Hard drive making clicking noises

[invidia]

I bought a WD 80gig HD about 5 months ago. Specifically, this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16822144122

Just recently, it has been making loud clicking noises whenever I download large files from the web. Usually, it would lag my computer down greatly for a minute or I would get a BSOD about machine_check exception error. (This is during downloads, not when it's done)

Luckily, I've backed up all my important files and got a new hard drive. It's been about 3.5 weeks and it has yet to physically crash. I use my computer daily and it seems fine whenever I don't download stuff. Although it does occasionally make weird noises whenever I play a game.

 

[HermDogg]

Uh, there's not really a question there, but rest assured it will crash. Mine clicked for a few months before it finally just died one day without warning. I would suggest replacing it before it has a chance to.

 

[scott0482]

Originally posted by: HermDogg
Uh, there's not really a question there, but rest assured it will crash. Mine clicked for a few months before it finally just died one day without warning. I would suggest replacing it before it has a chance to.

It clicked, didn't it? I take that as a warning.

Back your stuff up.. Send that drive in under warranty and wait 4 months to get a replacement..

also, newegg is great and all.. but they don't adequately pack their hard drives for shipping.. of course i am just repeating what i have read elsewhere.. but an antistatic bag and bubble wrap is not the recommended method for shipping hard drives

 

[Captante]

Back up your data now because that drive is going to fail on you & most likely soon... the last RMA I did with WD only took a couple weeks & hopefully you'll have the same experience.

 

[kedlav]

Back up your data, clear everything off the disk, then return it.

 

[Shmalls]

Take it apart and see if you can fix it, adding a clear window to it should solve your issue. :roll:

Kidding of course, send that puppy back and get yourself a shiny new hard drive.

 

[Laputa]

Yup, the drive is going down the hill and best thing to do is to get it RMAed before the warranty expires....

 

[mattnavox]

I've got a 250 gb WD drive that has been making a "click" then "whirring down" type noise. Reseating the power connector seems to fix the problem but I'm still wary. I've never RMAed a drive to WD before so I'm wondering how picky they're going to be about replacing a drive that just "may" have an issue and hasn't actually failed yet. Anyone w/experience in this type of situation? Thanks!

 

[travisray2004]

Not sure if anyone every notice but with the 2.5 hard drives external if they do not get enuff power they do no perform well. Maybe you have powersupply issues. Just a thought.

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: mattnavox
I've got a 250 gb WD drive that has been making a "click" then "whirring down" type noise. Reseating the power connector seems to fix the problem but I'm still wary...

I had "identical" symptoms a few years ago with a WD 120GB drive. It's likely just a lose power connector. I re-seated mine and am still using it three years later.

As for the OP:
Yeah. That drive is toast. It'll be nothing but a headache if you try to use it.

 

[mattnavox]

Thanks RM. I'm thinking switching from standard 4-pin power connector to Sata-power connector may have helped as well.

 

[crimson117]

I'm gonna go against the grain here and instead of recommending an RMA, I recommend you put all your most important files on that drive, delete all other backup copies of those files, and then run a hard disk stress test benchmark 24/7 until the drive crashes.

 

[Old Hippie]

Originally posted by: crimson117
I'm gonna go against the grain here and instead of recommending an RMA, I recommend you put all your most important files on that drive, delete all other backup copies of those files, and then run a hard disk stress test benchmark 24/7 until the drive crashes.

I second that emotion.:thumbsup: