Worrying noise - PSU?

[None of the above]

This PC has started to make a loud and worrying click at random times. It sounds like the final noise the machine makes on powering down and can also be compared to a relay operating or a mains circuit breaker tripping.
Most components in the computer have been replaced or upgraded and the PSU, at four years old, is one of the few remaining original parts. Occasionally the PSU fan is quite noisy on boot up for a minute or two, so I suppose it would be prudent to replace the whole unit - it wouldn't break the bank. However, I'm anxious that I might be barking up the wrong tree.
Sorry, if the symptoms are somewhat vague but the noise sounds definitely 'mechanical'.

Any thoughts Gentlemen, please?

Thanks

N o t a

[doglegfinal]

If your PSU is nearly at the end of its life, you will notice it most probably during times when the activity of the PC is high, the PC will most likely reboot.
Are you sure it isn't your harddisk which makes that clicking sound? I have heard stories about harddisk clicking and then crashing after a while, maybe you want to check the health status of your HD with tools from this site for example http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/. If it is your HD, better start making backups before it is too late

[BOFH]

Yes, hard disk recalibration makes a 'click' noise and then you hear it spooling up again. The IBM DeathStar was notorious for it - do you have one of those?

A new PSU will cost between 15 and 40 quid - a good one will be nice and quiet and pay for itself. Just take a look at the dust and cruft the old one has sucked up on the fan blades. You can always use it as your machine metamorphises over time.

If clicking persists, back up and see your HDD merchant in the morning.

BOFH

[shuttlebus]

NOTA,

Best thing to do is firstly, remove the PC from whatever corner it is hiding in and then remove the lid.

Pop it up on a convenient chair or table and then et it run with the lid off. Hopefully, the clicking will be more distinct and you can peer in and identify the location.

As I am typing this, my WD external hard drive has just clicked as the heads parked on its way into hibernation... sounds awful, but doesn't do any harm.

Regards,

Shuttlebus

P.S. BTW, have you got power saving switched on, with things such as "Turn off hard drive after" activated... thid could explain the clicking.....

[unclenelli]

If you have a Zip Drive (Usually Iomega) DO NOT USE IT AGAIN!!!!!!!

DO NOT USE IT!!!!!

DO NOT USE IT!!!!

DO NOT USE IT!!!!!

I can't say it any more strongly than that!!!!

Check put Gibson Research Corporation (http://www.grc.com/tip/clickdeath.htm) for more datails, but the short details are:-
Zip drives develope a fault (the click) which damages the Zip Disk - A Damaged Zip Disk damages a (friends) Zip Drive and so on ..........


This is a link to the download page for the diagnostic software "Trouble In Paradise (TIP)" (it won't actually download the softweare, just take you to the page detailing the problem) to test whether you have a Zip drive which has developed (or is developing) Click Of Death sysndrome.

[None of the above]

Thanks everyone!

Just a quick response as I am about to depart for the salt mines.

BOFH - No, I have a couple of Maxtor drives in a dual boot config. I can't remember which one has Win XP on it, but one is about 9 months and the other is about 6 months old. Not necessarily a guide to life expectancy, of course!

unclenelli - No, I don't have a zip drive so that particular horror can be ruled out.

shuttlebus - I'll investigate the "Turn off hard drive after etc", this evening.

Thanks again, Gents. Must go to work now as my bank balance and the Inland Revenue expect no less of me. Just about to power down but will remove the side panel first to see what's what.

N o t a

[frostbite]

To cut the fan noise, remove whatever is necessary to get to the front of the fan, having cleaned all the grot off the blades, you will see a rubber bung or a sticky foil cover in the centre. Remove the bung or lift a section of foil, get one drop of oil (any) on the blade of a small screwdriver and let it run into the hole, replace bung/foil.

[vapilot2004]

NOTA,

good advice already offered here - just in case , BACK UP your important files !

Not that the drives are surely failing, but it's really cheap insurance.

[None of the above]

Thanks again, one and all for your hints, tips, advice and all purpose info.
I've just backed up the entire hard drive on both DVD and an external HDD.
Prior to that job I removed the side panel and applied right ear to the area around the hard drives.
The noise definitely came from that location (at the front of the case) and not from the PSU at the rear. Of course, with the certainty of night following day, there hasn't been a squeak (or a click) from the machine during the whole of the current session. However I think it would be a good idea to keep a new HDD in stock.

Much obliged! I shall now leave you in peace :)

Cheerio,

N o t a

[BOFH]

None of the above,

some HDD manufacturers have utilities which you can use to assess whether the thing is packing up or not - IBM certainly did. In addition, if you notice the clicking and you have time on your hands, put the tip of a long screwdriver against the side of the drive and put the handle to your ear to determine the origin of the noise.

I've just backed up the entire hard drive on both DVD and an external HDD.

Would it that everyone were so wise.
BOFH

[None of the above]

................ put the tip of a long screwdriver against the side of the drive and put the handle to your ear to determine the origin of the noise.

Thanks for that tip, BOFH. I will apply screwdriver and left ear (used the right one last time) to the offending(?) component tomorrow.

All the best,

N o t a

[vapilot2004]

I have a Linux-based bootable CD for this but you may be able to use something like this:

Free HD Diagnostic Program from PC World (http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22945,00.asp)

Your machine likely has a newer S.M.A.R.T. drive - this software speaks it's language and reports back to you on the drive's health and of possible impending failures.

[None of the above]

Thanks vapilot2004...........

I took your advice and downloaded the HDD Diagnostic prog, and it reports back that all is sweetness and light! I've waited a day or two before replying to see if anything developed but in that time the machine hasn't uttered a single untoward noise. As stated above, everything - and I do mean EVERYTHING - is backed up by duplicate means just in case.
I am about to invoke the 'working well, leave it alone' clause! :ok:

Thanks for your advice,

N o t a

[BOAC]

May be a coincidence but I have had 2 Maxtor drives fail, one just out of guarantee and one new. The second, from Ebuyer (UK) was confirmed u/s and replaced immediately. Excellent RMA service, posting costs and all refunded. First failure resulted in a loud head clacking and no seek of files. Second showed up as 'failing' on Maxtor's own test programme (downloadable on their site).

I am just a bit wary now of Maxtor (Diamond Max)! There are one or two web forums which say the same.

[vapilot2004]

Glad to be of some small assistance N o t a. Cheers !