Hard Drive Clicking

[JR64]

Assembled a new computer recently with no glitches. Then, 5 days later while the MB tried to ID the Hard drive on boot up, there was a distinctive "clicking" sound coming from the HD. It struggled on for a few moments before the screen issued the message HD failure. I've reset the ribbon cable both HD & MB ends and tried a different power connector and this does clear the fault but only for a day or so then the problem returns. Ocassionally another way round it seems to be to press F8. Any ideas guys?

For reference:

ABIT KD&-E MB Athlon XP 2000
Maxtor 60Gb ATA 133 2MB Cache
Radeon 9000Pro
15" LG TFT SCREEN
Windows XP installed

 

[roamer1]

Try the Powermax utility from Maxtor (assumes the 60GB maxtor is the prob drive). Back up your junk first if you can.

 

[Snickle]

I had a WDC do that for about a week and all was good for about 2 months and it started clicking again. Moved most of the data off and about 4 boots later S.M.A.R.T. started giving error messages and finally the drive died. But it was under warranty.

 

[JR64]

Thanks for the advice and warning guys. Will try the diagnostic prog first as at this stage I've only got applications on the drive and no important files.

Although if anybody can say for sure the drive is mechanically faulty rather than because of some daft setting it would be much appreciated.

For reference:

ABIT KD7-E MB Athlon XP 2000
Maxtor 60Gb ATA 133 2MB Cache
Radeon 9000Pro
15" LG TFT SCREEN
Windows XP installed

 

[edfair]

I'll answer for both and about 50 others here that will say that what you are hearing is the death rattle. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[JR64]

Well EDFAIR I did say if anyone can be certain the HD is history then let me know and that sounds pretty certain to me. Thanks for the advice.