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Dell Inspiron 15r hard drive creaks

So the user got this laptop for almost a year. So the warranty is almost over.
The drive start creaking. Very annoying.

I called Dell tech. When tech came the squeaking stopped. So she replaced fan. User refused to replace the drive since noise stopped and didn't want to reinstall everything. Dell tech replacing with blank drive.
And of course when the tech left the creaking started again :)

Questions. Would it possible for Dell to replace with SSD drive and retain all the programs and configs? Dell tech said they have special dept that can replace to SSD. But didn't mention if they can image it.
Also, even if they replace to the same HDD. Do they install just a blank drive with no windows? User paid for Windows license when purchased laptop initially.

Thoughts?

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Rotating platters do not creak. What do you think is creaking? It is probably the plastic case and if that is true, then an SSD may not stop the creaking.

ASKER

Hmm, I would think the only HDD left there that mechanical. Fan is the only one and it's been replaced by Dell tech.

Can the case creak? It's pretty loud and annoying when sitting next to it on the desk.

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record the sound and post it here, then we can judge better what it is

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Let me ask the user to record a sound. I know he was with Dell support online and they did tested remotely with their tools. Nothing wrong found. I'll try what John recommended also. Thanks.

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The last post here describes motor noise which is different to me than creaking. Does tha computer creak when it is turned off?

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@John, tried that, still creaking/scratching. Of course it's not creaking when turned off.

Regarding the sound recording that nobus suggested. It's very hard to hear. Even with Dell support on the phone they were not able to hear it through the speaker. I will try to get it recorded, but sometimes it stops than starts again. Now just stopped.

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Here you go. Let me know if you can access.

https://app.box.com/s/g76sjnbylsq5euo2cwwj

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ASKER

Ha ha nice!

Yes, Dell ran online diagnostics, nothing found.

ASKER

Here it is attached. I remove the extension .amr so I can upload.
Voice00002

I'm not talking about the Dell online diags, but rather about the HD's manufacturer's diags. Those are usually different, and will give more reliable results on the disk itself.

ASKER

No I haven't tried that. Anyways, it has a warranty from Dell still and they should take care of that.

To my original question. Should they replace and keep the same original image as when purchased?

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Which manufacture diags would you recommend?

The disk manufacturer's diagnostics. If it is a seagate, look on the seagate site. If it is a Western Digital, look on the WD site, etc.

You can also use the UBCD which includes the diagnostic tools for most manufacturers:

http://ultimatebootcd.com

But you'd have to burn that to a CD first, then boot from the CD, while most manufacturer's also include tools which you can run directly from within Windows.

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Anyways, it has a warranty from Dell still and they should take care of that.

I cannot make anything useful from the sound, and yes, I think you should take this up with Dell.

since it is a chirp - or tsiep sound, it is like something touching.
as said, could be a cd rom in the drive (wobbling and touching)
but also can be a wire touching a fan, or a fanblade touching a scrap of something

You could remove the disk and let it run from another PC, and use another temporary disk in the Dell. If the other disk starts sounding like mating frogs, it is the disk, if the dell keeps making the sound, it isn't the disk, but something else.

ASKER

Do I have to spent time try to fix myself or let Dell do it as it far under warranty?

Do I have to spent time try to fix myself or let Dell do it as it far under warranty?

The noise is strange, and so I suggest you do call Dell.

I wouldn't try fixing it, but it helps to find the problem, so you have some proof if Dell says they can't recreate it and there was nothing wrong with it. It would also help to make sure all necessary backups etc have been made, and that they are fine, before going on.

try holding it in different positions (upside down) while on, and check if the noise changes

ASKER

Nothing changes. Looks like its really a HDD.

then you can put in another drive for testing
or return it to Dell

ASKER

Looks like Dell couldn't figure out remotely and asked the user to send the laptop to them for fixing. I think it will take forever.

Tiras25 in the right hands and eyes on it could be remarkably fast to diagnose it.
But t fix is whole other area if they find a hardware problem.
Better to be safe than sorry if you value all your all your priceless photos and files/programs.Emails.

you can also ask a shop to inform you what it can be

ASKER

Sorry for the delay on this. I like to keep it open to let folks know what happened.

did you try the disk on another pc - as second drive yet?

ASKER

No. Don't have another laptop. And don't want to bother since on warranty with Dell still.

you can also test it on another PC- as second drive as i said; best NOT boot from it
look around for friends where you can test it, or have it tested in a shop

ASKER

To late. Dell already got the laptop. I'll keep you posted the status :)

Good on you Tiras25, Look to forward to your feedback, it's like watching a series and we need the final episode.
cheers

ASKER

Word Series going on now. Only 2 games left :))

>> Word Series <<from MS?

ASKER

What?? Baseball!

It's a good game. Guys run around with wooden sticks. Pretty cool!

ASKER

Update:

Got an automatic message from Dell. My laptop already sent back to me.

LOL!!
AND and??? with the laptop

ASKER

No status yet. Will wait when arrives and check it out. Probably will have to call them to ask what's been done.

Thanks :)

you also asked : "Would it possible for Dell to replace with SSD drive and retain all the programs and configs? Dell tech said they have special dept that can replace to SSD"
there is a good software for this paragon migrate to SSD : http://www.paragon-software.com/nl/home/migrate-OS-to-SSD/

ASKER

So user got laptop back from Dell. Looks like they replaced the HDD but nothing says anything. Only Windows 8 installed barebones. No Office and no Adobe that the user paid initially. Is this typical?

On the top of that the same noise came up again. So frustrating.

Since the hard drive was replaced, it seems the hard drive (rotating part) was not the issue.

Some part (drive enclosure, CD Rom enclosure) or other case construction is causing a creaking noise somehow.

ASKER

If CD-ROM is faulty and trying to spin and create noise. Could be also a problem with software?

Possible. CD's not spinning properly make strange noises.

"No Office and no Adobe that the user paid initially. Is this typical?"

That is normal. You'd first have to make an agreement that they clone the old disk, and even then I wouldn't count on it. Normally you only get such services from smaller PC shops where you have personal contact with the people there.

ASKER

Thanks Rindi. I thought it should have to be reinstalled since the user paid for those extra software when bought laptop direct from Dell.

ok - but did you inform Dell of this? the guy that does the repair does not know that

ASKER

Yes, Dell sent the box again. Need to send it back to Dell.
User would be happy to get rid of this laptop.