[oneinthepipe]

I have been trying to put together a computer-based music server.  I have an older iMac Core Duo.  I am using iTunes or Play for AIFF and FLAC files, respectively.  The computer's optical output is connected to a DAC  with a Toslink cable.  I purchased a hi-rez DAC and ordered a HiFace USB adapter that should be delivered in a month or two.  I purchased a WD Caviar Black HD and a FW800/FW400/USB case.  I transfered my music files to the external HD. 

Here is my problem. 

The small fan in the FW case is incredibly noisy.  My computer and the external FW HD are in my small listening room.  This would be OK for a backup drive that was used periodically, but I can hear the fan from 10' away, and the noise is driving me crazy.   I have been trying to keep everything hard-wired.  My computer doesn't have a FW800 port, and I am using a 9 pin-to-6 pin adapter.  I think that the external hard drive is limited to a 4.5 meter cable for FW400.  A 14'7" cable will be too short to keep the external HD in another room.  Can I use an extender cable?  Does anyone know of a case that doesn't have a fan that will keep the HD from overheating?    Can I merely disconnect the fan if heat isn't a big problem?  My backup hard drives are in fan-less devices that they stick straight in to, but those are USB.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Jon L]

I would download PC Wizard software, which will let you monitor hard drive temperatures (along with processor, Mobo temp).  See what the temps are running with the fan on and off.
In this day and age, it's unacceptable to market HD enclosures with noisy fans, but they are easy enough to change out with quiet fans and/or fan controllers.

[oneinthepipe]

Thanks, Jon.

PC Wizard is for Windows machines, but I will look for something for a Mac.

[oneinthepipe]

I tried the HD in the USB docking station without any noise or noticeable heat.

I am returning the other enclosure, and I ordered this:

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/Newer%20Technology/FWU2ES2HDK/

Fanless, and the WD HD is quiet enough.

[Niteshade]

What is the model of this firewire enclosure? Do you have a link?

[oneinthepipe]

What is the model of this firewire enclosure? Do you have a link?

This is the noisy enclosure.  It is like having a little jet engine in the room.

http://eshop.macsales.com/item/EZ%20Quest/N52300S/

Their ad states, "quiet, ball-bearing fan".  I guess if they advertised that the fan sounds like a Shop-Vac, there wouldn't be many sales.

[Niteshade]

Huh- That's strange. Mine is nearly silent. Either a series resistor is necessary or a different fan. I do not recommend completely removing it. The power supply needs it as well as the drive.

[oneinthepipe]

Huh- That's strange. Mine is nearly silent. Either a series resistor is necessary or a different fan. I do not recommend completely removing it. The power supply needs it as well as the drive.

Do you have the same enclosure?  If so, I must have a dud.  Either way, it is going back.  I will use the Firewire dock until I find something better.

[bunnyma357]

I have a bunch of noisy FW800 drives, what I ended up doing is drilling a hole in the floor and putting the drives in our unfinished basement with a 6' cable into a hub and then into a 15' cable into the basement.

This is the hub I have, but I believe it's been discontinued, I'm sure there are others, but they aren't super cheap.

http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPage.process?Product_Id=193449

Jim C

[firedog]

Can't you just buy a good quality quiet fan and replace the one in the box?

If I'm missing something obvious, sorry.

[Niteshade]

I have caddies and they are quiet, but not this one. We might have different perceptions of quiet as well. I can hear mine, but it doesn't sound like a hair dryer. You will want something that is 3500RPM or less. If it's a 12V fav, try it on 9v with a voltage dropping resistor in series with it. I can't remember the values to try right now- but will attempt to look them up.

[gerald porzio]

Change the fan w/ a quiet computer model. It's the only sure fix.

[oneinthepipe]

It's not quite a hair dryer, more like a very fast whoosh, but loud enough to hear from 12' away.  I am sending the enclosure back to OWC, and I ordered a 4-interface pop-in dock.

Thank you for your suggestions.

[doctorcilantro]

unplug it

[oneinthepipe]

I sent it back to Other World Computing and purchased a firewire docking station, which seems to work well, although the drive seems to get a little warmer than in a USB docking station.