Random Clicking Noise While Torrenting

Hi

I just recently purchased a Dell Studio XPS 16 Laptop a bit over a month ago and have been experiencing a non-stop clicking noise while torrenting files.

It happens out of no where, usually around 30% into a download or more, possibly less. Around this point it will start to click continuously, and it appears I am not able to open task manager, although I am still able to talk on AIM, along with listening to a song currently open with no interruption.

I have also noticed that when I go to the Start Menu to try and restart or shut down that neither will work. This has resulted in me having to do a force shut down to stop the noise, and a reboot to run Vista normally again.

This problem will happen randomly, and I'm not sure if my hard drive is faulty, if I need a firmware update, or if Vista just has issues. I have tried different torrent programs and I get the same results.

The first time I heard the fast clicking noise was when I right clicked on my Magic Disc icon after installing. I was able to stop it by exiting. However, I uninstalled it, and at this point no longer use that program. I have also tried Daemon's Tools, but only received the noise once, and it has worked perfect since. Torrenting is the only time I now get this problem.

I have Windows Vista Home Premium x64 bit with Service Pack 1, and all updates available for windows.

This is my current hard drive:

http://www.seagate.com/ww/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=04d26c9cf9c2d110VgnVCM100000f5ee0a0aRCRD

This has been a great annoyance to me, and I would greatly appreciate any help possible. I have asked other people, searched all over online, and have not been able to find a solution.

Thanks

EDIT: Forgot to mention I downloaded SeaTools and ran full scan tests with no problem detected. This whole problem is very strange.

 

It's the tracking chip being activated by the Feds and RIAA for accessing those music downloads...

Check under the support.dell.com driver page for your laptop. There should be a Seagate 2.5 drive firmware update. This will help with the clicking noise. Seagate has had terrible issues with this. When moving to a different HDD, go with a Western Digital.

 

Thanks for your response.

I looked on Dell's site, but it seems the only available firmware listed is for a Samsung model.

Do you know if there is one for Seagate hard drives?

My friend suggested I try it anyway just to see, not sure if I should.

 

Did your Seagate hard drive come with your laptop? If so, are you 100% positive its a Seagate? You can run the dell patch - if its not the exact same model it will not install.

You can also check Seagate's site and look under the firware update section.