Weird clicking sound coming from case

[kurac_palac]

For several weeks a clicking/popping/cracking sound was coming from the case. Some threads here suggested a PSU or graphics card problem but I suspected one of the HDDs. I have Linux, Windows and an external HDDs. When booting into Windows the sound became more frequent and the computer froze. On the Linux disk it wasn't that frequent but the system was still slower that usual. SMART tests came back negative (all was fine). An hour ago I ran ntfsfix on the Windows disk and now the sound stopped. I'm baffled. Does anyone know what was the problem (I know it was something wrong with the file system, but cannot pinpoint the exact problem)? If the sound comes back i will let you know.

UPDATE: The clicking came back and the disks were not even detected! Unplugging and replugging the SATA cables (at least temporarily) solved the problem. Just to be safe, I ordered a new PSU and cables.

 

[ss202sl]

Back up important data now just in case your HDD is starting to fail.

 

[kurac_palac]

Back up important data now just in case your HDD is starting to fail.

Already did. The disk passed SMART test by the way and there is nothing that indicates a failure.

 

[ss202sl]

Hows your cable management? Is it possible that a fan is rubbing against a cable or something?

 

[kurac_palac]

Hows your cable management? Is it possible that a fan is rubbing against a cable or something?

All cables are zip-tied together and as far away from fans as possible.