External hard drives making clicking noise

Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

  1. Posts : 4,161
    Windows 7 Pro-x64
       #11

    mjf said:
    Poororo said:
    So currently my computer cannot open (operating system not) ....
    I'm not sure exactly what you are saying. I understand your ext HDD is making clicking noises and I'd follow the advice given above. But are you also saying your PC is not booting? If so does it boot when the ext HDD is disconnected?
    If the ext HDD is USB powered make sure it is plugged directly into a PC USB port and not a passive hub with other devices attached to the hub.
    The OP has threads all over the place and refers to the others in each thread. It's confusing to say the least.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 ultimate 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #12

    I'm very sorry I'm new to the forums and I'm using the seven forum app on my phone as I don't have a spare PC
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #13

    Poororo welcome to our forum.
    Let's see if we can get you pointed in the right direction.
    1. One problem one computer one thread. Otherwise it's nothing but confusion.
    2. Remove all usb connections except mouse and keyboard.
    3. Boot your computer and let us know how it goes. Don't do anything else with your computer until you post back. That will give these good members a starting point to give further recommendations.
    ---------------------
    These good members need to have your computer boot properly before worrying about a external hard drive.
    ****Did you install Windows 7 Ultimate yourself?****
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 9
    Windows 7 ultimate 32 bit
    Thread Starter
       #14

    Layback Bear said:
    Poororo welcome to our forum.
    Let's see if we can get you pointed in the right direction.
    1. One problem one computer one thread. Otherwise it's nothing but confusion.
    2. Remove all usb connections except mouse and keyboard.
    3. Boot your computer and let us know how it goes. Don't do anything else with your computer until you post back. That will give these good members a starting point to give further recommendations.
    ---------------------
    These good members need to have your computer boot properly before worrying about a external hard drive.
    ****Did you install Windows 7 Ultimate yourself?****
    Win 7 was pre-installed, there were no other usb connections except for the mouse and keyboard. And I'm sorry for being unclear, it's just that that one time it had clicking (or I think scratching noise) and never happened again after the reboot
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #15

    A one time (I think noise) is impossible to troubleshoot.
    Just keep a close eye or ear on your system.
    At this point my understanding is your computer boot properly and that is good.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 1
    Windows 7 Home Premium
       #16

    I had a Toshiba external that started clicking, I took King Arthurs (a) advice and connected it via a powered hub (5v 2.6A) and the clicking has stopped and file transfer working.

    Thanks.
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #17

    Welcome to our forum gawain.
    That is a good point. Under powered usb ports can cause all kinds of problems.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 2
    windows xp sp3
       #18

    I recently bought a WD My Passport Ultra 1 TB external HDD USB3. While I was able to use it without any problems on my Lenovo Ideapad, the HDD was not recognized when connected to the front USB 2.0 ports of my PC running win 7.
    In addition, clicking sounds were heard every 10 minutes, or so.
    I connected the HDD to the rear USB 2.0 ports and all was well. WD drive utilities also reported SMART OK and Quick Drive Test also returned a "Passed" report.
    whew.

    Thanks to Layback Bear
    Layback Bear said:
    Welcome to our forum gawain.
    That is a good point. Under powered usb ports can cause all kinds of problems.
    Thank you.
      My Computer


  9. mjf
    Posts : 5,969
    Windows 7x64 Home Premium SP1
       #19

    Clicking is usually a very bad sign of a drive failing. Store important data on the drive else ware and return it if still under warranty. I can't see any reason why it shouldn't be recognized when connected to a USB 2 port.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 247
    Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (OEM)
       #20

    gawain said:
    I had a Toshiba external that started clicking, I took King Arthurs (a) advice and connected it via a powered hub (5v 2.6A) and the clicking has stopped and file transfer working.
    Similar experience here. I had an external disk drive to which Macrium backups would abort, and it made clicking sounds. After some research, I discovered that my USB cable was the culprit. It was USB 3.0 and 3 meters long, whereas a little-advertised limitation of USB 3.0 is : keep it to 2 meters max if you plan to power a hard drive out of it.

    I switched the disk to a USB 2.0 cable, and it happily hummed again.
      My Computer


 
Page 2 of 3 FirstFirst 123 LastLast

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 7 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 7" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:14.
Find Us