^@Carol - what brilliant combination of form and function. To say nothing of utility. Or symbolism. You deserve nomination for some sort of prize for that idea. (Possibly even a TED Talk slot to present it!)

Full points!

Hmmm, in case of a problem, which crapcleaner do you use?

Maybe I should get to work writing a "registry cleaner and deodorizer"?

Or a double disinfectant...combo anti-virus and germ killer?

at the risk of being on topic, have you considered adding some sound deadening to the case as well?

I'd try sitting the case on something (a piece of high density foam or polystyrene sheet, or even corrugated cardboard) and probably lining the sides as well (they make great drums!!)

I'd try sitting the case on something (a piece of high density foam or polystyrene sheet, or even corrugated cardboard) and probably lining the sides as well (they make great drums!!)

Better yet, make up some kind of plinth from layers of different materials. +1 on lining the sides!

at the risk of being on topic, have you considered adding some sound deadening to the case as well?

I'd try sitting the case on something (a piece of high density foam or polystyrene sheet, or even corrugated cardboard) and probably lining the sides as well (they make great drums!!)

Good ideas but all this is happening inside an Antec case that has padded sides already. I've also tried putting the case on top of some padding but the machine is so heavy (around 3 stone, or 20 kg) that there isn't anything sufficient to put under it - maybe a bed matress (we can now discuss bed/pc mods to go with the toilet mods).

Anyway, the annoying humming noise has gone - definitely. It just isn't a silent machine overall at the moment so, when the extension cables arrive, I will be putting the machine in the other room (neighbour's toilet habits permitting).

For anyone experiencing a similar annoying hard drive hum, this is the material I've used: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeping_pad



I've cut several small rectangles out from the foam so that each hard drive rests on four of these layers. This is something I shall do in future (as it works better than anything else so far) - but it requires a more secure way of restraining the drives. It's fine whilst the machine is stationary, but if I were to forget about the hd foam bed setup I could easily have hard drives smashing around inside the case when I try to carry it somewhere (I've stuck a post-it note to the side of the case to remind me about the unstable contents - yes, I am likely to forget otherwise).

Good point. But I did leave out a few details which, I think, mean there's nothing for me to worry about.

1. The hard drives are still in their Antec metal trays (which have rubber grommet anti-vibration things for the screws, but obviously don't work to reduce the annoying hum). These metal trays are resting on the foam pads - so there is a gap between pad and hard drive.

2. Both hard drives are directly behind a fan at the front of the case.

Either way, the insulation issue is worth remembering, i.e. now I won't be tempted to do something stupid and wrap the drives in lots of foam padding to try and wedge them into the case.

I saw one time a person who used rubber bands (the big, postal kind). He used two of those, twisted around the drive and the twisted ends were put through chassis openings in the 5,25" bays. The drives were suspended, creating a very silent PC.

Did that in a server once, and it worked very well. I'd be a bit cautious about it today, though, since rubber tends to wear out. I've been considering repeating the success, but using stuff like this instead:
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Also, after getting a work laptop, I hardly use my personal laptop anymore... and I put a 120gig SSD in that. So I'm also considering replacing my 2x74gig raptor stripe with that - then I'd be entirely free from mechanical disks in my workstation.

I'd also decided to avoid rubber bands as they will perish - but I did try and find those elasticated hooks on eBay, tiny ones that is.

Any idea where I can get them from, f0dder? Or anyone?

Any idea where I can get them from, f0dder? Or anyone?

Around here they're usually used to strap luggage to bicycles, so I figured a well-sized bicycle shop is where I'd look first

Just had another thought: maybe surgical tubing would be a good alternative to the rubber bands idea.

 

You can do a lot with that.

One of my machines has a case in which the drive bays do suspend the drives in heavy, black-rubber straps.
I don't suppose you want to change case at this point 

I've ordered the mini hungers and the surgical tubing so I'll see what works best. The Antec case I'm using has sliding trays to put he drives in, so I think it will be easy to rig up some kind of hard drive hammock.

At  least you won't put on weight!

Thanks, Carol. I'll see what the bungee cord and the surgical tubing is like first (as they are already ordered), if they are rubbish then I'll try the elestic chord.

I'm sure I deserve it (in your sick and twisted mind).

Mmmm.