HD clicking

[dbzakj]

Well it clicks once after a full day of running and does it again after an hour or so, I usually turn it off right after the first click because it scares the crap outta me. I'm not sure what it's doing or why. The computer is only a couple months old. Anyone have an idea as to what this is and what to do

[glc]

Run diagnostics on it. You can download them from the hard drive manufacturer's website.

[Cricket]

What brand hard drive are you using?

Cricket

[Tony Williams]

I bet it's a Maxtor?

[EzyStvy]

Backup while you can...

[dbzakj]

How do I find out the brand aside from opening up the case?

[Panama Red]

Look in the device manager and google the hard drive number.

[Stuey]

Goto "My Computer" right click on the hard drive and click "properties". Then click on the "hardware" tab.

It might list the manufacturer, or if not, post here what it says and I'm sure someone can recognize the brand.

[FLG]

Do you happen to have the setting in windows or in your bios to shut down your HDD after a certin amount of non use? This would cause the HDD to stop spinning and the "click" your hearing is it spinning back up again.

To check in windows, Right click desktop, go to wallpaper, and click "Power".

[dbzakj]

Originally Posted by FLG Do you happen to have the setting in windows or in your bios to shut down your HDD after a certin amount of non use?

No.
I have a Hitachi HDT722525DLA380
Which of these should I get from their site?
http://www.hitachigst.com/hdd/support/download.htm

[Nuclear Krusader]

You can additionally use SpeedFan to check the drive's integrity and S.M.A.R.T. status. Back up your data ASAP! Do NOT turn it off, as if it's indeed failing it may not survive another spin up.

You can get SpeedFan here:
http://www.almico.com

[dbzakj]

Ah speedfan scares me, I had it a while ago and whenever I turn it off, al the fans go 100% speed and stay like that untill reboot. Also happens when I am turning off the computer. I dont think the HD is failing seeing how the PC is new and all, I think that's only repetitive clicking, this thing only clicks once in a fortnight of being on too long (what I suspect).

[Nuclear Krusader]

No sir, that the PC is new doesn't mean that a component cannot fail. Au contraire, usually when a component fails it does so during the first hours/weeks of its active life. Trust me, I know for certain. If you don't want to use SpeedFan, do as G says and use the manufacturer's utilities. And back up any data you don't want to lose before you turn it off.

If the sound is like that of a marble inside a tin can, start preparing your warranty papers.

Also, check that the HDD is firmly screwed to the case and if it's in a cage that such cage is also firmly fastened to the case. Newer HDDs vibrate like bonkers, and the vibration can cause the cage to start sliding thus causing a whirring or clanking noise.

[glc]

You want the Hitachi Drive Fitness Test. Looks like 4.07 is the current version. If you have a floppy drive, Download Windows diskette creator (2,127 KB) - creates DOS bootable diskette - if not, Download a CD image (2,724 KB) - create a bootable CD* for Linux, Windows and other Operating Systems

* Requires CD-RW drive and software.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by dbzakj I have a Hitachi HDT722525DLA380

I thought so. The IBM Click of Death strikes again (Hitachi bought IBM's hard drive division a couple of years ago)...those hard drives are nicknamed "DeathStars" for a reason. Over the years I lost 6 IBM hard drives to the Click of Death and know of at least 8 other people who IBM hard drives to the same thing. I stay far away from IBM/Hitachi hard drives now.

Cricket

[glc]

Cricket, I stay away from them too, but they are a LOT better than they were then. This particular drive is a brand new SATA II drive, which is getting real good reviews. I can relate to once burned, don't do it again though. All hard drive manufacturers have gone through bad times - at least they weren't all at the same time.

That said, it still would be best to run the diags just to make sure it's healthy.