HDD about to give-out?

[PwnFrnzy]

The main computer which resides in the living room of my house seems to be having odd issues with the hard drive. It has been running non-stop for the 3 years we have had it (except for very few restarts and some shut-downs that lasted no more than a day).
The HDD has been revving up and gets loud when it does for 5 minutes straight, sometimes when it gets to revving up it loud-quiet-loud-quiet in 1 second intervals for 5 minutes as well.
Will it need to be replaced?

System specifications:
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate x86 / Ubuntu 10.04 (partion does not come up when booting)
HDD: 488GB Western Digital
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ Windsor 90nm Technology
Motherboard: ASUSTek Computer Inc. NARRA2 (Socket AM2)
RAM: 3.0 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 312MHz (5-5-5-15)
Chipset/Graphics: E2350 Integrated @ 1280 x 960

 

[DeVandal]

It would present this condition if it were:

Full to capacity
Severely fragmented
Had some Search Enhancement crapware run amok
Dying drive motor

Leaving the drive on for three years is BETTER for the assembly than repeated power cycles IMO.

Run a SMART test and see what you get.

And backup.

 

[PwnFrnzy]

Full to capacity: Err, no, not even 30GB is being used.
Severely fragmented: Could be, will fragment once my computer addict sister is off.
Search Enhancement Crap-ware: Looked, nothing.
Failing Drive Motor: Could be.

How do I do a SMART test?

 

[mjf]

Run the standard Windows disk checks (Computer > Properties >tools)
(or Chkdsk /f ~ short; chkdsk /r bad sector check ~ long)
+ manufacturers tests

Try CrystalDisk Info for SMART data health status.
Download Center - Crystal Dew World

But my crystal ball says back it up right now and start shopping for a new HDD.

 

[PwnFrnzy]

I ran a SMART test but nothing came up unless I ran it wrong, I'll try CrystalDisk when I return home. Hopefully the drive won't die, I highly suspect the Drive Motor could be the problem.

 

[mjf]

CrystalDiskInfo can keep a log. See what it says.
HDD die (anytime). Prepare for it especially when they start making noises!
If my HDD dies after 3 years I'd say "darn it" (or not so similar words) but I'd be prepared with images. I even have a cold standby HDD that just needs plugging in.

 

[James Colbert]

You're getting good advice re:HD, but it might be worth asking: Are you sure it's not a fan? But, whether the HD is failing or not, imaging the partitions in your system is always good advice.

James