MBP making noises

my MBP recently started making noises that sound like it is working very hard, when only a few basic programs such as iChat and Safari are open. When this happens, it also seems to run slower for a little bit. The noise comes from the lower left side of the computer, to the left of the trackpad. It happens when I do simple things, like click on a link. Again, it sounds as if it is thinking/working very hard. i've looked and i have lots of storage space left.
what could this be?

The hard drive is in this area, so the first thing you need to do is to is to back up everything of importance and keep it backed up, just in case the hard drive is going south.
Open Disk Utility (in your Utilities folder in Applications) and click on you hard drive by brand name and on the First Aid Tab. Verify and repair if necessary both permissions and the start up disk. If the start up disk needs repair, you will have to boot off of your Leopard install disc and navigate to the Disk Utility on the disc and repair until there is nothing left to repair.
If you get anything other than SMART status verified, please post back.
If SMART status is not verified, run the Apple Hardware Test and see if you get an error code. If you do, please post back with that.
Noise from a hard drive is always something to be concerned about. If you are under warranty, you need to contact Apple and get a case number, especially if your warranty is close to an end. It may turn out there isn't a problem, but until you know that for sure, it's best to proceed as if the hard drive is about to die.
Good luck!

Similar Messages

  • MBP running slowly, making noise

    Hi,
    Over the last few weeks I've noticed that my MacBook Pro is running considerably more slowly than usual, that it's making noises (the kind of noise that computers make when they're working really hard...I don't know how else to describe it) a lot of the time, even when i have only safari running, and that safari has been "unexpectedly shutting down" fairly often.
    additionally, applications take far longer than usual to quit when i press apple-Q, with the little multi-colored pinwheel spinning for about 5-10 seconds before the app quits. i also get the little pinwheel fairly often just when doing everyday tasks.
    any ideas on what's wrong or what i can do to fix this?
    thanks!

    It sounds like your hard drive may be failing. I had a similar experience with an older powerbook a few years back. The HD was making some very loud crunching noises, and the apps would take forever to load. When I tried to Disk Utility to fix it, it didn't do the trick but kept telling me there were some errors on the drive.
    With regards to your disk utility being grayed out - were you booting off the leopard DVD? That's the only way you can have the utility fix your boot drive, hence why it may be grayed out at the time you tried it. Try booting off the DVD that came with leopard and then selecting the Disk Utility from one of the pull-down menus.
    I'd still talk to apple support ( either the store or via a phone call ) and tell them what is happening. They will probably have you send the machine in and do a replacement of your HD. Make sure you backup before you send out as if they replace the drive, they will not copy your data for you.
    Hope that helps!
    Cheers

  • Mac book pro making noise,we deleted most programs noise persists

    Mac book pro has been making noise for some time,we deleted many programs that might affect it.Still problematic.Thoughts?

    Noise makers on a MBP are the fan(s), hard drive and DVD drive.  Run an Apple hardware test and see if it picks up any problems:
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ht1509
    Open the MBP and see if there is and dirt or debris inside, particularly in the fans.  If so, clean it out.
    If no success on the afore mentioned, make an appointment at an Apple store genius bar for a free evaluation.
    Ciao.

  • Printer keeps coming on and off and making noises by itself

    I can go for days without using the HP LaserJet Pro 100 color MFP M175nw but it keeps making noises.  
    If its supposed to save energy, why is it doing anything at all until I click "print" ???????

    Thank you I was using the LCD.  However, I have the IP address open now, I'm under System/Print Quality and the choices are:
    After Power On - Off thru 60 mins
    Calibration Timing - Off thru 168 hrs
    Calibrate Now - check box
    Maybe, when they gave me new Firmware it chaned the options?
    Thanks for the heads up about the IP route because that's a lot better than the LCD way.

  • Fan issue making noise and heating issue

    Hi,
         My laptop fan is making noise like a car engine.Earliar i did nott realize it but since winters are here i can hear it clearly coz ciealing fan is not under use now.Also my laptop is quite heated below.I have read that dust can accumulate in vents but i cant see any.Also my previous laptop got killed becoz of this same issue.Hp should do something about it.Can a layman like me open the dv-4 version and clean the fan? It is out of warranty now and i dont want to spend on shop.But i saw a video HP laptops are complicated to open....and close.Watevr other advice u r most welcome to give regarding yhis issue.
    thanks

    HP notebooks tend to run hot & thermal control is minimal effort in design & materials.
    You can try clening with compressed air or a hoover perhaps but if looks clean & air sems to be flowing I expect it not the main issue.
    You may also want to check running processes & CPU use as issues here & viruses can causes CPU load thus heat.
    Also review notebook placed so vents are not blocked/restricted.
    Use software such as HWinfo to review the actual temps of CPU GPU etc as helps see how much of an issue you really have.
    HP laptops can be improved with thermal shims, ceramique paste, housing vent modifications & in extreme cases secondary case venting 25>30mm fan.
    Not easy to do without some experience.
    Like my post? Click Kudos (thumb+) to show appreciation.

  • Laptop's Fan Making noise when i use flash

    I am passionate about playing games online, Not that i care about whether or not my computer gets cracked or not, but i am curious now, I want to know why fan of my laptop start making noises and run faster then usual whenever i play games for more than half an hour. I mostly like [various links removed by moderator] and many others.  I just want to know why it happens plus if it can be fixed that would be great.

    I've never heard anything from my trackpad save 'clicks' - and I don't recall anyone else coming here with that problem, either.
    Since it sounds (no pun intended) like a hardware problem, if I were you I would take advantage of your remaining warranty and take the machine to your local Apple Store or an AASP and have them take a look at it. Could be a swollen battery, a bad trackpad, whatever.
    Good luck,
    Clinton

  • Superdrive making noises

    My superdrive has started making noises as if it's ejecting a disc. The problem is that there's no disc in. I'm just browsing online and it will randomly make this noise. Anyone have any ideas on what the issue could be? Thanks in advance for any help.

    I have also been having this problem recently. It's notable since I've had the machine for about a year and the noise has only appeared in the past couple weeks (I think only since I updated to Snow Leopard). I would also appreciate any suggestions.

  • My IMac just started making noise like a disc is running (there is no disc in it) . Is that normal?

    My IMac just started making noise - it almost soundslike a disc running - but there isno disc in .  Is this normal?

    Probably the fans running.
    Make sure the air vents are clear.
    (bottom grille and top rear slots)

  • I have an iMac 21.5" with a 2.5 ghz intel core i5 processor and 4gb ram and running os x lion. The computer is making noise like trrrrrrrrr!!! What should i do to stop the disturbing noise?

    I have an iMac 21.5" with a 2.5 ghz intel core i5 processor and 4gb ram and running os x lion. The computer is making noise like trrrrrrrrr!!! What should i do to stop the disturbing noise?

    Your iMac should be almost silent.
    Make an appointment with your Authorized Apple Service Provider.

  • IMac from 2009. Suddenly making noise like a loud fan.

    My IMac from 2009 is suddenly making noise like a very loud fan, or a little like a vacuum cleaner. The sound seems to becoming from the IMac, not my speakers.  Could this be from any of the wires or connections plugged into it?  Restarting the computer did not stop this. I think this happened once before a long time ago. Anything I can do?

    Before I saw Mike Sombrio's post:
    I restarted the IMac without unplugging the power cord, but the noise was still there when the IMac came back on.  Then I repeated this about 10 minutes later, (restarting the computer without unplugging the power cord). This time the noise was no longer there. I don't know what's going on. I hope this problem does not return. Any explanations? Is this a sign that my IMac is having serious problems? Any advice?

  • MacBook optical drive has started making noises at wake and restart

    This MacBook is about 5 months old and the optical drive has just started making noises at wake from sleep, or at restart. There is no disc loaded in the drive, but the noise is as though a disc has been inserted in the drive and it is attempting to read it. This goes on for about 5 to 10 seconds, then stops.
    The optical drive seems to work fine, reads CDs and DVDs no problem. This isn't a glaring issue, I'm just trying to determine if it is the precursor to a mechanical problem, or is possibly some sort of software glitch. Thanks for help if this rings a bell with anyone.

    I posted this to a different thread earlier today. I will add that most of the experience I've had with this issue is in Tiger or Leopard. I don't think I've seen it yet with Snow Leopard. My instincts tell me it is more of a hardware issue than a software/OS issue. (Just my $0.02.)
    I have seen this many times. (I support 100+ Mac Laptops, most are 13" MacBooks.)
    Just to clarify, MacBook optical drives do normally make some quiet noises when waking from sleep.
    When there is a CD or DVD in the drive, there are some soft sounds, and then you hear the disc spin up. When there is not a disc in the drive you hear a different sound. I assume it is relating to checking for a disc in the drive. To me, it sounds exactly the same as the quiet sounds you hear right before the "Good Chime" when you power up.
    BUT, sometimes MacBooks make a much louder noise, that is similar the sound you hear when you insert or eject a CD or DVD, only sort of "doubled". Usually you hear it when waking from sleep, but I have also experienced it happen intermittently when the MacBook is turned on, under normal use, or not being used (but not sleeping or waking from sleep).
    In the past, I have sometime cured it with a reset of the SMC and PRAM. This has not always worked. I have also seen it disappear after inserting a disc into the drive. Most of the time, the sound has returned some time later. I have called Apple on this issue several times, and sent the MacBook in for repair. My memory is that they have replaced the optical drive under AppleCare.
    I will add that I have recently seen this Knowledge Base Article (below), with instructions for "resetting" the optical drive on a MacBook Pro, but it did work for me on a MacBook 13". Insert a disc halfway, take it back out, then put it in all the way.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/TS2839
    Past experience tells me not to be surprised if the noise resurfaces. My advice is call Apple if you have AppleCare, or if the MacBook is under one year old.
    Good Luck.

  • My iMac 27" screen is black and will not start. The computer is making noise and beeps when i use the keyboard but I can't see anything. I have rebooted with no success

    My iMac 27" screen is black and will not start. The computer is making noise and beeps when i use the keyboard but I can't see anything. I have rebooted with no success

    Have a look at these. And please say what OS you have.
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1411
    http://support.apple.com/kb/ts1367

  • Laserjet printer's making noise

    printer making noise on scanning something otherwise everythig if fine..it seems like the belt is broken and moving acrooss screen while scanning something what to do

    Hi @kishan899,
    Thank you for visiting the HP Support Forums! I see you are having problems with your HP Laserjet, to better assist you can you please let me know the Exact model of HP Laserjet you are using? 
    I hope to hear from you soon.
    HevnLgh
    I work on behalf of HP
    Please click “Accept as Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution.
    Click the “Kudos Thumbs Up" to the left of the reply button to say “Thanks” for helping!

  • Why is MACBook Pro making noises that I can't identify?

    Why is MACBook Pro making noises that I can't identify?

    It would help if you could describe the noise...does it sound like a clicking, or rubbing, or hum?  Where does it sound like it is originating?  When does it make the sound?

  • IBook suddenly started making noise

    Hello!
    My iBook G3 suddenly started making noise. When you dont do anything on it, its quiet, but when you open apps, write stuff to disk, its loud. How can I avoid this?
    Matt

    It sounds like you may be having some hard drive issues.
    Try booting into Safe Mode. This will take quite awhile longer than a normal startup because it does a file check and repair of the hard disk.
    You will see your normal desktop. Once completely started up in Safe Mode, restart normally, and go to Applications > Utilities > Disk Utility. Click on the top hard drive icon in the left sidebar and note the S.M.A.R.T. status at the bottom right of the pane. What does it say? If it says "Verified," you should be in good shape, as far as the hard drive is concerned, at least.
    Select the named boot volume in the left sidebar, ("Macintosh HD" unless you've renamed it). What is the hard drive capacity and how much space remains available on it? Repair permissions on it.
    See if a little hard drive maintenance helps things out.

Maybe you are looking for