clic, click, click . . . beeeeep

[MWTungsten]

I built this PC about 6 months ago. Starting within the last few weeks, it will occasionally refuse to boot up. I hear a "click ... click ... click ..." clock-like tic-tocking sound, followed by a long "beeeeeeeeep" ... and then nothing; just a black screen.

Just now, turning the surge protector on and off got it to stop doing this and start up normally. But I don't think it's a power problem because I've had this happen at 2 different houses with different surge protectors. PSU is a Enermax NoiseTaker, so I didn't cheap out there.

It will only do this about 3% of the time, but it's still troubling. Any ideas?

 

[SGtheArtist]

Usually the "click, click, click..." is the click of death for a HDD. I have a Seagate HDD that I rarely turn on and when I do it often does this until the HDD warms up at which time it is recognised and will boot.

It would be a good idea to backup your data, if it is indeed the HDD. try to isolate the sounds location in the computer case.

 

[wpshooter]

After you get your data backed up, get the manufacturer's hard drive diagnostic software and test the integrity of the drive.