Internal HDD clicking and not loading on desktop, but works fine on USB docking station

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bigcheese53

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Jun 6, 2014
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I just upgraded to a new motherboard (MSI Gaming 3 Z97) and moved my HDDs over. One loads up fine, but another (Samsung 1TB 7200RPM SATA) makes the loud clicks of doom when the computer POSTs, then ultimately fails to be detected by Windows or the BIOS.

When I take it out and put it into an external HDD dock and plug it in via USB, it runs fine and all my data is accessible without issue.

I tried different SATA cables, different ports on the motherboard, different SATA power cables but no difference.

If it was just a complete HD failure it would make some sense, but the fact that it loads up smoothly via a dock is confusing. Any ideas?

To clarify, this is a storage drive (not boot drive). A second storage HDD loads up fine.

Thanks in advance
 
Solution
Ubrales
Just to be safe stop using this HDD (the one with the clicking sounds).

Then make a clone of this HDD.

For cloning (making an exact copy of the entire disk) you need to connect the hard disk to a different computer and then use a cloning software. There are a few good free cloning software that you can download and run.

There is Acronis (free download from WD's website)

Clonezilla: http://clonezilla.org/

Apricorn (this is what I use): http://www.apricorn.com/products/software/ezgig.html

EaseUS: http://www.easeus.com/backup-software/ (I have used this) - look for the clone option.

After you clone the hard disk, install the newly cloned HDD in the computer.

Then make a backup of the new setup.

After doing the above run HDTune on...
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Ubrales

Ubrales

Polypheme
Dec 3, 2009
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Just to be safe stop using this HDD (the one with the clicking sounds).

Then make a clone of this HDD.

For cloning (making an exact copy of the entire disk) you need to connect the hard disk to a different computer and then use a cloning software. There are a few good free cloning software that you can download and run.

There is Acronis (free download from WD's website)

Clonezilla: http://clonezilla.org/

Apricorn (this is what I use): http://www.apricorn.com/products/software/ezgig.html

EaseUS: http://www.easeus.com/backup-software/ (I have used this) - look for the clone option.

After you clone the hard disk, install the newly cloned HDD in the computer.

Then make a backup of the new setup.

After doing the above run HDTune on the old clicking HDD.
 
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bigcheese53

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Jun 6, 2014
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Thanks for your quick reply.

I already copied off all of the data to another backup USB drive, in the event that I might need to format the faulty drive (or worse, that the clicking was an omen for impending failure).

Can I run HDtune on the clicking HDD if it's plugged in via a USB docking station?
 
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bigcheese53

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Jun 6, 2014
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Right? It's bizarre, I tried different SATA power cables but no difference, and the PSU is the same that has been powering this HDD previously. Additionally, the SATA power cables that haven't work on this clicking drive are working fine to power my other HDDs.

 
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Ubrales

Ubrales

Polypheme
Dec 3, 2009
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Yes, that is the way to check it. You have done the right things by saving your data.
 
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bigcheese53

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Well, I think it may have just petered out.. I put it back in the docking station and it just continually clicks loudly. Got lucky I was able to copy off all the data literally the last time it functioned.

Do you think the drive is just toast now?
 
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Ubrales

Ubrales

Polypheme
Dec 3, 2009
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Yes looks like it!Remember to backup regularly and frequently to an external drive.
 
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