Strange HDD noise on Linux but not Windows

I have Windows 11 and Linux Mint dual boot on my notebook. When I use Windows, HDD (WDC WD10JPVX-22JC3T0) works without much noise (almost silently). However, when I use Linux Mint and Ubuntu, HDD makes strange noises while read and write operations.

HDD is kinda old (2013) but still OK. It passes all tests (bad block, SMART, etc.) without any error.

Since I installed Ubuntu 16.4 till now that I have Linux Mint 20.2 this noise was there on these Linux distributions. Now that I installed a SSD and moved HDD into a Caddy, the noise is heard a little louder and sometimes get annoying.

What is the cause of this noise? Is there any way to make it work silently just like Windows?

Solution 1:

You probably have Linux on the outer platters. Typically - for a 2TB HDD - Windows would occupy the first 1TB and Linux the later 1TB. The hdd has platters arranged around the center. It simply means that one of the moving parts are worn out and the seek is causing the noise. When the seek accesses the inner platters, the noise is less and it gets worse for the outer platters.

I would get another HDD and make a quick backup. A good option would be to replace your HDD with a new one and use the old one for data storage where it will have occasional use.