HDD makes grommeling noise but only on boot and on wake up

[pedrolo]

Hello,

Here is my Hard Disk Drive:
```
Seagate ATA ST1000DM003-1CH1 Sata 3 1TB bought in 2014
```

Problem

Everytime I start my computer, the HDD makes a "grumbling noise" up until it is completely loaded, so it's like 2-3 minutes. When I put the computer to sleep and wake it up, it also does the same noise (but maybe less long).

When I booted on a live CD OR when I disconnected the HDD, it made no sound.

Sometimes it makes no sound too, usually when I touched the hardware right before (so for example, I disconnected, then reconnected the HDD, and then it made no noise for the next two reboots...).

It works perfectly fine, never gotten any error, it doesn't seem slower than before (but can't be sure). And it's been a long time the HDD makes sound, like several months. The noise increased over time.


What I tried

So I tried to analyze it with Smarttools and it said 48 bad sectors (now it says 40, cf my other topic) but it didn't say it was a problem, it's still insignificant.
I tried the command line Seagate tool "Seatools" but it said all was fine with a quick test. I still have to make an indepth analysis + boot on the Seagate tool "SeatoolsDOS" and make all tests + try to fix the bad sectors but before I do that I need to save my data on a new HDD i'll buy. In fact, I bet the result will be "all is fine".
Meanwhile I ask you for your opinions on this issue.


I also asked on reddit and the simple answer was to copy all data out and change the HDD, yeah for sure... But i'd like to know if it can still be used, I mean I'm actually using it fine, only the noise is concerning

Thank you

Note: I never had a HDD break in my life.

[pepe]

Hello,

Backing up your data is a good idea regardless.
I was wondering about 2 things:
- what do you mean by disconnecting the drive? SATA cable only or power, ie. in the latter case nobody would wonder the sound is not present
- If it does not make the sound with SATA cable disconnected and power connected, there is a good chance the OS is using the disk (when connected and making the sound), perhaps for swapfile.

pepe

[pedrolo]

I disconnected the SATA cable only for my test.
In fact, everytime I touch things around in the case, there is a chance that there will be no sound on next startup, like today when I disconnected and reconnected SATA cable (while offline ofc). Weird, no?

I'm gonna try to back it up but I just ordered a new HDD and I guess I should test it with badblocks first, right?

I have set a 4/8GB SWAP partition back when I installed my linux on it. Dunno if that gives any idea.
So you're saying I should keep SATA connected but disconnect the power and see what happens? Ok I can do that tomorrow, I just didn't do it before most likelyl because the GPU is preventing me from easily disconnecting the cable rofl

[pepe]

So you're saying I should keep SATA connected but disconnect the power and see what happens?

no, drive will not emitt any noise without power
pepe

[pedrolo]

so the OS would use the HDD for swap file on boot?????

[pepe]

It was just a guess, but it is probably the OS to blame...

[pedrolo]

It was just a guess, but it is probably the OS to blame...

so HDD may be fine?

hmm hard to know what's going on :'(