PC is slow even after upgrade, and HDD makes a rhytmic ticking sound during startup - Is it dying?

[MrBaker]

A few months ago i noticed my PC was showing the following symptoms:

- High disk activity
- Some Programs stop responding frequently or take a unusually long time to open (not extremely slow but it's noticeable).

- Windows also takes a while to go from logon screen to desktop upon a cold boot ( also not extremely slow, but noticeable).

These still occur even after reformatting and installing everything from scratch and continue to happen even after i upgraded my hardware with a newer CPU, motherboard and more RAM.

Today another worrying symptom:
- Just before POST, there is this "tic-tic-tic, tic-tic-tic, tic-tic-tic..." noise coming from the HDD.
Then the POST screen appears and the OS boots normally.

I tried running the command "wmic diskdrive get status" to check the drive's SMART status and it shows OK.

However i'm still worried because generally ticking sounds and slow-downs may be a sign of a failing HDD.

It's a Samsung H103SJ 1TB SATA II, approx. 5 years old.

Edit: I've put my ear near the HDD, and the "ticks" sound more like grinding noises.

I also came across a new symptom: The PC shuts down during OS boot.

Guess I'll have to replace both HDD and PSU to avoid any headaches... :/

 

[Colif]

you don't want to hear clicking from hard drives, its not a good sign. I would back up anything you want to save. And buy a new hdd.

can run this: http://pcsupport.about.com/od/hardware-testing-software/fl/samsung-hutil.htm

I would also run http://crystalmark.info/download/index-e.html and http://www.hdtune.com/ (just the free trial)

 

[D_Know_WD]

Hi there MrBaker,

I would totally agree with Colif. You really need to back up the data stored on the drive ASAP.

After that, you can test it with a tool that can provide a SMART report. Look for pending/reallocated and uncorrectable sectors.

It will not hurt to attach the drive with different cables(especially power one) and see if this would make any difference.

Cheers,
D_Know_WD

 

[MrBaker]

Well, Looks like the drive is indeed waving good bye... The ticks are a little louder, lower-pitched, and sound like scratching or grinding. I will replace it and the PSU as soon as i can. (It's a 4 year old, generic one)...

I just hope it doesn't die before it's replacement...

 

[Colif]

the clicking is the head hitting the platters, its not meant to do that, its meant to float above them like the needle on a record player. Sooner you replace it, the better.

 

[MrBaker]

Unfortunatey i don't yet have the money to buy both new HDD and PSU.
- I don't want to risk buying a new hard drive, and end up damaging it too because of an old and possibly faulty power supply, so I'll just replace both.

Thanks everyone for your help!