Can a hard drive that is making a ticking noise be repaired?

Question

This is a 250GB hard drive that has been working for just under a year on my system and for some reason now it can't be read and is making a ticking noise like a regulator clock, it's not been knocked or tampered with just sitting in my system. Does anyone know how to repair or where I might be able to get it repaired, failing that if I may be able to retreive the data on it.

This drive is not over heating just not kicking in, even when put on voltage controller, the drive makes a regular tick tick tick, no other symptoms. I've checked this drive in various systems and still no joy it's unable to read the drive but it does recognise a drive is in place but no detail may be obtained, as of size make model or data,from bios or a disk checking programme. I have heard of UK data retrieval companies but I'm unable to find any on the web, does any one know of one I can contact in the UK not the USA or Canada?

Answer 1

It sounds as if your drive is totally kaput.

The clicking you hear is usually due to a defective motor or motor controller. This means that the drive cannot get up to operating speed.

Your only real hope of data rescue is a specialist recovery firm. EXPENSIVE !!!!!!!!!!!

This is the hard way to learn about Regular Backups.

Sorry.

Answer 2

Repeated ticking noise compared to spontaneous noise when loading a file for example isn't usually a good sign. Drives and power supplies are parts that go quite often within the first year. Likely you'll won't be able to repair it with any utility though you can try. Though you could put the drive into the freezer as suggested if the drive is overheating, be careful because extreme changes in temperature without allowing the drive adjust to room temperature may cause the drive to expand and contract more than you want.

My recommendation is trying to backup if possible so that you can transfer to a newer drive. Ghost as suggested I've had great luck with. Since you're drive is just one year old, it should be under warranty. Contact computer manufacturer or drive manufacturer (if you bought it separate from the computer). They'll ask you to make a request form and then they'll send you a drive once they verify you're eligible. Then return the bad drive once you've made your attempt to transfer the files by setting one as master and the other as slave or cable select. That would be your best option considering the price to send the drive to a clean room to have it repaired is costly.

Answer 3

Repair is probably not an option. There are a couple ways that you MAY be able to retrieve your data.

First thing you can try is remove the drive and put it in the freezer for about 1/2 hour. Replace it in the system and try booting. This fix is only temporary and will not always work.

If that doesn't work you can connect or slave the drive to a good work system and attempt to retrieve the data. Once again there is no guarantee you will be able to access the information on the drive.

Good luck!

Answer 4

If your able to access it, I would back it up right away (take your most important things). That's why it's always a good idea to have 2 hard drives - so at least you can backup all of your data or have a GHOST on it - so you can install a new hard drive and bring back a Ghost copy.

Many times, you can still have data retrieved out of a crashed hard drive. If you can - even on another computer, try going to the hard drive manufacturer's site and many times, there is a program you can download to a CD or floppy (if you still have one) that will run utilites specifically from the manufacturer.

I did it to my hard drive years ago and it fixed the error that was on the hard drive (on a pretty deep level) and it's been fine ever since. If it's only a year old, you may be under warranty.... but I'd go to the site and see if you can get the program that will detect errors and fix them (you may or may not lose information - depending on where the error is (if it's an error) and how full your hard drive is. Many times, the manufacturer will have you run it before they replace a hard drive (if you're under warranty).

Keep in mind that sometimes viruses or spyware can create 'activity' when you're not on the computer - (working in the background).... always good to check.

Answer 5

They are made not to open/tamper with. A single fingerprint on a hard disk platter is enough to cause a head to physically hit the disk platter. A speck of dust in a drive will cause a hard crash. Ther are hermatically sealed at the factory. I had a drive that actually sparked while it ran. It was very noticable in the dark--even cool looking. It did that for almost a year and then suddenly it came to a GRINDING halt. Is it still under manufacturer's warranty. Many drive have a year warranty from the factory.

Answer 6

Ive seen this many times especially on WD disks it usually means the drive is finished ,how ever if your data is very valuable there are specialist firms with clean room facilities that can retrieve it at ENORMOUS EXPENSE ,btw a lot of drives have a 3 year guarantee

Answer 7

Hi. First, turn it off to keep the head from doing more damage. Replace the drive with another and set the new one as MA (master) and your old one as SL (slave). Get the OS installed in the new drive, then try to read the old drive's data. You may have to download a file recovery program.

Answer 8

I don't know if the drive can be fixed. Most reputable hard drive companies have at least a year warranties so it's a good chance the drive is still under warranty and you could get it replaced for free.

Answer 9

Get Norton Utilities or similar and test the hard drive. Otherwise, copy the files, wipe the drive clean, and install fresh OS. See if the clicking continues. If so, scrap it. They are rarely fixed, but it could be a bug in the system causing your problems. Try the Boot disk and see if the files are accessable through DOS. If you can access them, copy *.* to another drive or disk. Ifyou can't access them, they may be saved if you go to a dealer. They can access the HD and save any uncorrupted files.

Answer 10

you can get almost any drive repaired, physically but i dont know of anyone in the uk, usa is your best bet, and the cost can be enourmose. depends on how valueable the data is. freezing the drive is only really for platter repair.