Hi all,

I attached a new samsung 250 GB disk, but whenever the computer stops
there is a clicking sound, i googled for this problem and found the solution here

http://eric.biven.us/2008/10/09/my-h...-ubuntu-boots/

I tried what is said in this howto and found that my clicking sound has
now reduced to a very small noise, now what i want is to eliminate this sound completely, so how to do it ?

what is the method/means to know if hardware doesn't support 255 option ?
How to find out the optimal apm value for a particular hard disk ?


NB: I use ubuntu 8.04.1

You could try the method quoted in the article that you read; i.e., if it will set and hold 255, it supports 255; if it reverts to something else, it doesn't.

...and that's nice if it was a 'normal' noise to which you are just rather sensitive and potentially less good if it were a fault with the drive, in that you have now been lulled into a false sense of security. You can hear the noise, so you will have to make the call on that one.

You can't. There will always be some noise; you can only hope to make it so quiet - maybe, quieter than other noises that are around - so that it doesn't bother you anymore.

Hard drives normally don't make clicking noises, and if they do, it frequently can be the signal that it will fail. If this is a new drive, I'd suggest taking it back to the seller and exchanging it for another. Good luck with it

sulekha: I'm the author of that article you linked. Hard drives make lots of noises for lots of different reasons, not all of them are bad. Any drive that is powered up will make a small, constant noise from the plates spinning that can usually be described as a whirring noise. As the drive seeks data the heads will move causing what can sometimes be considered a slight clicking or squeaking noise. This noise should only occur when the hard drive light on your computer is on. These noises are normal for any drive.

The loud clicking that you used to hear is when the heads park. This parking is what the drive counts as a "load cycle" and will most quickly lead to your drive's death. Changing your APM setting from 254 to 255 won't the volume of any of the noises your drive makes. The difference between the two settings will only affect the amount of time between the heads of the drive parking.