External Vantec SATA drive buzzing problem

[loomis2]

I have a hard time explaining the problem so I made a video showing it. I hope it is helpful for anyone who might have some idea what is going on. External HD computer question video

As a side note, this is a somewhat new system build. I just put in a new Mobo, processor, video card and ram:

AMD HDZ720WFGIBOX Phenom II X3 720 Black Edition 2.8Ghz Socket AM3 95W 2.80 GHz Desktop Processor

GIGABYTE GA-MA790XT-UD4P AMD 790X AM3 Phenom II Socket AM3 5200 MT/s PC3-10600 (DDR3-1333) ATX Motherboard

OCZ OCZ3P16004GK 4GB PC3-12800+ (DDR3-1600+) DDR3 Memory

# SAPPHIRE 100245HDMI Radeon HD 4850 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready CrossFire Supported Video Card

The external HD is a Western Digital 750gb SATA drive connected by usb since I don't keep it on all the time and when I turn it off while connected by eSata it disappears from My Computer and doesn't come back up, but that is a separate problem. For now I just want to know WHAT IS UP WITH THE BUZZING???

If you need any more system info let me know and I'll do my best to provide it. I really hope this is the type of forum to post something like this. If not I apologize!

 

[Elixer]

That is quite a strange sound. I would almost say it sounds like seeking from a old floppy drive or the optical drive...
It isn't the vantec enclosure making the noise, it is your main system right?
What PSU you got?

Did you open up your main rig, and try to find where that noise is coming from?

Are you saying you have both eSATA & USB connected at the same time? Which OS is this? Normally, you should always select the drive from the 'safely remove hardware' , and THEN turn the external unit off...

For the other issue, it sounds like SATA hot plugging isn't working on your system?

 

[loomis2]

Thanks for the quick response. Yes, it does sound like the 3.5" drive, or maybe the DVD RW drive making the sound, but why? It is definitely NOT the Vantec case making the sound, but the sound only happens when I turn on/off the Vantec.

I had the Vantec connected by eSata but the hot plugging wouldn't work like you said so I unplugged the eSata cable and went with USB only. I would LIKE to get the eSata hot plug working like it should, but I want this weird buzzing problem fixed first. One gremlin at a time, right?

I am running Windows XP, Media Center Edition, Version 2002, Service Pack 2. Like I said, I just swapped out the MB, processor, ram, video card and PSU, and the hot plug didn't work with the old setup either but there was NO buzzing. I listed the other components above, but the PSU is Rosewill Green Series RG530-2 530W Continuous @40°C, 80 PLUS Certified,ATX12V v2.3 & EPS12V v2.91, SLI Ready CrossFire Ready,Active PFC Power Supply.

Thanks again for the reply. I really want to get this figured out since it is driving me crazy!

 

[Elixer]

Well, I never used that PSU before, so I have no idea of the quality.

I would start with unplugging things one by one, and see if it stops, to see if you can narrow does the issue. (As in, disconnect the power cable from the optical drive and floppy drive (if you have one), and only have the OS HD active, then power cycle the external, then continue on. Try your old video card, and things like that)

Sorry, not much help.

 

[Old Hippie]

The eSATA hot swap issue ( not recognizing your external) is probably because the SATA drivers weren't loaded and AHCI (hot swap) enabled when XP was installed.

The drivers weren't included 'till Vista and needed to be installed manually or slipstreamed into the install disk.

The noise is just plain weird!

 

[loomis2]

Thanks guys, and Old Hippie, is it possible to get the external drive hot-swappable enabled now or is it too late and I would have to wipe it and start over? If I plug it in through eSata and turn on the drive and computer then it shows up like it should, but if I turn it off and on again while the computer is running then it disappears from My Computer and I can;t get it back without restarting the system, or switching to usb. I hate using USB for the drive when I could be getting much faster transfer rates through eSata so if you could point me in the right direction that would be great!

Elixer, I'll try your suggestion as well. The PSU seems to be fine, you can look it up on Newegg if you care to see more of it. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16817182160 Any other suggestions, just fire them my way!

 

[Old Hippie]

Sorry, I'm not familiar enough with AMD/ATI chipsets to recommend any other procedure than a reinstall.