I have been looking for the answer to this for a few days now without any luck. I'll start at the begining - I had a 80GB Deskstar HDD that came with my computer about 2 - 3 years ago and it started making these noises so i decided i would replace it as it was proboably failing. I then purchased a "250GB Hitachi Deskstar 7200 Rpm 8MB Cache PATA Drive", (just the other day) put it into my computer and installed VISTA and then it started making the same noise as before however it was a deaper tone and slightly louder. I don't know if it is just the drive but my 80GB drive didnt make the noise untill not long before i decided to replace it. The noise is a sort of clicking really fast, it doesnt sound really nasty but i am worried that a brand new hard drive is going to fail me.
Thanks for any help, Sam.I forgot to mention i was on the Hitachi site and was listening to the noises that would be a failing drive but does not really resemble any of them.back up any IMPORTANT dat if there is any on the drive

down load "HDD Health" from here:-http://www.panterasoft.com/
and use it to test your drive

stating an obvious but sometimes missed item, check that there are no cables touching any fans as this can ALSO make a noise. this can often happen when closing the cover and the cover pushes a cable onto a fan.
most drives I have heard make a ticking noise is on its way out, the pickup/recording head or heads are hitting the center spindle, think of it as an old record player which when it comes to the end of a record gets stuck in the middle and keeps going around there. a good write up about hard drives can be seen here:-http://supportpcs.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=156&Itemid=30

if you have just purchased?
it return it as soon as possible.
some drive warranties are for a year some three others can be for five years.
Well i think i'll just return it and get a replacement, do you think i will need to wipe the drive of the OPERATING system etc? because i really can't be bothered with the hastle.
Cheers Sam.I would wipe it.O.K i have taken the HDD back and replaced it with the same one only new. The noise is still there, maybe it is just the type of drive but im pretty sure ive never hear this noise from a hard drive. I started to think maybe it is the fan but after closer inspection it is definatly the hard drive. Is there any chance that other or "old" hardware could cause a problem, and also i have installed vista on is and when i use the start menu it flickers white and yellow from time to time and not as fast as before . Any help, ideas or advice would be much appreciated because im lost.
Cheers SamHave you ran a error check yet .... if its clicking its failing ......

1. Start

2. Run

3. chkdsk

Tony are you convinced the noise does come from the hard drive?

can you unmount the drive out of the computer box/case, then connect the molex power plug, ide or sata cables, sit it on a pad of paper or foam, then start up the computer, eaving it out of the computer case and see if the noise is still there,

other things that can cause clicking are a bent or broken fin on a cooling fan, a cable touching a rotating fan,

there are hard drive pads and flexible fittings available which are fitted between the drive and the mounts which might cut out any vibrationsThanks guys, i am just going to go with the flow. After doing a disk check and i found no errors and also pulling out my drive it is definetly the drive and not the fan, graphics card fan or anything else, i will just keep the reciept somewere safe and hope nothing goes rong. I have got some other questions to ask about my graphics card etc but i take it i have got to start a new thread or maybe go to software (about what games i can play). Honestly thanks for the help guys!
Sam