Imac hard drive making low humming type of noise?

I have an imac that is about a year old. I don't run a lot of stuff at one time usually. Internet, email. I do movie editing at times but not when this problem appears.
My wife tells me I have sensitive ears so maybe I'm blowing this out of proportion. But I've noticed for the past 3 to 4 weeks that, randomly, the imac will make a low humming noise. The noise isn't constant (i.e. one noise that keeps going). It's more of an up and down sort of noise (whir-silence-whir-silence-whir, etc.). I notice the heck out of it to the point that it's giving me a headache. Wife said she doesn't really notice it.
It hasn't done this all the time or I would have noticed it. And it doesn't do it all the time but I can't point to anything I'm doing differently to cause it.
Is this a sign that the hard drive may be going bad? I've been computing for about 20 years and I've never had a hard drive fail. Not sure what signs/sounds to look for. Imac seems to be working flawlessly otherwise.
Thanks much.

Thanks to you both for the responses.
I installed techtool, and then downloaded the current version, ran everything but surface scan (default setting is not to do this) and everything passed. I will probably do the surface scan overnight as I'm assuming that takes time. But, I guess it's a good sign that everything passed, though it leaves me wondering what all the humming is.
Incidentally, it's NOT doing it right now, so it does turn off/on.
Again, thanks.

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IMac hard drive making knocking noise

Hi everyone. I woke up my iMac this morning, and the drive was making a knocking noise. There would be three "knocks" over and over again. Behind the noise, I could hear the whine of a motor speeding up, and then dying down. It repeated in a cycle: the motor winding up then dying down while three knocks could be heard. The computer would not wake up from this.
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Hi Roger. You were right about the pricing. I could have had a nice, much larger drive installed for about $279. But there was one thing that gave me pause: The screen was starting to show random lines and artifacts - all signs of the well-documented iMac display problems. Fixing that would have been a much more expensive proposition, and I decided a four-year-old machine wasn't worth it.
So instead, I backed everything up to an external drive and ordered a new 27-inch iMac, which is great. But while waiting for my new machine, I had to keep my old one alive. I noticed that the drive had problems waking up after the machine was asleep or off for more than a few hours. When this would happen, I would boot up with the installation disk and run the Mac hardware test. The test never detected any problems with the computer, but for some reason, just running the test (in the extended, 10-minute mode) would "wake" the hard drive back up.
After a few days of this, I came up with another solution. I just turned on iTunes and left it playing all night. I turned off the sound, so I didn't hear it. With this app running, the hard drive never went completely to sleep, and the machine would wake up every morning.
When my new iMac arrived, I connected it to my old machine (after waiting a few more days for a 800- to 400- Firewire adaptor - I didn't know the two machines used different Firewire connectors!) and I used Migration Assistant to move my data.
And with that, my old iMac died! It wouldn't boot up again at all. But it was still a good machine, and I didn't want to toss it. So I ordered a new 500Gb Seagate HD online for about $45 and a set of Torx screwdrivers. Using my new iMac to watch a Youtube video on how to replace the drive in the old machine, I swapped out the drive. The old iMac is now my kitchen computer, which I use for reading news, cruising the web and listening to iTunes. It doesn't need a large drive, since it's just used for light duty. And since it stays pretty cool (I'm not using it a lot or running CPU-intensive apps on it), the display problems so far have not reappeared.
Thanks again for your help!

IMac hard drive making clicking sound (audio sample)

A couple of nights ago I realized my five year old iMac was making a sound I have never heard it make before. It is a scratching noise that I assume is coming from my internal hard drive (hard drive is stock, has never been replaced). It isn't a super loud noise, but it sounds like the noise some hard drives make when they are "searching" or "thinking". I'm wondering if my hard drive is beginning to fail, or if the problem could be something as simple as dust or dirt caught in the drive. An audio sample is in the link below, please help me diagnose my problem. Thanks!
Audio sample: http://cl.ly/073d3U1e1t280M2X0m3F

When you ran SMART Utility, were any of the sensors out of range or close to it, although not enough to trip the health measure? Just wondering. I once replaced an older hard drive that was showing error rates above normal, even when the drive was still 'verified'.
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After four months my Imac hard drive suddenly began making very audible noises. What should I do? audible noises. What should I do?

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This procedure is a diagnostic test. It will make no changes to your system, and therefore will not, in itself, solve your problem.
If you have more than one user account, you must be logged in as an administrator to carry out these instructions.
Triple-click anywhere in the line below to select it:
sudo iosnoop | sed '50q'
Copy the selected text to the Clipboard (command-C).
Launch the Terminal application in any of the following ways:
☞ Enter the first few letters of its name into a Spotlight search. Select it in the results (it should be at the top.)
☞ In the Finder, select Go ▹ Utilities from the menu bar, or press the key combination shift-command-U. The application is in the folder that opens.
☞ Open LaunchPad. Click Utilities, then Terminal in the page that opens.
Paste into the Terminal window (command-V). You'll be prompted for your login password, which won't be displayed when you type it. You may get a one-time warning not to screw up. You don't need to post the warning. If you don’t have a login password, you’ll need to set one before you can run the command. If you see a message that your username "is not in the sudoers file," then you're not logged in as an administrator.
Text will begin to scroll in the Terminal window. When it stops, copy the text output — not a screenshot — from the Terminal window into a reply to this message. Please don't post more than requested.
If any personal information, such as your name, appears in the output, edit before posting, but don’t remove the context.
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Important: There seems to be an obscure bug in OS X that sometimes causes input devices to lag or stutter after running iosnoop. If you notice this behavior, simply reboot to clear it.

I need to replace my late 2006 20" imac hard drive

here's what i have
VIN,IMAC (20-INCH LATE 2006)
running leopard 10.5.8
Hardware Overview:
Model Name: iMac
Model Identifier:    iMac5,1
Processor Name: Intel Core 2 Duo
Processor Speed: 2.16 GHz
Number Of Processors: 1
Total Number Of Cores: 2
L2 Cache: 4 MB
Memory: 3 GB
Bus Speed:    667 MHz
Boot ROM Version: IM51.0090.B09
SMC Version (system): 1.9f4
Serial Number (system): W8******VUV
WDC WD2500JS-40TGB0:
Capacity: 232.89 GB
Model:    WDC WD2500JS-40TGB0
Partition Map Type: GPT (GUID Partition Table)
S.M.A.R.T. status: Failing
Volumes: Macintosh HD:
Capacity: 232.57 GB
Available: 106.04 GB
Writable: Yes
File System: Journaled HFS+
BSD Name:    disk0s2
disk utility shows this:
my mac is still running like a champ but as the pictures above show it's time
i've found a lot of people with the same question i have on this site with answers but most links that people suggest are broken or 2 of the hard drives they've recommended are discontiued
i've got a frys electronics and best buy near by or internet if that's the best way to go about it
what exactly do i need to look for when i'm at a store or online?
what size hard drive, any? 250GB, 500GB, 750GB, 1TB
3.5" SATA
7200RPM
does cache matter?
anything else?
people's responses to: Need to replace my late 2006 imac hard drive - what should i be looking for to replace it?
1. You can use any 3.5" Sata drive, WD or Seagate would be good choices.
2. Do not use "green" drives like the WD Blue series. WD Black are fine as are Seagates.
3. The 2T green will work fine in the Intel iMac's. I always suggest using the quieter and cooler running Blue's or Green's in the iMac's.
4. Personally I have upgraded the Hard Drive in several Early Core Duo's using both 320GB and 500GB WD Cavair Blue's.
5. WD Caviar Blue or WD Caviar Green, they run cooler and quieter than the WD Black or Seagate's.
6. I'm very happy with the WD Caviar Blue that replaced my factory installed 160GB Seagate HD a few months ago.
i've found some good DIY tutorials for install
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShY8zuT-wPg&feature=player_embedded
http://www.ifixit.com/Guide/iMac+Intel+20-Inch+EMC+2105+and+2118+Hard+Drive+Repl acement/1092/1
any help will be appreciated,
sean k
<Edited by Host>

thanks for the quick reply kappy,
i plan to purchase a new imac when they are actually shipped, in stores, and i know all my handicap assisted devises will work on it
you say "Do not buy a drive designed for SATA 3 6 Gb/s interfaces as some may not work on the controller in your iMac"
at frys it breaks the groups like this:
Interface (32)
SATA/300 (17)
SATA/600 (9)
PATA/100 (6)
could you take a look at this link to frys and recommend a hard drive
http://www.frys.com/search?cat=-69564&pType=pDisplay&fq=100413%203.5-100415%2072 00
or bestbuy internal hard drives
like you said it's got a limited life and just need something to get by till the new imacs arrive

IMac hard drive failing; external TM will restore but won't then back up

It appears my early 2009 (OS X 10.9.5) hard drive is failing as it crashed 6 months ago, in November and again this week. SMART Utility says it has re-allocated 6 bad sectors and there has been 1 re-allocated event. Each Time I have successfully restored from an external hard drive with TM on it. Prior to the November fail, CCC reported an odd (unknown to me system file) corrupt file but, instead of replacing the file as perhaps I should, I decided to re-boot which it wouldn't do and hence the November TM restore.
However, despite restoring successfully the external TM will no longer make back ups. I have tried repairing it but it is greyed out and Verify says 'unable to complete.' Eventually I did get the greyed out button to work but Repair reported:
Verifying volume “Time Machine”
Checking file system
Checking Journaled HFS Plus volume.
Checking extents overflow file.
Checking catalog file.
Keys out of order
Invalid extent entry
Incorrect block count for file iNode785919y8
(It should be 13 instead of 4194317)Invalid extent entry
Missing thread record (id = 82)
Incorrect size for file iNode78591999
(It should be 4096 instead of 274877907467)
Invalid extent entry
File record has hard link chain flag (id = 78591999)
File has incorrect number of links (id = 78591999)
(It should be 1 instead of 17)
Missing thread record (id = 18)
Invalid extent entry
Invalid extent entry
Invalid extent entry
Incorrect block count for file iNo$e78592002
(It should be 4194317 instead of 13)
Missing thread record (id = 82)
Invalid extent entry
Incorrect size for file iN/de7x592003
(It should be 4096 instead of 274877907467)
Invalid extent entry
File record has hard link chain flag (id = 78592067)
File has incorrect number of links (id = 78592067)
(It should be 1 instead of 17)
Missing thread record (id = 4194322)
Invalid extent entry
Invalid extent entry
File record has hard link chain flag (id = 78592004)
File has incorrect number of links (id = 78592004)
(It should be 1 instead of 17)
Missing thread record (id = 18)
Incorrect size for file iNode78592005
(It should be 0 instead of 64)I
nvalid extent entry
Invalid extent entryIncorrect size for file iNode78592006
(It should be 0 instead of 4194304)
Invalid extent entry
Invalid extent entry
Missing thread record (id = 4194322)
Invalid extent entry
Invalid extent entry
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File has incorrect number of links (id = 82786312)
(It should be 1 instead of 17)
Missing thread record (id = 18)
Incorrect block count for file )Nod%78592009
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Invalid extent entry
Invalid extent entry
Incorrect block count for file iNode78592010
(It should be 0 instead of 4194304)
Invalid extent entry
Incorrect size for file iNode78592011
(It should be 0 instead of 274877906944)
Invalid catalog record type
The volume Time Machine could not be verified completely.
Error: This disk needs to be repaired. Click Repair Disk.
Whilst pondering this, the hard drive crashed again this week. Bizarrely I was able to restore from the very same external TM that will not let me do further back ups nor be repaired.
I wonder if there are any further checks I can do to establish if my iMac hard drive is failing? I will then decide whether to replace the hard drive - I see I can fit a WD 6TB with the jumpers set to reduce the speed to 3GB/s - or buy a new iMac.
I wonder also whether there is anything I can do to preserve my TM back ups. I realise I am being guided to re-format this external drive, but can I do that and then add back the actual existing back ups (which I would transfer to another disk before re-formatting) rather than start again from no history newly formatted?

Omdineen wrote:
It boots up to where its just my background and the Finder bar but then crashes, so I can't click anything. Anything from here or am I just screwed?
There are a few remaining options.
If you have another Mac with a FireWire port, try FireWire Target Disk Mode: http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1661
You need a FireWire cable to connect the two Macs. This will allow you to mount your failing HD on a working Mac and copy files that way.
Try Safe Mode - read about it first:
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Starting up in Safe Mode
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Lastly boot from the DVD again, repair the disk again, reinstall OS X, and keep your fingers crossed. You're squeezing the last drops of life from the thing.

Mid 2011 imac hard drive replacement

I have a mid 2011 IMac with broken 500GB hard drive. Due to Apple firmware built into the hard drive to test the temp. reading, I must use Apple brand hard drive unless I purchase OWC's temp sensor and use OEM hard drives on the market. I rather use Apple brand and can easily get one on EBay. Can I use an Apple brand hard drive specifically made for 2013 IMacs on 2011 IMac? I assume they both have same type temp. sensors and Apple firmware built in. Latter is also better as it supports SATA 3 standard with 6GB transfer rates.
Mid 2011 IMac hard drive model:
Seagate 655-1565D SATA 2
2013 IMac hard drive model:
Western Digital 655-1830A SATA 3

Mine came with this one, but I don't think you'll get one with the appropriate temp sensor from anyone other than Apple or an Apple approved service station.
27" i7 iMac (Mid 2011) refurb, OS X Yo (10.10.1), Mavs, ML & SL, G4 450 MP w/10.5 & 9.2.2

I upgraded my imac hard drive to a 2tb drive. how do i use time machine to get my computer back to normal?

i upgraded my imac hard drive to a 2tb drive. how do i use time machine to get my computer back to normal?

Thank you. I followed the faq#14 (using setup wizard from the osx install disk). Everything went just as planned until I woke up this morning and noticed there was no progress on the "transferring documents" meter. It stopped about 1/4 of the way. I can hear the computer working and the bar is somewhat animated like it is advancing but it's not.
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Ello, I changed my Imac hard drive which no longer worked. I installed a hard drive Western Digital 500 GB 7200 rpm SATA3 WD5002AALX 32M Black. Sometimes I see the hard disk in the utility on the Starter CD, but access seems very slow. By cons when I want

Hello, I changed my Imac hard drive which no longer worked. I installed a hard drive
Western Digital 500 GB 7200 rpm SATA3 WD5002AALX 32M Black. Sometimes I see the hard disk in the utility on the Starter CD, but access seems very slow. By cons when I want
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Thanks for the help
I started on the installation CD OS X 10.4.2, I used Disk Utility
to partition the disk according to the document that you have proposed. unfortunately
I have not succeeded. When I partition the disk, even if I called it Macintosh HD, it
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When I mount the disk it tells me that I must repair. When I tried to repair, I got
the following message:
Volume check failed
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1 HFS volume checked
1 volume could not be repaired because of an error.
I also had a message:
Invalid b-tree node size.
Note: The disc is new, but it has already been formatted on a computer Imac 27 inch 2011 OS X Lion.
I used a USB 2.0 to SATA cable to adjust the formatting.
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Slow iMac and Time machine won't recognize iMac hard drive

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My own response, or rather an update: I took the computer up to the Genius Bar - my hard drive is bad. They are going to try to rescue my data. For those of you reading this with a similar problem, make an appointment and go to the Apple Store if you can. Mike, my personal "genius" for this encounter, said that stressing the machine when the hard drive is going bad just risks damaging it more. If you potentially have a hardware issue, take it and let them determine what is wrong. They have tools and diagnostics most of us wouldn't know how to use if we read about them here - and they have ways of retrieving data (I hope) that most of us do not have. Please note that disk utility said my hard drive was ok, but the diagnostics they did showed that in fact my hard drive was much less than ok, but it was still "mounting" hence the disk utility reporting it was ok. It is over an hour drive for me to get to the Apple store, and I only wish I had gone sooner.

What's happening with my iMac hard drive?

I was on Disk Utility the other day, and a message was displayed on my screen. It said... "This drive has a hardware problem and cannot be repaired. Back up as much data as possible and replace the disk. See an authorised Apple dealer for more information." This message was referring to my 1TB ST31000528AS internal iMac hard drive. What is causing this problem? Does this have something to do with the fact that BOOTCAMP was installed on my computer? What should I do?
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Contact Apple or your local AASP > Apple - Support - iMac - Service FAQ

I recently had the genius bar change my imac hard drive because it crashed. For some reason Time Machine didn't back up some of my important files. Can I get my damaged hard drive back from the genius bar to see if I can access that info?

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Unfortunately, that drive is long gone, probably back to the mfr. Drives are not returned when they are exchanged. You can go by and ask them, but the chances are slim to none.

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Unfortunately, you're in the wrong forum. This is not the Elements forum.
Here's the link to the forum you want:
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Imac hard drive making low humming type of noise?

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