Clicking noise with new Seagate 160GB 7200.2

I just upgraded my HDD with the new Seagate 7200.2 160GB. This HDD is very quiet when running, but sometimes, I can hear some clicking noise. It appears anytime, when reading/writing even at idle. This sound has no periodic repetition, but I can hear it every several minutes or so.

The sound is just like the one when you click a link in IE.

Is here any other user of this HDD? Should I worry?

 

Clicking noises are usually the sign of a failing drive.

 

I recomend you change the drive now while it is still under warantee. Clicking IS the sound of a failing drive and is bad - you should back up any data you've put on it IMMEDIATELY without any further delay as it could give in any minute.

 

Yes, back up the data if you can. Also, you might want to browse Seagate's website and look for some type of free utility download that can evaluate the health of a drive. Also, have HDTune scan your drive for errors (if it clicks then you know something is wrong).

 

seagate have seatools, you can download and boot it up via CD or flash drive or use it online from their site

but didnt we hear before that a clicking noise might sound like the drive needs to be defragmented or something?

my old dell had a clicking drive when new, doesnt anymore

 

I've had a Seagate 7200.1 since they came out, and have never heard a click out of it (the same goes for my Fujitsu & Samsung drives).

 

yeah ive had dozens of seagates and such and only one dell laptop drive that clicked but the click is gone so i dunno.....

 

Speaking as someone who's lost 3 Seagate drives within the last month, I suggest you back up your data immediately. Then run SMART tests on the drive (using Seagate's SeaTools)
Then, if it doesn't fail on that, run chkdsk or something similar for checking for bad sectors. If it's still alive after that, you might want to try reformatting it (not quick format, the full deal).

It'll probably fail on one or more of these, but then at least you know it's failing, and if it's covered by the warranty still, you can get it replaced.

Even if it survives all this, I'd be very careful with it in the future. Don't put data on it you can't afford to lose.

 

Thank you for all your suggestions.

It's interesting that now, while I am running HDTune Error Scan, so the drive is 100% working, the noise is not present for 33 minutes now. I have to correct my first post: the drive is making the noise several times per minute and from what I can say now, it makes it only when it's at idle.

 

Clicking when idle ..... maybe head parking or some sort of head positioning calibration routine.

Active Smart does HDD health monitoring. I think you can run it free for up to a month to see if it detects any problems.

John

 

To be fair, it's not just Seagates, any drive I've ever heard click or ping has died shortly after. They also sometimes pass diagnostics, but then proceed to fail a few days later. So don't think you're safe, backup your data, keep it backed up, and wait.

 

seagate is the only hdd to die on me so far awell :/

 

So far, I've run:

- HDTune Error Scan
- SeaTools Long Drive Self Test (overnight)

Both tests passed so far. I am going to call the shop where I purchased it and ask if I can return it or wait for a failure.

Should I try any other test in SeaTools?

 

Passing or not, its not somthing you should accept. I would get it replaced via warrenty.

 

So I finally moved all my data back to my old HDD and sent the Seagate back. I hope they will accept it and return my money.

When I was copying my data back to the old HDD (~7GB), the Seagate made pretty loud clicking sound twice during continuous reading. I believe it was right to return it then.

I ran also benchmarks for both the disks and the Seagate is fast as hell, it looks to be twice faster than the Fujitsu (80GB/5400). Check the attachments. I could definately see a big difference while working, starting Windows etc.

What is also interesting, it seemed to me that the 7200rpm Seagate was running cooler than the 5400rpm Fujitsu. I haven't made any exact measurements, but I always felt warm area under my wrist, but that area was cold after I replaced it with the Seagate. Also, the Seagate can run in a USB external box without any additional power cable, but the old Fujitsu needs another USB cable for additional power. I think this also means that the Fujitsu needs more power. This is interesting IMO.

But now what? Should I try another Seagate 7200.2 or wait a few months so maybe new big models will come also from other producers?

Thank you again for all your care,
Petr

 

Similar or bigger / faster products are coming off other production lines. Hitachi, Fujitsu, WD, Samsung.

I hope to see a Samsung HM250JI (250GB 5400rpm) within a week or so. This will match the 160GB 7200rpm HDDs on transfer speeds while having a lot more space.

Read this new 2.5" HDD review at Tom's Hardware.

John

 

I have one of the 250gb WD Scoripos on the way. Just like John said they match the 7200rmp 160gb drives in speed while giving you more storage and thus more for your buck.

 

Without hearing the noise itself it's hard to say, but my hitachi makes quiet tick-tock noises freqeuntly. Perhaps that's the type of nose you're hearing?

 

Well, it's really hard to say. It was similar to the noise that the HDD makes when I turn my notebook off, just like parking the heads. I tried to check the noise during shuting down and it looked to be the same. But why should it park the heads during copying 7GB of data?

 

So, I finally got my money back and immediately ordered the WD 250GB. I am curious how it will perform.