering if anyone has any ideas.

badrobot · May 19, 2023

linw said:
(I did try to search for this but got no answers that remotely informed me).

I am on Win 11 22H2 22621.1702. Dell 3060 SFF

Fairly recently I have been periodiically getting buzzing noises that sounded like a head has been zipped across the disk often followed by a couple of tick, ticks.

I have two SSD's and one spinner. With the noise I get I assumed it would be the spinner but I have changed it with another one and I still get the periodic noises. Often it will do it after waking from sleep but also random other times.

Wondering if anyone has any ideas.

If that spinner is more than 5 years old, start backing up your data. It's gonna die soon.

linw · May 19, 2023

Already done the backup but, as I said, I replaced it with another drive and the noise still occurred.

bobkn · May 20, 2023

Your description sounds like the famous click of death.

However, the odds of getting it in two drives seems low. Unless they are both old, and failing.

linw · May 20, 2023

Yea, I was working on the two crook drives being a low likelihood. I have also tested the drives and they passed muster.

But, yes, they are both old drives....

I have a third - might try that!!

This drive has pretty static data on it and it is backed up so I am not in any danger here.

linw · May 20, 2023

Thanks for replying but I have managed to move stuff to my second SSD.
Who needs spinners now!!!

Ghot · May 20, 2023

linw said:
Thanks for replying but I have managed to move stuff to my second SSD.
Who needs spinners now!!!

If your computer is really quiet, you may just be hearing the normal drive operation.
What is the make/model of the drives?

K7MEM · May 20, 2023

Are you sure it is a disk drive? I sounds to me like it could be a fan. A buzzing sound can easily be made from fan blades. Those small fans can build up a lot of dust and get off balance.

linw · May 20, 2023

Not normal drive operation as that drive hardly gets accessed. Never heard long zips, like it was doing, in my earlier computers pre SSD's. And I do believe it has stopped now.

Wasn't a fan as I could literally hear the tracks being traversed.

I just got confused because it did it on two different drives. I can't work that out, but nevermind.

Anyway, good to be able to ditch spinners for good

Thanks for responses. All happy now.

TM21 · May 20, 2023

Does that little SFF have a CD/DVD drive? If so, did you by chance leave a disk in it? I've seem people to that, is why I asked.
Then there is the chance that maybe some wire has gotten to close to the CPU Cooling fan.
You, really need to remove the outer case and see what's going on in there! And maybe even clean your cpu cooling fan while your're in there.
Whatever the problem is, we can't fix it from here. You're going to have to do that, or take it to a repair shop.

Just an old tech, mind bombing the situation.

Good Luck,
TM

linw · May 20, 2023

As above, already fixed.

linw · May 22, 2023

Just to round off, I found an answer from Dell. Quote below:-

"Some portable systems equipped with solid state drives (SSD) emit an audible squeal when the system is idle or under light use. This is normal behavior.

In order to save energy when the Central Processing Unit (CPU) is idle, the CPU can be set to enter a lower-power mode, also known as a "C-State". The intent of lower power modes is to cut power use inside the CPU. In certain situations, a high-frequency buzzing noise can be heard from the system. This buzzing noise appears with a change in processor activity, SSD load, or if Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices are attached.

The noise comes from the processor’s power circuit and can only be heard when the processor is in C3 (clock-stopped or sleep) power state. The noise is generated from the processor's power circuit, which is caused by a phenomenon referred to as the Piezoelectric Effect. When a specific voltage is applied to these solid state components, they begin to resonate producing sounds that fall within the range of human hearing (15 – 20 KHz).

This is the noise that is heard from the system, and is not indicative of a problem or failure".

I think this started with my PC after a BIOS update a little while ago.
I have disabled c-state in the BIOS and don't expect it to happen again!

So, yes, having the same fault with two drives is, indeed, unlikely! But still happy with ditching the spinner.

Hope this might help other Dell owners.

spinner disk scanning noise

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