Hardware Hard Drive "Clicking" Sound

[Skeet1983]

I have a laptop with a SSD and 2 1TB HDD's. Every once and a while, I hear a "clicking" noise/sound coming from my HDDs I think. Computer and programs/games have not crashed or anything... should I be concerned? Is there a way to check to see if they are OK? Thoughts appreciated

 

[TotalInsanity4]

I have a laptop with a SSD and 2 1TB HDD's. Every once and a while, I hear a "clicking" noise/sound coming from my HDDs I think. Computer and programs/games have not crashed or anything... should I be concerned? Is there a way to check to see if they are OK? Thoughts appreciated

As long as it's periodic and not constant it should be fine. It's most likely the arm switching positions. Try defragmenting the drive, that would help partially. If you're really concerned download support software from the drive manufacturer and run a S.M.A.R.T. check (assuming the drive supports it)

 

[Deleted User]

I heard this also coming from my hard drive. I would run a smart test on it and see if it has any bad sectors or anything.

 

[Skeet1983]

I was wrong earlier. The HDDs are 2TB each and Seagate brand. I downloaded SeaTools from Seagate and ran SMART test on both HDDs, both HDDs passed. Still wonder what that clicking sound is and if I should be worried/concerned...

 

[emmanu888]

I say you should definitely get a 4TB external drive and backup those two drives. Better be safe than sorry

 

[Skeet1983]

As long as it's periodic and not constant it should be fine. It's most likely the arm switching positions. Try defragmenting the drive, that would help partially. If you're really concerned download support software from the drive manufacturer and run a S.M.A.R.T. check (assuming the drive supports it)

How long does a SMART test usually take? It was done in a matter of seconds when I ran test on both HDDs...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[TotalInsanity4]

How long does a SMART test usually take? It was done in a matter of seconds when I ran test on both HDDs...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's. .. interesting. It should typically be at least a matter of minutes

 

[Skeet1983]

Anything I should do?

 

[TotalInsanity4]

Anything I should do?

Back up everything you think is especially important on a separate format. I don't think there's a problem, but it's better to be safe than sorry

 

[vayanui8]

Even if its a dying drive I don't think anything is going to happen to it soon. Follow everyone elses advice of backing it up and if the clicking becomes more frequent or the drives start to get slow replace them. In my experience drive failure isn't an immediate issue and you should have time to back it up before replacing it.