The original post: /r/datahoarder by /u/wiadrovit on 2024-06-18 14:55:31.
Hey there Guys,
I've bought a recertified EXOS X18 12TB for my NAS. The drive isn't exactly loud and it performs as I would expect, but there's one thing that I can't walk past - it acts as if it was doing something, even when completely idle.
The drive lives in my Sabrent DS-SC5B hdd enclosure which I've been using for over a year now and which I'm very satisfied with.
Video: https://imgur.com/a/o39cfd8 (it's the second one from the top - as you can see its LED is blinking in a regular manner).
I've read that EXOS drives have their own APM feature which can be disabled using seachest tool. I've managed to successfully disable both EPC as well as the power balance feature, but that didn't change anything, the LED still blinks and I can hear a regular, gentle cracking sound as if something was read/written.
The drive is mounted on my Debian installation and I've confirmed that no process is using it. What's weird is that activities stop as soon as I unmount the drive (and start again as soon as I mount it back).
In fact, this is a second drive that does the same thing. I've returned previous one to the seller as I've felt something is not right with it. Both were manufactured (or rather reassembled?) back in March 2024.
I should add that I have another EXOS drive (X16 16TB sitting in my backup device) and it doesn't act this way.
Is it normal for these drives or do you think I should return this one as well and go for something else?
It isn't that much annoying, I am just worried that if the head keeps flying all the time, the drive will wear sooner and might die prematurely.
Thanks for any advice.