New Satellite U200 - couple of minor problems?

Hi there...

About a week ago, I took delivery of a new Satellite U200 that I had ordered custom from Toshiba...based on the online reviews here and on other sites, plus going to stores to try out the models I was interested in (Satellite U200, Sony Vaio SZ, Dell XPS M1210), the Toshiba came out as the clear winner, so I ordered it...the specs on my machine are as follows:

Intel® Core™2 Duo Processor T7200 (2.00GHz, 4MB L2 Cache, 667MHz FSB), Genuine Windows Vista™ Home Premium 32-Bit, Mist Gray, Microsoft® Office Basic 2007, 2048MB PC5300 DDR2 667MHz SDRAM (1024MBx2), 12.1" Diagonal Widescreen XGA TruBrite™ display (1280x800), Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator 950, 100GB HDD (5400rpm, Serial-ATA), DVD SuperMulti (+/-R double layer) drive, Intel® PRO/Wireless LAN 3945ABG (802.11a/b/g), Bluetooth® Version 2.0 +EDR, 1 Year Standard Limited Warranty

While I havent had a lot of time to use my new machine since it arrived on Monday, owing to schoolwork and stuff, I have used it a few times, and the one thing that keeps bothering me is that its noisy!! I did not expect this at all, because pretty much every review I saw described it as quiet, and the machines I tested out in Office Depot and stuff were all very quiet...this machine, I can hear what I think is the hard drive clicking away almost constantly, even when I am not using it and it is idle ...while its not very loud, it is noticeable and almost constant - is this something that will go away once I have the machine "broken in" for lack of a better term? For that matter, is it even normal for a new Satellite U200 to be that loud? Otherwise it might drive me crazy, I think...any advice or suggestions for this, please?

The other problem Im having is that I ordered Office Basic 2007 to be preinstalled on my machine...however, the Microsoft 25 character product key that comes supplied with my system refuses to work...I called Toshiba and they told me it was not their problem and to give Microsoft a call...however the Toshiba rep also made some very unclear reference to it possibly being a demo version and the demo version needs to be uninstalled first before I can use the product key for the real version?? Microsoft's support is closed on the weekends so I will call them on Monday...but has anyone else had a similar problem??

Thanks so much in advance!

 

A clicking sound from the hard drive is not normally a good sign, and could indicate imminent drive failure. Should probably call Toshiba about it.

 

I would wait to call for a day or so, I had a clicking hard drive after I first started my system and I've never heard it again. However, yes if it persists definitely contact them.

 

Thanks for the replies...I called Toshiba and they gave me a reference number and referred me to the local authorized service center...which happens to be 1 hour from where i live, unfortunately...the earliest I can make it there is Thursday, so I will probably go down there then...