seagate HDD clicking

[CALiFORNiA DREAMiN]

i have a 500gb seagate sata harddrive and just recently it has started to make a very distinctive & loud clicking noise at least once every hour. this even happens when the computer is completely idle.

i ran the seatools software to check the harddrive and it passed the test. i copied all of my data over to another drive since i think this is about to fail.

are there any legitimate reasons why this drive would be making a clicking noice? the model # is ST3500630AS.

what is seagate's return policy on drives making clicking noises? do they only replace drives after they're completely dead? also do they replace them with new drives or factory refurbished?

 

[RebateMonger]

Originally posted by: CALiFORNiA DREAMiN
are there any legitimate reasons why this drive would be making a clicking noice? the modem # is ST3500630AS.

Any new sounds coming from a hard drive aren't a good sign. Drives, at least in the past, would perform a "thermal calibration" periodically, which I would assume could produce a clicking sound. But if this didn't used to occur and now does, I'd be concerned.

Seagate doesn't care WHY you returned the drive. They'll replace it under warranty if you ask them to.

The replacement could either be new or "recertified". Personally, if I had a recertified drive, I'd put it in a portable housing and use it for making backups.

 

[mxnerd]

If it's making any unusual noise, it's dying.

Enter your serial# at seagate website and check your warranty. Since it's 500GB drive, I'm sure it's under warranty. Send it back for a replacement.

I just sent one back (making bird chirping noise once a while) and all it cost is one way shipping, they used to ask you to do some test before sending it back, but not any more.

 

[Mwing]

I have an Seagate 7200.10 500gb doing the same before, I restarted computer to see if it helped, it didnt, then one of the restart I did, the bios didnt recognize the drive at all, I thought the drive was done but no, after changing the SATA power connector, no more noise and the drive has been fine and no more problem, has been 7 months now.