Mac makes noise when I tilt it…

[Christopher99]

Hello,

I have a MacBook Pro.. About 3-4 years old. All of a sudden, when I tilt it, there's a noise coming from what sounds like the inside of it. It sounds like small BB's, or something rolling from one end to the other.. Or a clicking" might be a good description as well. What's even more strange, it only does it when it's on. If I shut it down, it doesn't make the noise, which makes me think it electronic, not physical? If I mute the speakers, it still makes the noise. I recently dropped it, but not that far or hard (landed on some dry towels on the floor.
Everything seems to be working ok… Any idea what it might be? Has anyone else had a similar problem? It doesn't sound good at all.

Thanks

 

[harryb2448]

Well I think you have explained the issue with the dropping. Sounds like it may be something to do with the hard drive, particulalry with that clisking sound. Make sure you have and keep up to date an external drive backup. Recommend a cloned backup such as CarbonCopyCloner or SuperDuper as both are bootable.

 

[lclev]

About the only thing that would click or make noises would be the hard drive - unless you have replaced or ordered an SSD which is not mechanical. The only other moving part would be a DVD drive if you have a 2011 or older model.

If it is a hard drive clicking then follow Harry's advice and backup your data and keep it current. At work if a hard drive starts clicking or gets noisy, it gets replaces.

Lisa

 

[chscag]

Like everyone above has stated, it could be the hard drive that's making the clicking. However, when you mentioned tilting the machine it made me think that it could also be the fan. Make sure you check the fan along with the hard drive, but also make certain that you are doing backups.

 

[pm-r]

And don't tilt it….

 

[pigoo3]

Without hearing the sound it's hard to judge exactly what it is. But if this is an older MacBook Pro with a "spinner" hard drive…and assuming nothing is wrong…what you may be hearing is the "Sudden Motion Sensor" technology. This protects the laptops hard drive when it experience's a sudden bump, jolt, and probably a tilt while it is in operation and spinning.

My 2011 13" MacBook Pro that I use the most frequently does this all the time when I move it.

- Nick

 

[cwa107]

I've moved your post to a more proper forum; please be sure to check the forum descriptions to find the best place to post.

By posting in the right forum you help people not only find your question faster, but it helps others looking for the same information in the future.

Thanks for understanding!

 

[Christopher99]

Well, the first think I need to do is back up everything… Carbon Copy Cloner?
Do you all think this is a good place to download it from? (installmall.com) or can you recommend a better/"safer" place to download it?

http://installmall.com/carboncopycl... cloner&utm_content=Carbon Copy Cloner (Broad)

 

[pm-r]

Well, the first think I need to do is back up everything… Carbon Copy Cloner?
Do you all think this is a good place to download it from? (installmall.com) or can you recommend a better/"safer" place to download it?
… … …

Go to and use the original source:
https://bombich.com

Then, and I'm not saying you might, you definately won't get any "extra" bonus software added to your download. ;P

 

[pigoo3]

As pm-r mentioned. As much as possible…try to download from the developer's website.

- Nick