Computer makes annoying clicking Noise

supersaver09

For the past couple of days i've noticed occasionally, my computer makes clicking noises.

Sometimes it goes away by itself & other times i get a Blue error screen. When this happens, i can't even shut it down.......i have to switch the computer off via the mains (?).

Can anyone let me know whether it's a problem with my hard-drive or can a virus cause this?

(I've also installed the latest Realplayer recently, not sure if it's anything to do with this?).

Thanks for all replies/info.

geewhiz

Sounds to me like the hard drive is on the way out, time to backup everything you need just incase !

Try running chkdsk to see if it finds any errors too.

DyManic

Yes it does sound like the hard disk. Once this happens they don't usually last much longer so I would get a new one ASAP.

HTML200

Hi. A little more info would be useful.

Is it a loud click? quiet? Does the volume change?
Is it fast or slow (how fast?), does it have a regular beat or does it change?

John_Gray

It would be also useful if you said what the STOP code and following text was on the blue screen, because that can help define the problem area.

supersaver09

HTML200 wrote: »

Hi. A little more info would be useful.

Is it a loud click? quiet? Does the volume change?
Is it fast or slow (how fast?), does it have a regular beat or does it change?

Hi, it's quite a loud click yes & i'd say it's 2-3 clicks a second......with a regular beat (it doesn't change).

It did happen a couple of months ago, but after cleaning up the computer (i.e running anti-spyware & virus programs) it disappeared, but has now started up again.

NB: It can happen anything from a couple of times in one day to once every few days.

HTML200

That sounds too slow to be something catching on a harddrive platter, and too regular to be a harddrive head. (unless there's some program using the HD in that way... virus scan maybe? Does the HD light flash in time with the click?)

It sounds about the right speed for a spinning CD or DVD, though - could it be related to that?

It could also be related to one of the internal fans - perhaps a wire or molex connector is coming loose and tapping against the fan blades?

basmic

Is it anything like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8S5F2Bd7uA
or
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWR34wKBNS0

supersaver09

HTML200 wrote: »

Does the HD light flash in time with the click?)

It sounds about the right speed for a spinning CD or DVD, though - could it be related to that?

It could also be related to one of the internal fans - perhaps a wire or molex connector is coming loose and tapping against the fan blades?

Haven't taken notice of the HD light really. (when it happens again, i'll definitely take note)

I don't think it'd be CD or DVD related TBH.

I'll get my OH to check the internal fans later. But if it was the fan, wouldn't the clicking occur more often?

supersaver09

basmic wrote: »

Is it anything like this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8S5F2Bd7uA

Yep, sounds just like that one.............not good news i take it?

HTML200

Yep, sounds just like that one.............not good news i take it?

If that's the case, no. You need to copy anything of value off that harddrive as soon as possible.