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How much noise should the hard drive make on a MBP early 2011?

Had since May/June last year i5 13" and only since I applied all updates few weeks ago it seems to be louder than it was before?


It sounds like a fan but isn't... obviously. Right hand side of track pad, and covering it, in fact just touching it dampens it to barely audible. Is that normal or has something gone a bit weird? A constant fan noise, which isn't the fan is now there permanently.

MacBook Pro

Posted on Mar 22, 2012 12:14 PM

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12 replies

Mar 22, 2012 3:45 PM in response to the tall

A properly operating MBP should be very quiet with a barely perceptible fan noise. I have a 7200 rpm HDD in my MBP and I have to put my ear to the chassis to hear the hard drive.


Since you are still under warranty, I suggest you make an appointment at the genius bar at your nearest Apple store. If there is a hardware problem they should be able to give you a definitive diagnosis and repair anything that may be out of order.


Ciao.

Mar 22, 2012 3:46 PM in response to the tall

How much noise should the hard drive make on a MBP early 2011?


None.


The machine should only make noise if the Superdrive is being used or the CPU's heavily used, going by my Early 2011 17".


It sounds like a fan but isn't... obviously. Right hand side of track pad, and covering it, in fact just touching it dampens it to barely audible. Is that normal or has something gone a bit weird? A constant fan noise, which isn't the fan is now there permanently.


It's possible it wasn't installed correctly and/or the case is slightly off so it's resonating the hard drive vibrations.


Make sure you have a internet connection (don't move) and reboot the machine holding the d key down like forever and Hardware Test will run.


Backup your data off the machine, if the hard drive dies under 1 year or three years with Applecare, then go get a new one. else you can replace it yourself with a better one and not void your warranty if you don't break anything doing so. Add more RAM while your at it.


http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/


As you know Mac's are made by hand by young Chinese women working 12 hour shifts performing the same function every 7 seconds for only $1.20 a hour. They live 7 to a box room and have to pay 70¢ a meal.


All in all I would say they are very tired, and it's possilbe a few defects made it to your machine.

Mar 22, 2012 6:01 PM in response to ds store

Thanks for all your answers, This whirring noise has only happened since I did the mass software/firmware updates recently, I so wish I'd not bothered. I hadn't done updates since i'd had it really. Didn't want to fix something that wasn't broke.... Is it possible that's caused this? Prior to this I only ever heard the fan come on when it was doing heavier duty stuff only, not this whir as soon as it switches on. Before the updates it was silent. When I turn on now, the DVD drive makes a different noise but that's no big deal because that's only at switch on. The fan is at 2000/2005 when idle so that's normal I understand. As it's right of track pad it must be the HD. Can anyone say why when you touch with hand it goes away, but if you touch with a sleeve it doesn't. What is it about the touch of skin?

Mar 23, 2012 4:03 AM in response to the tall

The trackpad senses the electrical currents that your body produces and responds accordingly. Your sleeve acts as an insulator so the trackpad will not react to your touch. I agree with your observations on the fan speeds and the DVD drive noise. The HDD in my 17" MBP is on the left side. Are you certain that it is on the right in your 13" MBP?


In the vast majority of cases, updating software is the right thing to do. Many of the changes correct problems as well as enhance functionality.


I repeat my prior suggestion: An Apple store genius bar appointment should solve the issue.


Ciao.

Mar 23, 2012 4:40 AM in response to OGELTHORPE

Sorry, probably didn't make myself clear, It's not the trackpad, it's the right of it, the metal/plastic!? the body of MBP, you touch it and the noise is greatly reduced, not pressured either just a touch, that's what I don't get. Is that the same on all of them now, or did the update start this? Well I know it did, but wondered why/what?

Mar 23, 2012 8:06 AM in response to the tall

I am not familiar with the 13" MBP so I cannot give you a knowledgeable answer where the various components are located. If you have a 00 Phillips head screw driver, you may take off the bottom of your MBP and check it out for yourself. It is not difficult to do and will not have an adverse affect on your warranty (unless you really botch it).


Ciao.

How much noise should the hard drive make on a MBP early 2011?

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