IBM HDD utility, Also works with Other brands.
Was not able to re-locate the link on IBM's Website, I did locate a link on AOA's site, along with a link for AMSET.
http://files.aoaforums.com/index.php?dir=150
Other Items I have found upon building many systems, I have found that case design has a LOT to do with hard drive noise. I have 2 systems here.
System #1: all PATA drives
4X 40 GB 160GB RAID/0 ATA133 7200RPM 2MB Cache
Data (2X WD, 2X Maxtor
1X 60GB ATA133 7200RPM 8MB Cache
Boot (Maxtor)
Xasier III case (With some custom mods)
System 2: SATA1
1X 160GB 7200RPM 8MB Cache
Boot and Data (SEAGATE)
Generic Case (Some custom mods)
All drives in both systems are at Manufacturer default specs NO soft mods for noise etc.
System #1:
I do have the low hum of Fans as there are 9 Fans (I removed 2) in this case, there is NO HDD chatter that is audible with the case closed.
If I open the case I can hear typical drive chatter on access, as well as the dull wine of spinning platters.
System #2:
Again I do hear a low hum of 7 Fans.
With case closed I hear HDD accessesquite well, But NO rotational noise
With case open, there is almose no differance with HDD noise.
This is just from personal experience with 2 systems I use everyday.
"Pardon my spelling, and I will pardon yours" ~~ Infopumper
If buying new hard drive:
Look for a Hard drive with (FDB) Fluid Dynamic Bearing Motor.
For current Drives:
You may be able to download Firmware updates to quiet the drive.
For some Maxtor drives, you can download QUIETDRIVE Enabler from MAXTOR..
Although the QUIETDRIVE Tech is on multiple Manufacturers drives as of now, some company's disable it, or do not allow you to turn i off.
With QUIETDRIVE enabled, there will be a slight decrease in performance..
Slashdot Mirror
Depending on the Drive type(PATA-SATA) There are a couple utilities available.
AMSET:
Maxtor drives only was available from Maxtor at one time, currently not supported by Maxtor.
Hitachi Feature tool (FTOOL)m
Works for multiple Manufactrurer's Drives and treats RAID controllers as std IDE, Will also work with SATA Drives.
http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.ht
IBM HDD utility, Also works with Other brands.
Was not able to re-locate the link on IBM's Website, I did locate a link on AOA's site, along with a link for AMSET. http://files.aoaforums.com/index.php?dir=150
Other Items I have found upon building many systems, I have found that case design has a LOT to do with hard drive noise. I have 2 systems here.
System #1: all PATA drives
4X 40 GB 160GB RAID/0 ATA133 7200RPM 2MB Cache Data (2X WD, 2X Maxtor
1X 60GB ATA133 7200RPM 8MB Cache Boot (Maxtor)
Xasier III case (With some custom mods)
System 2: SATA1
1X 160GB 7200RPM 8MB Cache Boot and Data (SEAGATE)
Generic Case (Some custom mods)
All drives in both systems are at Manufacturer default specs NO soft mods for noise etc.
System #1:
I do have the low hum of Fans as there are 9 Fans (I removed 2) in this case, there is NO HDD chatter that is audible with the case closed.
If I open the case I can hear typical drive chatter on access, as well as the dull wine of spinning platters.
System #2:
Again I do hear a low hum of 7 Fans. With case closed I hear HDD accessesquite well, But NO rotational noise
With case open, there is almose no differance with HDD noise.
This is just from personal experience with 2 systems I use everyday.
"Pardon my spelling, and I will pardon yours"
~~ Infopumper
If buying new hard drive: Look for a Hard drive with (FDB) Fluid Dynamic Bearing Motor. For current Drives: You may be able to download Firmware updates to quiet the drive. For some Maxtor drives, you can download QUIETDRIVE Enabler from MAXTOR.. Although the QUIETDRIVE Tech is on multiple Manufacturers drives as of now, some company's disable it, or do not allow you to turn i off. With QUIETDRIVE enabled, there will be a slight decrease in performance..