Can a hard drive be failing even though tests say it's fine ?

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At0micguru

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Dec 8, 2011
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I've been getting a random quiet beep every 20-30 mins recently when using the computer and I've looked at everything that could be the source.(CPU temp fine, GPU temp fine, All fans running normal, No warnings enabled in BIOS)
After a bit of digging around I suspect that it could be my windows 7 main hard drive (its quite noisy compared to my other HDD) but when I tested it via CrystalDisk and windows built in disk checker, they all came up clean with no errors to my surprise. How reliable can the tests be ?

I've ordered a new SSD and HDD for windows just to be on the safe side but if my Current Win7 drive is actually fine then it would be a bonus to be able to use it for a transfer point between OSX and windows :)
 
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Boogieman_WD

Boogieman_WD

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Jul 31, 2014
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Hey there, At0micguru.

It is advisable to run an extend/long (or whatever it is called by the specific tool) test as well. And it is recommended that you do that with the HDD manufacturer's diagnostic tool, to see if anything unusual pops-up. The SMART data is not 100% accurate all the time so if the HDD manufacturer doesn't offer a diagnostic tool, you can double-check with a 3rd party one: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/toolsofthetrade/tp/tophddiag.htm.
It is a good idea to backup your important data if you have suspicions that it might be the HDD. You could also try it out with a different computer, or at least with a different SATA port and cables on yours, to see if the same thing happens.

If it turns out that it's not the drive, you might want to take your PC to a computer service shop and get it fully diagnosed.

Hope that helps. Please let me know how it goes.
Boogieman_WD
 
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At0micguru

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Thanks, I'm currently testing it via HD Tune pro now and just after downloading Seagates test tool (Oh it just beeped again lol) so i'm going to test it with it next. I ran my computer on my OSX partition which is installed on a SSD and no beep occurred so its either a windows thing or the hard drive its installed on. I'll double check and jump onto OSX and do some stuff on it to see if i can get it to beep.
 
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At0micguru

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Just finished defraging the drive 20 mins ago. hopefully that will have it sorted!
 
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At0micguru

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What ever that is causing the beep its going to cause the drive to fail. After De-fraging three days ago it drastically dropped the frequency of the beep down to two-three hours at a time but the beep gradually got more frequent until yesterday last night where out of nowhere when browsing the web it started to beep rapidly until the hard drive clicked resulting the whole computer freezing, Not even task manager was able to save me lol

After my windows drive froze I booted into my OSX drive which to my surprise, was still able to access the windows drive(I can still even boot into windows again). Not going to chance it anymore and plan to install windows on my newly arrived drive today

 
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CountMike

CountMike

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Oct 31, 2015
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Yes, get a good one with metal hooks at the ends and maybe one with 90 degree end if it's better for HDD position.

 
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At0micguru

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Thanks I have mostly everything important copied onto OSX so all is backed up :) Its purely used for games and programs that cant run on OSX so nothing will be missed. I doubt i'll get to return it as it would be hitting nearly 7 years old by now


 
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