dv3000 HDD Q

So I've had this dv3510nr for a couple of weeks. Since day 2 I noticed the hard drive clicking/knocking, sounds like a typical hard drive failure even though it is working just fine. Since it's getting more and more frequent (up from once an hour to once every 2 minutes), I'm pretty sure the WD3200BEVT (5400rpm) is dying. Rather than deal with an HP return BS I'm thinking about going to a 320 7200 rpm (WD 3200BEKT). Before I do that, is it even at all possible that the HP ProtectSmart drop detection feature is causing the noise? For the most part, whenever the hard drive is actively seeking/doing something it will not make the noise. In fact, during this entire post it has not made the noise, but the HDD light has been on the whole time. Any good apps to test a HDD?

Kind of a lot to digest, I know, just don't want to buy another HDD to have the same problem. I'm also open to other suggestions on a more powerful performing replacement 320/500 under a hundred bucks. Trying to make it faster any way possible while I'm at it.

 

Guess I answered my own Q, turned off the protection feature and it's still doing it. The load/unload cycle is around 3000 per SMART. The load/unload cycle is at 300 on my desktop which is a mere 1 week older than this one. Got about 6 months til end of life. Pathetic.