Hard Drive Anti-Vibration Kit

Hello again. Been some while since I posted. My health issues are starting to get resolved slowly but surely and I just cant wait for it to be over! Close to a year now

Anyways, my question. Can anyone recommend a great anti-vibration kit for hard drives?

An HP PC I work with Model # Pavilion a445c makes a lot of vibration noise where the hard drive is at. I have worked on many PC's and this is one of the worst and annoying noises. Why does this not occur more on other machines? Is it the material and construction used?

I have owned or worked on many HP PC's that are similar in tower, etc and never come across this problem before.

Thanks for any answers

 

Hi there,

If I were you I would be backing up all my data that is on that drive. Vibration at 7500rpm is not going to lead to a long life for that HD.

Roger

 

Thanks for the responses. Where would wire and sheet metal go? I have seen some kits that go on where the skrews go into the hard drive.

Basically they are rubber and they sit between the case and the holes on the hard drive. Then when the skrews go in and vibration is absorbed by these rubber parts and you eliminate the noise.

If anyone know of a real good kit for this please tell me.

Thanks again

 

I use rubber washers from local hardware store in installing fans & when possible to cut down noise. You might wish to try to isolate where sound is coming from by borrowing or a stethoscope from a doctor or friend. Auto mechanics use one too. Once you know where most noise is coming from, tackle that first.

 

Nice idea with rubber washers. Can those be purchased at Home Depot?

 

A cooling fan with a bad bearing can also be the cause of this.

 

The hard drive for this HP is right in back of the front of the case. From what I recall there is no fan there. When I put my ear close to the front I hear it and even when far from the tower I hear it.

In the back I put my ear and nothing. It has to be the hard drive where it connects to the cage. I will buy some rubber washers and a small anti-vibration kit. Any links to good prices kits out there?


Thanks

 

I buy mine at a local hardware store. I don't think Home Depot, etc carry these. At least mine does not. You might want to check how the HD is attached to the cage carefully. That might be problem.
ALSO - felt washers would be even better. But those could be hard to find. Google is your friend.

 

flynempire
Noise and physical vibration of this nature should be easy to isolate.
With computer on, case cover off AND you hear the problem ...
Use your hand and touch components you feel could be causing the problem.
A). Position you hand and gently apply a push/pull pressure to different areas of the component(s).
B). Repeat above, but now apply a squeezing pressure to different areas of the component case mounting area .
If noise goes away applying technique "A ", you have loose mount/connection problems.
If noise goes away applying technique "B ", you have loose metal/cage metal sheets causing problem.
You may have both.
If all above does not isolate the problem AND you can FEEL a vibration emanating from within the HDD, replace it.
For this final test, you could move HDD out of computer and hold it in your hand. (cabling should/could be long enough).

SAFETY - Naturally be safe when doing above. Avoid spinning fans, bare wire/metal electrical connections.

 

Thank you to everyone for your replies. I will try all the above and get back you as soon as I can get access to that machine again.

 

Just wanted to give a quick update. I have not been able to go by the customers house. It has been more than 2 weeks since I was last there.

Until she gives the go ahead, I have to wait. I am anxious to try some of the suggestions posted.

 

Going back to my first post - speaking not as a computer geek or a code monkey, just as a life long engineer. If a HD is vibrating enough to set up sympathetic vibrations anywhere in the case - get rid of it.
I have five in my tower and three in external casings, and even holding them free in my hands there is no discernable vibration when the head is not seeking or writing - nor should there be! A 3.5 inch disc weighs at most 125 grams, and at 7500 rpm would require a major out-of-balance to shake the case.
It would certainly not pass the manufacturers quality control checks.

Roger

 

Thanks for the advice r.leale

I have still not gone by her home and she has not sent me a response in terms of the kit. I just have to wait which does occur sometimes.