USB HDD clicking and will only work in one port?

[Vercingetorix]

OK I am new here so I will probably transgress some unwritten laws!
So, I have had a Maxtor one touch USB HDD for some time now. I use it every day. It will sit there happily flashing off and on, there is no problem with data in or out, usually. Then, for no other reason than the lead gets knocked slightly or the likes, it starts to click and connects/disconnects until I wiggle the plug in the port, in which case the clicking stops. So I use another lead, no difference. I plug something else into the same port but there is no problem with the connection?

My next thought is to try another port. I have three all told and a USB hub. It is not recognised in the hub, one of the remaining ports does nothing and the third does exactly the same as the first but will not stop clicking, ever, regardless of wigglage. All other devices Cameras etc. work perfectly with no poor connections in all ports.

I am in the middle of check disk on one of the two partitions of the HDD. Then I intend to use SeaTools for Windows to check out the whole drive. So right now my failing ports are my biggest concern. I am at a loss as to how I identify the ports in device manager and configure them to take all devices?
Help would be great.

 

[CKWD]

Hello Vercingetorix!

You have figured out most of the troubleshooting part, good.

A clicking sound usually is not supposed to happen if you have an unresponsive USB port, the drive just won't be recognized. The clicking sound is usually a sign of bad HDD health, most cases – failing drive.

My advice would be to back up the drive as soon as possible, change its cable then check its health, SMART values and for bad sectors.

Post back after that!

CK_WD