2 HDDs make clicking noise on same computer.

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vaconcamp

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Sep 1, 2012
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Recently, I decided to get rid of my computer's 3 year-old 500 GB Seagate hard-drive and replace it with a new 1 TB WD Blue because the Seagate one was constantly making an obnoxious clicking noise. I thought buying a new HDD would get rid of that noise, but sure enough a very similar noise appears on my brand new WD drive.

Is it possible that something could be wrong with my SATA connector or power supply (250w), or was it just bad luck that I received a bad drive?

Edit: Here is what it sounds like: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuoC_lQyQEw&list=WLBsYnBw0HWIzeADsmIThnoYzh-JQba1iG. The video doesn't do it justice though, it sounds much louder in person. It must've been my crappy mic.
 
Solution
aevm
It's the "click of death". Do return it.
http://www.graphicspapers.com/the-common-causes-of-hard-drive-clicking-noises/
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aevm

aevm

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They are quiet indeed. I've had 1TB, 2TB, RE 4TB, and they were all quiet - no clicks.
 
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vaconcamp

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I sent WD a support case to see if they think my case would classify as having a defective drive because it still technically works and boots up, but I haven't gotten a response in 3 days yet. Either way I'll probably end up returning it before the 30 days end.
 
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vaconcamp

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Yes, I'm sure. The source is definitely the hard drive.
 
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vaconcamp

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I would have went with the WD Black but I had an irresistible offer for a Blue on Amazon. It was $60 for the 1TB Blue and I had a promotion that brought it down to $25, so I decided to buy that instead of a $90 Black.
 
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vaconcamp

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Will do!

So you're sure that it can't be my PSU? I don't want to risk this happening again when I get the new hard-drive delivered.
 
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davcon

davcon

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Why don't you run wdc's diagnostic tool and/or Seatools and test your drives.
I realize they won't solve your clicking issue but could prove useful if you have a defective unit.
I have a wdc black and it's by far the noisiest drive I've ever owned(works good though)
Don't know about WDC's rma procedure since I've never used it.
Seagate's Seatools automatically creates the rma process if the hdd is defective and under warranty.
 
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aevm

aevm

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If you want to be absolutely sure buy an SSD and work from it, with no HDD at all. If you still hear clicks it was the PSU.
There's a Samsung 840 Evo 128GB for $100 or so, for example.

 
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vaconcamp

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I just ran the diagnostic tool and it passed the test. That kind of worries me because I don't think WD would then consider it "defective" even though it makes that noise. I'm not sure if the warranty will cover it then.
 
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vaconcamp

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If you want to be absolutely sure buy an SSD and work from it, with no HDD at all. If you still hear clicks it was the PSU.
There's a Samsung 840 Evo 128GB for $100 or so, for example.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure I entirely understand your question. Are you saying that if I use an SSD I'll know if the noise is coming from the PSU or not, or are you saying that if the SSD itself also makes a noise then I know it's the PSU that's the problem?

If it's the former, then I already know the noise is coming from the HDD not the PSU. If it's the latter, then I'll have to get my hands on an SSD to try it.
 
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aevm

aevm

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An SSD will never click - it has no moving parts. If your PC contains a SSD, a PSU, and no HDDs, then you've got two possibilities:

a) you hear clicking and now you know it's from the PSU, or
b) you don't hear clicking and now you know it was from the HDD

 
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vaconcamp

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I just took out the hard drive and ran LMint from a USB and my computer is very quiet, no clicking noise. It's definitely the hard drive.

I'll be sending it back to WD to get a replacement before my warranty expires, thanks for your help!
 
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