I think the HDD is going. Do I just install it and recover from my Macrium image as usual or do I have to format etc.?
What else could be making an intermittent ticking?
I ran Dell DX and it said all OK as did Speccy but I don't trust software testing.
Should I run it till it goes or be preemptive? I ask b/c I am not sure.
TY
Peter
By all means , if you even THINK it could be going, back up immediately and replace the drive. Better to be safe in situations like this. Don't think you'll need to format the new HDD first, just install it and reimage.
What happens if I wait and have a good image? Could I then replace it and recover?
Yes , I suppose so. But you would lose anything between when the image was made and when it finally dies. Its not hard to change a drive or to re-image if that's your concern.
It sounds like a bad bearing or a hard drive. Is it true a PSU does not make this ticking sound. I was told it is rare and would exclude one more thing.
I could remove the graphics card too -it has a fan.
Maranna, why don't you take it to a computer shop?
If I have to, I will. I am elderly and ill and on a disability pension so would first like to see if I can get it straightened out. If I was working I would have done so.
I just opened it on the bench and no noise neither any loose ties.
I watched fans pinning and checked for loose cables . When I tested it the ticking came back. I unplugged the video card to bypass that but it still ticked. Doesn't it sound like the hard drive?
Would the hard drive make a sound if bench testing as it was quiet all the time it was on the bench?
I believe that changing the position of a dying HD can cause it to stop clicking for a while.
I don't have a lot of experience with dying HDs. The only clicker I remember was as external SCSI 45MB (that's megabytes) drive I used on a Mac about 30 years ago. The sounds it made were more like cricket chirps than clicks.
I hope that $50US (approximate replacement price at Computer Parts, Laptops, Electronics, and More - Newegg.com) is tolerable. If the drive is the 1TB drive listed in your system specs, I suggest replacing it with a 2TB one. The price will be about the same. Even if you have no need for the extra capacity, the performance may be better if the data density on the platter(s) is higher.
It's good that you appear to have the ability to do the replacement yourself.
Thankfully I can replace it. Recovering data from my Macrium image will be another thing unless it is like a typical recovery.
I used Speccy to find out what I need. I will get the 500 GB as I only use 38 GB any way.
I saw one in a local store for $35.
TY
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