Another vibrating e6400

Hi all, I just received my e6400 yesterday and I love everything about it. However, the entire computer vibrates slightly. The vibration is definitely coming from the hard drive. I called Dell tech support and based on the description I gave them they told me to just send the computer back for a replacement. I would like to keep this specific computer and just replace the HDD (I like the LG screen and I don't want to get stuck with a different make/model). I'm going to call customer service on monday to see if I can get a replacement drive.

I currently have a 160GB Momentus 7200.3 st9160411asg, it doesn't make any noise, it just vibrates. I tried reducing the vibration by re-seating the drive and applying some electrical tape. I also turned on the quite mode in BIOS. Neither of these worked.

I never had this problem in other laptops with solid HDD mounts. I don't want to feel any vibration from the HDD under normal use. Is this possible with the e6400 considering the poor HDD bay design? I did read that some members had less vibration with other drives. I guess there are several ways to address this problem.

1. Request a specific model of 7200rpm drive from Dell that has the least chance of vibrating (can I do that?)

2. Downgrade to a 5400rpm drive and hope that it doesn't vibrate. (it would help if I could request specific model here)

3. Upgrade to an SSD, problem solved. (However I fail to see why I should have to spend an additional $255 and loss capacity just to get a drive that does not vibrate, especially in a high end computer)

4. Get the cheapest drive from Dell and buy an aftermarket drive HDD or SSD.

5. Send the E6400 back and buy a T400 which will more than likely not have a vibrating drive.

After typing all this out I just realized that the Dell tech may want me to send back the whole computer because there may be something wrong with the frame that allows the vibration to propagate. Any opinions on this. Thanks.

 

You have obviously worked through all the HDD related threads and suggestions and tried fixes such as electrical tape.

Does the computer sit properly on a table or has it got a wobble which helps the vibration to propagate? If it sits OK then I don't think there is a chassis problem.

Try the acoustic management option in the BIOS. This may reduce the vibration. There is also the firmware update for this Seagate HDD. I doubt that Dell has applied this at the factory.

My personal preference is to buy one of the cheaper HDD options and then install a HDD of my own choice. This means that I always have the original factory installation to reclone and a bootable HDD that I can put back in should I get software problems.

The 2 platter 500GB 5400rpm HDDs have very good performance and use a little less power.

John

 

It's a Seagate thingy. I've handled a E6400 with the Seagate drive and had the same issue. Swapped it out for a WD Scorpio Black and the vibration went away.

 

My first E6400 came with a 7200 rpm 250 Gb WD drive and vibrated a lot (and also had a bent chassis). The replacement came with a 7200 rpm 250 Gb Fujitsu and the vibration is basically undetectable.

I can hear the drive (it sounds like a continuous fan, not clicking), but it's not particularly annoying, and definitely much less so than the original.

What you can do is to get Dell to ship a a replacement, swap the drives and send back the new machine if the screen isn't right.

 

When did you order your E6400 which came with a WD 7200rpm? I just ordered my second E6400 and decided to go with a 5400rpm drive so I could swap it out because I didn't manage to find anyone with a WD 7200rpm drive in a Latitude E yet...

 

I ordered the one with WD the in the second week of Dec. Then they sent me a replacement Fujitsu-based one a couple of days before Xmas.

My plan was to go with 5400 is the second drive didn't work out, but it seems fine and no slower than the WD.

 

My Latitude E6400 also vibrates. This makes additional noise when it is put on a desk, especially when I am typing with my palms putting on the machine. I have to put some tissue beneath to absorb the vibration and reduce the noise...

Is there any suggestions about this problem? Will it be better if I change a 5400 rpm hard disk? The present hard disk is a 7200 rpm one.

 

so it seems that people with 7200rpm's HDD that are not seagate don't have this problem. can someone confirm it's definitely a seagate thing?

how do I know from my order which brand of HDD I am getting? I haven't got the computer yet.

 

I had a vibrating WD 7200 rpm. The Fujitsu 7200 rpm is much better.

 

TWY reported that his WD didn't vibrate, so I am not sure it's due to the HDD