My Drive I Clicking

g4m3rof1337

g4m3rof1337

Active Member
I'm using a 500G Seagate Barracuda, I've had it for maybe less than a year, as my main drive. It wasn't until about 20 minutes ago I started to hear a steady clicking noise coming from it.

I'd like to know what to do, are there scans I can run to find out what's happening, but not risk losing my data? Or should I just go buy a 1TB drive for a backup?





Thanks.
 
g4m3rof1337 said:
I'm using a 500G Seagate Barracuda, I've had it for maybe less than a year, as my main drive. It wasn't until about 20 minutes ago I started to hear a steady clicking noise coming from it.

I'd like to know what to do, are there scans I can run to find out what's happening, but not risk losing my data? Or should I just go buy a 1TB drive for a backup?





Thanks.
Click to expand...

Is the S.M.A.R.T. option enable under BIOS. I believe that tells you if an error is indeed happening inside the drive. I would also run chkdsk (I've heard some people losing the whole drive from doing this to a failing drive, so proceed with caution).

You could also test it by reading and writing data to the HDD. For instance copying files, moving files, etc. Or simply by booting up Windows. On my Linux HDD I had ticking in the beginning and now it works fine.

If it helps, Office Depot has a 1TB for $99.99 :D
 
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g4m3rof1337 said:
Well, will it last until tomorrow? Should I shut it down until then?
Click to expand...

I've never had a drive fail on me (thankfully). I do know that the more use they get when damaged the worst it gets. I mean if you have the money I would definitely get a new HDD just to be safe (if your data on the failing drive is important). Memory is cheap enough for you to get a nice HDD from a reputable company like Seagate or Western Digital.

I just want to stress again how I've heard mixed reviews on running CHKDSK on a failing drive.

I would at least thumb drive your important data, and start to plan the next move. Clicking is not good, especially if it's loud enough to be noticeable.
 
Well I read a review on the drive, and it failed for someone after 11 months, so..


I'll shut it down, then pick up a 1TB tomorrow.




Thanks.
 
g4m3rof1337 said:
Well I read a review on the drive, and it failed for someone after 11 months, so..


I'll shut it down, then pick up a 1TB tomorrow.




Thanks.
Click to expand...

Sounds good. Once you get all your data situated and set on the new HDD you might be able to fix the drive. Maybe the sectors can be repaired. But you are taking the smarter step :D
 
JTM said:
Sounds good. Once you get all your data situated and set on the new HDD you might be able to fix the drive. Maybe the sectors can be repaired. But you are taking the smarter step :D
Click to expand...

Well, I'm transferring my most important data to a backup 80GB.



Thanks guys.
 
There is a program called HD Tune, its free and it can tell you your S.M.A.R.T status without having to go into the BIOS. Also it can scan for damaged sectors on a hard disk drive etc
 
I just did a quick error scan in HD Tune, and nothing came up, all the blocks were green. I'm running a normal one now.

What else could be causing the clicking? And do all types of clicking always mean something is wrong or bad is about to happen?


And everything seems to be normal, I just got done playing some GTA IV and stuff.


Thanks.
 
I tried recording the sound, but it appears to be dying down. It's not as repetitive as it was earlier. I listened to the samples at this site, http://www.crashed-hard-drive.com/hard-drive-crash-sounds/clicking-hard-drives.htm and they don't sound similar, so..


I've also been running the long HD Tune scan for about 55 minutes, and it's all green so far.


Edit:

Well, after doing some research, I found out fans tend to click when their bearings are about to give out, and my HDD is in a fan bay module. So I waited until I heard the sound, stopped the fan, didn't hear the noise, started it, and heard the noise.


I'm still going to invest in a 1TB hard drive.
 
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You are could have also just hearing the parts of the drive moving. Since you've heard what the bad clicks sound like you know what to listen for now.
 
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