Strange dropping noise in my Inspiron 6400

Every once in a while, or every 5-10 minutes, there is a strange noise that comes from under the right palm rest. It sounds like a small marble dropping inside of my laptop. I don't think anything is coming loose.

Is this related to the harddrive? and if so, is this a normal occurrence with other 6400's?

 

Does anyone have a solution to this issue?

 

This is the exact noise and exact description I have used to describe on here and to Dell. Didn't get much feedback.

 

My external hard drive use to make a dropping noise when it was spinning fast enough because of low power. Maybe your drive is either going out or not pushed in all the way??

 

How long have U had this Laptop? Has it ever fallen or taken any other type of Damage? This could easily cause something to come loose. Also, if u have an additional Hard drive, you might wanna try it.

 

I've only had this laptop for 2-3 months, and no, it has not been physically damaged in any way.

I don't think anything is coming loose because the dropping noise comes in rarely, or every 5-10 minutes when I'm working on various tasks (internet browsing, word)

 

Download HD Tune and run a Health Scan on the entire disc. It would let you know if there is something wrong, and the high disc activity might force that sound to come up more often...giving you a chance to identify it better. If it is the hard drive, you might not hear it too often under general usage because the drive is rarely accessed.

 

Any idea yet to what this is..I was reminded because it just did it on mine.

 

i think i have the exact same thing on my 6400...

but mine is not as often as that, it seems to only happen when im doing less demanding applications. Im wondering whether its because of the power options, i think it could be whan the HDD isnt needed that much so it slows the RPM down a bit (causing that noise).

Also, im not 100% sure, i think its only happened when there is no AC plugged in, therefore making it even more possible that its the power options...

 

All my laptops have made the sound, its just the sound of the HDD spinning. Since the 6400 has the vents on top your likely to hear it more.

 

my e1705 makes this sound too, and it too. i'm not that worried about it though, it doesnt seem like a big deal.