Hard drive spins up and down and freezes computer

[BeLikeMiKe716]

I have this data drive that is pretty new: Seagate Barracuda 320GB
It holds all my data on it. I have backed up at times but I don't want to lose the drive and content.

Just recently, my computer would freeze whenever the drive was connected. I would hear the drive spin up and then down and repeats. I dont know how but i got it to work for a few minutes one time and burned some backup dvds.

I tried turning on the computer and then connecting the sata after and it would freeze the computer. When its connected and then turned on then the computer doesnt even go into windows.

Please help

 

[robisbell]

what does the bios say about the drive?
burn a copy of The Ultimate Boot CD and run the HDD diagnostics on the drive.

 

[hi tek]

run some SMART tests, if it fails then return it as it should be under warranty

 

[jackschmittusa]

Download Seatools.

Run the diagnostics.

 

[RebateMonger]

Make sure all power connections are solid. I had a WD 120GB drive that did something like this and (eventually) realized that the "failing drive" was caused by a loose Molex connector on the hard drive.

But it sounds like the drive is failing.

 

[drebo]

I would also check the USB/SATA/IDE cable. I have a 160gb WD drive that I thought was failing because it was exhibiting the exact same symptons you're detailing here and it was due to a bad USB cable. I've also had similar cases due to bad IDE cables.

 

[BeLikeMiKe716]

sorry. it doesnt spin up and down
it spins like it should but when you listen to it

it goes like
clikclikclik click
clikclikclik click

repeats... like if its trying to read but cant..
it just cycles like that...

 

[BeLikeMiKe716]

i also tried powering it but not connecting it to the computer with the sata cable. it still does the clicking. when sata is connected then computer freezes... when its not connected but powered the computer just lags... weird...

 

[robisbell]

the drives toast.

 

[BeLikeMiKe716]

ok currently have it all connected... the computer freezes for a few seconds and then unfreezes... repeat..

trying to do seatools right now.

 

[BeLikeMiKe716]

ok since the computer does not show the hdd, seatools doesnt find it either.
the hdd clicks and then stops and repeats...

 

[robisbell]

the HDD is shot, if it's under warranty, contact Seagate, if not, go buy another.

 

[BeLikeMiKe716]

yea they told me that the head of the drive is probably damaged.
i dont know how thought because nothing happened to the drive.

and data recovery is 700-1900 dollars which is really retarded considering its a problem with their equipment.

do you think i can open the drive and replace the head my self with a similar drive?
i have 320gb of mp3s, pics, vids, dvds, docs, etc and would like to just get it off the drive.
i have backup disks but its only a few of the important stuff.

 

[robisbell]

no, you either have to pay the place to do it (has to be done in a clean room), or write off the loss and move on.