hard drive randomly clicks

Discussion in 'PC hardware help' started by core2kid, Apr 24, 2011.

  1. core2kid

    core2kid Regular member

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    So here's the deal. I work with computers, fix them, etc but I've never seen a problem like this.

    I have a 1TB Seagate hard drive. One night, I heard it randomly clicking when it was downloading the Ubuntu beta via Torrent. I immediately backed up my data.

    The next day, I ran Seagates bootable hard drive diagnostics on the drive. I did the long test and it passed.

    It's about 2 days later and I'm still using the drive that clicked. It hasn't frozen yet but I did hear the click a couple times when typing this. It was burning a DVD of pictures so it seems like it clicks when the hard drive is under load.

    Is the drive dying? Should I replace it? Any ideas?
     
  2. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    external or internal drive?
     
  3. core2kid

    core2kid Regular member

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    Internal.
     
  4. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    change power connector & power cable to the drive. try a different sata port on motherboard.
     
  5. Ignatzjza

    Ignatzjza Member

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    I think you can replace it.
     
  6. core2kid

    core2kid Regular member

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    @DDP, That didn't help however it doesn't click as often, maybe once a week.

    @ lgnatzjza, I know I can replace it but it's a hassle.
     
  7. ddp

    ddp Moderator Staff Member

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    download the diagnostic software from seagate to check the drive out. try the drive in another computer to see if still does it. check seagate's faq to see what it says about your problem. i think lgnatzjza might be a spammer but not certain yet.
     
  8. core2kid

    core2kid Regular member

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    @DDP, Diagnostics passed but it still clicks occasionally. I can't really try the drive in another computer because it'll just be sitting there however I can say that it never did it in the past, I've had the drive for about a year and half.

    I'll check out Seagate forums.
     
  9. tech_slave

    tech_slave Member

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    hi ppl i was facing the same problem with my laptop's internal tht i just got 6 months ago "TOSHIBA" n i dnt know wat to do
    P.S: i put my laptop on my laps alot and give me warning "Vibration has been detected in the PC.The hard disk drive head is temporarily moved to a safe position" by toshiba's HDD protection program.
    it stopped from a week but maybe it could be more useful for me to know as other users.
    thanks in advance:))
     
  10. core2kid

    core2kid Regular member

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    Well I backed up my drive way back when I first head clicking. I continued running the drive that clicked and saved all my data on an external drive and sure enough, 2 weeks later it's constantly clicking. I can still access the drive but trying to load Windows, or copying data off it takes forever.

    Seagate support said their diagnostics utility won't catch a clicking drive, it's odd but there you go, don't use Seatools.
     
  11. ntense69

    ntense69 Member

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    try connecting it to another pc and see if it still clicks.
     
  12. core2kid

    core2kid Regular member

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    Don't need to, I know it doesn't work and I know it's not my power supply because I can have 3 drives plugged in and the only one that will click is the 1TB.
     

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