Why Does My Hard Drive Spin-Up for No Reason?

Ever Wonder why your Hard Drive Spins-Up randomly?

Try Disabling Vista Indexing Option.

Windows Vista has a service called Indexing, where it keeps track of the files on your computer and stores information about the files, including the file name, date modified, and properties like author, tags, and rating. When your hard drive spins up unexpectedly, it's the Indexer checking for new files. If you use the 'Windows Search' feature then it's helpful. Instead of looking through your entire hard disk for a file, Vista scans the index, allowing results to appear in a small fraction of the time that a search without the index would take. If you don't use the search feature, then it can be annoying. Don't confuse the 'Windows Search' with your 'Internet Browser Search'.

Windows Search, Searches your computer. Browser Searches, Search the Internet.

How do you know if you're using the 'Search' function? If you don't know, than more than likely, you're not using it.


How to Disable the Index

Solution #1:

Navigate to Start -> Computer -> under Hard Disk Drives you should see your hard drive, usually labeled Local Disk C:, if you have more than one hard disk, it will also be listed here.

Right Click Local Disk C: -> then navigate the menu to Properties.

The Properties window shows detailed information about your Drive. In the center of the window you will also see a Pie Chart of Used/Free Space on your disk.

Below the pie chart there are two check boxes, by default -> 'Index this drive for faster searching' is checked.

Uncheck it. Click Apply/OK for the changes to take effect.
Problem solved.

Note: Do Not check 'Compress this drive to save disk space'. This function is for extra hard disks, but never for your primary C:, or main drive.


Solution #2:

Navigate to Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services

Scroll Down to Windows Search. Double Click 'Windows Search'. In the new window you will see several options:

Navigate to Service Status ( 3/4 down the page)
You have the options [Start] [Stop] [Pause] [Resume]

Click 'Stop' to Stop the Service.
To prevent Windows from starting the service automatically, Navigate to StartUp Type (Mid-Page). In the dropdown box, choose Disable.

Click Apply for the changes to take effect, and your finished.


The Next time you start your computer, your Indexing Service should be disabled.

Don't be concerned if you disable Vista Indexing. If, by rare chance you do use the Search Function on your hard drive, it will just take long for Vista to find the file.

Of course if you change your mind you may always navigate back and enable the Indexer.

How to Monitior Your Computers Temperature

Here is a tool for the intermediate computer user. It monitors your computers CPU and Video Card Temperatures.

CPUID HWMonitor

A few things to keep in mind.

• Be sure you are downloading the right program, 32bit or 64bit version of CPUID HWMonitor. *
• The listed temperatures are in Centigrade [ C° ] not Fahrenheit [ F° ].
• CPU and Video Card Temperatures Run Normal at, what we non geeks would consider, high temperatures, so don't be alarmed if your CPU is running at 70°C [158°F ]. This is normal. On cooling-related websites, lower temperatures are better. As for this list, the opposite is true: The higher temperatures a CPU can withstand the better. This list is the normal operating temps.
  

* How do you know if your computer is a 32bit or 64bit computer?

Go to 'START', then 'CONTROL PANEL', then 'SYSTEM': Here you will be able to view basic information about your computer. About mid-page you will see 'system.' Here it will list; Processor Type, Memory, then 'SYSTEM TYPE' 32bit or 64bit system will be listed here.

Here is a great website for finding the normal operating temp for your CPU.
Temperatures by Chipset

Here is a summary of CPU temps [by manufacturer *]:

1. AMD Computers 65°C to 95°C
2. Intel Computers 65°C to 100°C

* How do you find out what type of chip manufacturer your computer uses?

Go to 'START', then 'CONTROL PANEL', then 'SYSTEM': Here you will be able to view basic information about your computer. About mid-page you will see 'system.' Here it will list; Processor Type, such as AMD Phenom, or Intel Core Duo

You may also download several different free system monitoring applications such as

CPUID-Z
SIW
Everest 2.20 Home Edition
Even though Everest does not support a free edition anymore, this older free version still works fine on most systems. Here is a ratings list on this older version of Everest Ratings List.

These Applications offer an incredible amount of information about your computer. Easy to understand lists, from CPU types, to processor assignment. SIW would be my choice for beginners, it's simple and it's the newest supported version of the product.


Video Card Normal Operating Temperatures a bit harder to find.

There are two manufactures of Video Cards that we are concerned about ATI and Nvidia

Here is a summary of the temps.

1. ATI (AMD) threshold is 115°C
2. Nvidia threshold is 120°C
   

To find the exact temperatures you will have to visit their websites.


Once you install CPUID HWMonitor, all you do is start it up and your information is there!

Quick and Easy.