HDD clicks off, then on.. Windows not affected?

[PJB3589]

Hey all,

For the second time in 2 days, I have heard one or both of my hard drives click off and start slowing down only to click back on within a second or two. The HDD Activity light stays lit for about 30 seconds after this occurs, yet Windows doesn't lock up. I have a relatively new 120GB Western Digital drive which has Windows and all my files on it and a three year old 40GB Western Digital drive which has Linux on it.

Two questions: First, is this a sign that one of the drives is starting to go bad on me or is it something else? Second, is there any way to know for sure which drive is dying besides unplugging each one individually and seeing if I still hear one shutting off? I'm inclined to think that the 40GB one would be the one going bad since Windows doesn't seem to be affected when one of the drives clicks off.

Sorry if that wasn't too clear..

Thanks,
-Pat

[blue60007]

My Hitatchi Deathst- er Deskstar will do this to. When I first heard it happend a long time ago it scared me because I didn't have my work saved! But the hard drive came back on and worked fine. It does it to me occasionally

[kram 2.0]

If the hard drive light stays on a few seconds after the hard drive starts clikcing, chances are it is THAT hard drive which is clicking - the one connected to the front panel HDD light. At the core, when you hear clicking, backup your data immediately - it is a very strong sign that the drive is faltering. Western Digital OEM HDDs have a three year warranty - I would recommend you RMA the drive.

kram

[Cricket]

What do you mean you hear the drive "click off"? Is it just one click or is it a constant clicking until the hard drive stops? Is the click loud? And does this happen randomly or are you doing something specific each time?

And your computer doesn't freeze up at all?

Do you have the hard drives set to turn off after a period of inactivity in Power Management?

Have you tested the hard drives with the Western Digital diagnostic software yet? And are either of these the Special Edition (JB) hard drives with the 8MB cache?

Also make sure the power cable is fully inserted and secure in the hard drive.

Cricket

[blue60007]

At least on mine the "click off" is the same sound as you hear when the system shuts down and the hard drive motor switches off, and the platters will start to slow down, but then the motor immediately comes back on and all is fine.

[PJB3589]

Originally Posted by Cricket What do you mean you hear the drive "click off"? Is it just one click or is it a constant clicking until the hard drive stops? Is the click loud? And does this happen randomly or are you doing something specific each time? And your computer doesn't freeze up at all? Do you have the hard drives set to turn off after a period of inactivity in Power Management? Have you tested the hard drives with the Western Digital diagnostic software yet? And are either of these the Special Edition (JB) hard drives with the 8MB cache? Also make sure the power cable is fully inserted and secure in the hard drive. Cricket

Sorry for my delayed reply.. I haven't been receiving email notifications. Anyway, by click off, I mean that it sounds like it does when you shut down your computer. The hard drive "clicks" and then you hear it start slowing down, and then you hear another click within like 1-2 seconds and it starts coming up to speed again. It happens randomly.. I could be playing a game, browsing the Web, etc, and I'll hear it. My computer doesn't lock up or anything.. it just continues on like nothing happened which leads me to think that the 3 year old drive which has Linux on it is the one that is dying on me. My 120GB is one of the special edition 8MB cache. I ran the WD Diagnositcs, it reported that both drives "passed".

[glc]

It's possible you have a marginal power supply, or a loose power connector on the drive. Try reseating the power connectors. Clicking can also be caused by file corruption.