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Hard Drive Clunking Issues

Okay, so I'm hoping this is just me and I can just get it replaced, but I want to see if anyone else is having this problem:

(1) Click to start a video.
(2) As soon as the iPod starts accessing the hard drive, move the iPod around in the air and turn it back and forth.
(3) Note clunking sounds and feel the clunking in your hand.
(4) Repeat any time the drive is being heavily accessed.

I noticed this yesterday when I turned the iPod over to look at the back while an episode of Lost was starting up--I felt a clunk and heard it too and almost spit out my gum.

I can reproduce it just about every time the drive is being heavily accessed (it's easier to do it when video is loading rather than music, but it still happens then sometimes too).

Please let this just be a bad drive and not a design flaw...

Posted on Oct 19, 2005 8:09 AM

60 replies

Oct 25, 2005 8:49 AM in response to Garrett Murray

garrett,
it is possible to do a disk test on your own. put the ipod into "DISK MODE" and from there you can test the hard drive. it should fail the test. if so take it to an apple store, show them it failed. and they HAVE TO give you a new one.

Oct 25, 2005 8:51 AM in response to Garrett Murray

I just recieved my new ipod about 30 minutes ago in the mail.
I went ahead and connected it to my imac to sync.
all was well when the HD started clicking.
it did so for about 10 minutes. i tired to undock it and it frooze my imac up.
after i did so the HD was still clicking ..
I went ahead and called tech support.
they tried to reboot the ipod. it didn't work.
then i got transferred to a apple specialist.
tried to reboot and do some other stuff..
all i got was the clicking HD and the frown apple logo..
they are spending me a box to return my ipod and to get a new one asap.
I have the 30gig. sounds like they have a problem on their hands with this ipod...

danielh

Level 2

245 points

Oct 25, 2005 9:00 AM in response to Garrett Murray

I just read through all these message real fast, it seems to me that the people that are having this problem are folks with the 30gb...I didn't see anyone with a 60gb having the problem. Does this seem to be the case?

Oct 25, 2005 10:08 AM in response to danielh

Seems to be a 30GB only problem at this point, yes.

vokalguy

Level 1

50 points

Oct 25, 2005 10:10 AM in response to Garrett Murray

Mine is like that too.... just acts like a computer hard drive when booting.

Oct 25, 2005 12:44 PM in response to Garrett Murray

yeah, mine makes a shift noise too (not too loud)... weird... but its been working fine so far.. i might take it back if it starts messing up

Oct 25, 2005 1:01 PM in response to Garrett Murray

Apple is replacing my iPod. I'm sending it to their specialists rather than sales for replacement so they can capture it and figure out what's going on.

They said they consider this a DOA unit.

Oct 26, 2005 2:14 AM in response to danielh

I have a 60gb and I AM having a Video freeze issue. It happens every time I try to play a certain Video PodCast "Democracy Now - Monday, October 24, 2005".
The video stops playing, none of the controls seems to work, I can hear the feedback clicks, if I leave it it doesn't sleep or anything and will eventually (I assume) run out of battery power.
When the freeze occurs I can hear the hard-drive clicking for a while, not any louder than normal use, but more activity than normal video playback.
I AM able to reset the iPod.
The info for the video says it is 164MB, MPEG-4, Bit Rate: 64kbps, Profile: Low Complexity.
I also noticed that there are some serious audio problems on one channel.
It plays ok on my Mac.

Herbet

Level 2

250 points

Oct 26, 2005 2:51 PM in response to Ian Sullivan1

could it be a problem with the file?

JayS

Level 1

40 points

Oct 27, 2005 5:44 AM in response to Garrett Murray

I am having the exact same problem. It sounds like something is rolling around inside, and I have heard the screeching sound several times. I plan on phoning Apple. I don't know whether I should just ask for a refund or a replacement. I am not overly impressed with the product thus far. The case does nothing more than scratch the screen. The battery indicator seems useless. My first charge lasted for no more than three hours, and I wasn't just using it to watch videos. It froze the first time I connected it to my computer. It froze again when watching a video.... I've had it for less than two days.

Oct 27, 2005 8:33 AM in response to Garrett Murray

replace it for a 4GB nano. i did and im so happy. the nano has no hard drive. and is the perfect size. also my nano has been in my pockets with other stuff too and has not a single scratch on it. GET THE NANO. plus i got $75 back.

Oct 27, 2005 1:52 PM in response to MINI VANIILI

I have a 30GB and mine clunks when I start a video. It's not really loud, but you can tell its there and I can feel it in my hand. How do you do the hard drive check to see if it's good?

Oct 27, 2005 2:15 PM in response to Kyle Gentry

OK, I just started a video and rotated the iPod in my hand and it sounds like theres a little ball bearing rolling around in there. This definitely isn't normal - anyone had any luck exchanging them in retail stores? I'm going to try and swap mine tomorrow.

Jen_Neva

Level 2

205 points

Oct 27, 2005 2:24 PM in response to Garrett Murray

Above poster, you are probably just hearing and feeling it spin, this is normal. It is loading information into the cache, then stops spinning.

You would really know it if it is making a clicking/clunking sound. This usually indicates the hard drive is damaged internally.

I am not experiencing anything like this, yet at least, and I have the 30gb version.

Sidenote: The 30gb drive is a single platter, while the 60gb is dual platter. This accounts for the difference in thickness of the 2 units. Having the 60gb drive also gave the extra room for a slightly bigger battery, thus the increase in battery time on the 60gb.

If your harddrive is making a hard, loud clanking, you should take it back for exhange, or call Apple, for it is broken, and will die soon.

H.J.

Level 2

426 points

Oct 27, 2005 2:34 PM in response to Garrett Murray

http://www.appleinsider.com/article.php?id=1344

is that related to HDD noise? hmm..

Hard Drive Clunking Issues