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Hard Drive Clicking

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by kender_girl

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I have an almost new PC (purchased in February 2001). Lately I've noticed that the hard drive (30GB Matrox) will at times make a "clicking" noise. One time this happened while I was playing an online game, it almost seemed like it was trying to process the video images. I heard the clicking and then the PC froze. I haven't had it freeze again, but it will stop processing and click away and then everything is back to normal. It always occurs when it is processing data of some kind, though not always graphics).
I've just done a fresh backup (just in case), does anyone have any idea what this might be? The hard drive can't be failing already?? I also did a defrag the other day thinking that might be it. It was fragmented, but the problem is still occuring.

Thanks!!
Christina

7 replies

by ann777

The clicking noise is bothersome... what makes it even more of a problem is that the computer "froze."

I recommend that you do a complete scandisk with fix errors checked, and check for errors. If you get errors, I would replace that HDD as soon as possible, hopefully it's still under warranty. If you don't get errors, I'd seriously consider replacing that hdd anyway.

by albert franco ii

In the bad old days clicking in a hard drive meant that the drive was checking its head position by banging itself against a stop.

Newer drives should never need to do this! If it's clicking, it is almost surely ready to become a very big headache!

Copy your data and send the drive back. If it was bought in Feb 2001 it is most definitely under warranty. Change it now before the warranty runs out!

by paul d. masley

Christina:

You are definately on your way to a hard drive crash/failure. I suggest that you immediately backup your data, contact the manufacturer and see if they can rush you a new drive and then make the swap.

When your new drive arrives,you might as well install a fresh copy of your o/s and programs. After this install, hook the old drive up as a slave and move your files. Then format the old drive, FDISK athe old drive, removing any partitions, then repartition the drive using different sizes than you used before. This will not completely erase the drive, but will definately make harder for anybody to retrieve your info. Remove the old drive and send it back.

Good luck with Matrox.

Paul.

by kender_girl

Thanks Paul. I did a back up last night I'll be digging out the warranty this evening. Your procedure for getting this done efficiently was a great help.

Christina

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