Solved External hard drives making clicking noise

[Poororo]

So currently my computer cannot open (operating system not) and decided to check my external 1tb Toshiba, I just plugged it in and opened the computer, then it spun and lit up, and had clicking noises, then I decided to check again while writing this, and there were no clicking noises anymore, should I be worried? I just bought this February 12

 

[King Arthur]

There are two probable causes of the so-called "click of death" for external hard drives:

A. Inadequate power being supplied to the external HDD, this is most common in situations like where you have multiple devices (including the HDD) connected to a single USB hub for example.

B. Physical deterioration of the HDD resulting from either simple wear-and-tear or damage such as physical shock or trauma.

I would begin by downloading something like CrystalDiskInfo to read the SMART diagnostic info that your HDD provides. If anything there is bad (like reallocated sectors), then I highly suggest replacing the HDD at your earliest convenience.

If SMART comes out showing a clean bill of health, I would make sure adequate power is being supplied to the HDD. If adequate power is supplied, I would wait and see how the HDD fares; if the HDD is failing it will start giving off signs (more clicks, bad SMART readings, etc.).

And most importantly, backup your data! A good backup will save your day like you can't even imagine.

 

[marsmimar]

A clicking sound from any hard drive could be a sign of impending failure. Toshiba has a troubleshooting guide that may help.

FAQ: Portable USB Hard Drive Troubleshooting and FAQ

Or you could use SeaTools, a diagnostic utility that works on Seagate drives and non-Seagate drives.

How to use SeaTools for Windows

Seagate and Maxtor drives models are given a gold drive icon. Non-Seagate drives have a silver drive icon.
You may select more than one drive at a time to test them simultaneously.

Personally, I'd back up any data from the clicking drive before doing any diagnostic testing. Using a diagnostic test could stress the drive to failure.

 

[AddRAM]

If you just bought it, get your data off, take it back and get another one.

Do not think twice about it

 

[madcratebuilder]

If you just bought it, get your data off, take it back and get another one.

Do not think twice about it

THIS, absolutely, with out a doubt, as fast as you can.

 

[Lady Fitzgerald]

If you just bought it, get your data off, take it back and get another one.

Do not think twice about it

THIS, absolutely, with out a doubt, as fast as you can.

Another vote for this!

 

[Poororo]

Thanks for the replies, but unfortunately computer still unusable, due to operating system not found. Due to the bsod

 

[mjf]

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.

 

[Poororo]

My computer experienced the Bsod, then when I rebooted it said error loading operating system, decided to take out the cables and return it, then it said operating system not found, and being paranoid I checked the external hdd since it was plugged in when the PC had the bsod(details at the bsod topic I posted), so I plugged it in and powered up the computer and It sounded like it had insufficient power supplied, because when I rebooted the PC the drive spun with no problems.

 

[Poororo]

Thanks for the replies, but unfortunately computer still unusable, due to operating system not found. Due to the bsod

And yes it is still detected when I press escape and let's me choose where to boot from, and it's plugged in a single usb hub at the front

 

[carwiz]

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.

 

[Poororo]

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

 

[Layback Bear]

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?****

 

[Poororo]

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

 

[Layback Bear]

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.

 

[gawain]

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.

 

[Layback Bear]

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

 

[falconer]

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

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

Thank you.

 

[mjf]

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.

 

[Clairvaux]

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.