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Tantawi

Dec 17 2004, 09:21

Dear friends,

I'm writing this thread based on my long personal experience with HDDs failures, and after I saw much threads about that "Click of death" in neowin and other forums, and most members simply reply: Your HD is dead, get a replacement!

Most of us believe that the important thing in this case isn't the hardware, but the data on it, but in this guide, I'm listing ways to recover the data from those clicking drivers, even fixing it at home, using certain methods, and you get 100% working drive again for coming years!

IMPORTANT NOTE: In this guide, I'm assuming that clicking sound is happened suddenly, not after a physical shock to the drive, in 90% of such case "a shock", something is broken in the HDD, and it can't be repaired using this guide, only a special data recovery center may do it for you, for a bunches of $s.

Ok lets get started, let's list common causes for "HDD clicking sound":

- Bad power supply or power connector.
- Defected Motherboard.
- Defected HD's board (that green board on it's back.

1- Bad power connector
This is the most common case, the power cable that connect the drive to the power supply is defected, or the power supply itself is dying, simply, the best solution is to swap power connectors, or replace the power supply. Do not ever try to repair the power connector because you may cause further damages.

2- Defected Motherboard
This is rarely happen, but if your motherboard have some problems, it may lead to that clicking of HDD, and you wont be able to boot using that drive, the best solution is to put your drive in a friend's PC or something, if it works there, then it's your motherboard. and you need to replace it.

3- Defected HD's board
Actually, this is the main point that made me write such guide, in most cases, unreliable power supply or a case of sudden, the board of the HDD fails. AFAIK, it can't be repaired, so what can you do?

Simply, find a physically defected drive of the EXACT SAME MODEL of yours, and using a screwdriver, get the board out of that drive, and replace it in your drive, and enjoy your drive working perfectly again! I'm assuming that you can find that exact board somewhere (from a friend's damaged HD, repair shop... etc), if you can't find any, and you think that your data is so important, just buy a new EXACT SAME MODEL hard disk like yours, and do the job with the new board!

Ok we're done! I heard that for physically defected hard drives, you can get it to work again by putting it in a freezer for some time then connecting it, I can't confirm if this works or not, because I didn't try it personally, but I experienced all of the methods above, and remember, it's NOT for physically defected drives!

Cheers

Optimash Prime

Dec 17 2004, 10:25

QUOTE

1- Bad power connector
This is the most common case, the power cable that connect the drive to the power supply is defected, or the power supply itself is dying, simply, the best solution is to swap power connectors, or replace the power supply. Do not ever try to repair the power connector because you may cause further damages.

with this though your machine would freeze because the alctual drive will be re-booting. Due to loss of power.

bush

Dec 17 2004, 10:37

what if newly aquired hdd does this click-click-click sounds and freezes computer, when i connect cd-rom. probably not the right place where to ask

Keldyn

Dec 17 2004, 10:39

Never, EVER do what this kid did. It is so stupid it hurts.

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=258035&hl=

gendi

Dec 17 2004, 10:39

thanks for that my hdd just started clicking

Tantawi

Dec 17 2004, 11:12

QUOTE(Keldyn @ Dec 17 2004, 10:39)

Never, EVER do what this kid did. It is so stupid it hurts.

http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=258035&hl=
[right][snapback]585115992[/snapback][/right]

IF, you meant by the kid is me, then you didn't understand a letter of my post because I never said open the HD! I said replace its board, which can be replaced easily without actually openning the drive!

Keldyn

Dec 17 2004, 11:14

QUOTE(Tantawi @ Dec 17 2004, 20:42)

My post had absolutely nothing to do with you. I apologise if offence was taken.

oDD

Dec 17 2004, 11:29

QUOTE

In my experience this is the most common also. I went thought two dodgy power supplies, replacing each when the HDD's would randomly wind down (click) while using my computer. I finally learnt a lesson and bought an antec true blue 480w. Hasn't happened since.

QUOTE

Ok we're done! I heard that for physically defected hard drives, you can get it to work again by putting it in a freezer for some time then connecting it, I can't confirm if this works or not, because I didn't try it personally, but I experienced all of the methods above, and remember, it's NOT for physically defected drives!

The freezer method DOES work, but once you do it, back up quickly because you don't get a second chance. My mate has used this method successfully numerous times on customers HDD's.

Cheers for the guide, a lot of people should be aware of this before giving up on their HDD's.

Detroit

Dec 17 2004, 11:58

Hmm.. this clicking noise..is it like a someone swallowing except really loud?

shuangyefei

Dec 17 2004, 12:00

good guide,if there is a problem like this on my harddisk,I 'll give it a try.thank you!

Elite_graphix

Dec 17 2004, 12:14

and remember kids..if your hdd is clicking - freeze it ...

Enigma-Penguin

Dec 17 2004, 12:33

Nice Guide Tantawi,

Maybe you could include some images for people at what to look for with defective ribbons and power connectors (I remember seeing a few pictures of burnt out headers and tips about various programs on some sites), It also would be good to point out the fact that alot of these "ticks" are different .

there are certainly things like S.M.A.R.T and various drive tools to help you before the event occurs

Prevention of data loss and proper back up methods are a big part of this

(and for people with seagate drives many of them will actually make a beep when disconnected from the power.)

Osiris

Dec 19 2004, 00:31

WHats this clicking sound?
Ive had HDDs die on me, one just a few months back.
I didnt get any click of death

darkhooda

Dec 19 2004, 02:18

I think I have #3. I've heard my 4GB HDD on my old computer click annoyingly for around umm, three or four years. But it also could be #2, because I've had the motherboard for seven years, although I did clean it out. It couldn't be the PSU because I've just got a new one after the old one broke.
And by the way, although my sound does no harm, when it's swapping RAM, it clicks sooo much and is so annoying! I think I'll go crazy soon, but luckily, I'm getting anew computer, yay!

Techo

Dec 19 2004, 02:49

Nice list Tantawi

I'll just add a few more points of how important it is to backup the data as soon as possible.

I've had experience with at least 30 HD's so far, not all mine but friend's aswell.

Some hard drives make a certain single click noise when the PC boots up, no biggie. But if hear a new sound or repetitive clickings, that's certainly not good.

My advice, the first time you hear a click, drop everything and backup immediately, to another HD if possible because you never know the problem if exists can really detoriate rather quickly. First copy the most important files on the HD, then creating an Image of the drive is best or do a drive to drive copy to a new drive, so you don't have to go and re-install everything or risk chance of forgetting something. Do a HD scandisk full surface scan, if no bad sectors are found, yes it might be the power cable to the HD or a bad connection, unplug and re-plug all HD cables (that has actually helped once), or replace the cables. If all is good you can also defrag the drive so it won't work as hard.

If bad sectors are found and you hear more clicking, with a backup of the original drive on some other drive or media. Say you have a spare HD which you copied the image to (Symantec Ghost is very recommended though there are free utils), or drive down to the store and buy a new HD and make an image(or drive to drive copy), now consider sending the original drive to the manufacturer for a replacement, I mean why worry get nice new HD instead. You'll get a free(you pay to ship the drive) replacement if the drive is less than 3 years old, depending on the manf. of course. Goto their website and get an RMA, they'll give you all the info you need to know. Before sending out the drive, format and write 0's and 1's to the drive(special utils that actually erase the data for sure) . Many people actually think just format or fdisk erases the data for sure, not really.

Just a note to those newbies out there, never try to open the HD casing so the platter is revealed! First off , you void the warranty and If a single speck of dust lands on the platter, good luck and don't blow to get rid of it

QUOTE(Tantawi @ Dec 17 2004, 09:21)

Dear friends,

I'm writing this thread based on my long personal experience with HDDs failures, and after I saw much threads about that "Click of death" in neowin and other forums, and most members simply reply: Your HD is dead, get a replacement!

Most of us believe that the important thing in this case isn't the hardware, but the data on it, but in this guide, I'm listing ways to recover the data from those clicking drivers, even fixing it at home, using certain methods, and you get 100% working drive again for coming years!

IMPORTANT NOTE: In this guide, I'm assuming that clicking sound is happened suddenly, not after a physical shock to the drive, in 90% of such case "a shock", something is broken in the HDD, and it can't be repaired using this guide, only a special data recovery center may do it for you, for a bunches of $s.
Ok lets get started, let's list common causes for "HDD clicking sound":

- Bad power supply or power connector.
- Defected Motherboard.
- Defected HD's board (that green board on it's back.

1- Bad power connector
This is the most common case, the power cable that connect the drive to the power supply is defected, or the power supply itself is dying, simply, the best solution is to swap power connectors, or replace the power supply. Do not ever try to repair the power connector because you may cause further damages.

2- Defected Motherboard
This is rarely happen, but if your motherboard have some problems, it may lead to that clicking of HDD, and you wont be able to boot using that drive, the best solution is to put your drive in a friend's PC or something, if it works there, then it's your motherboard. and you need to replace it.

3- Defected HD's board
Actually, this is the main point that made me write such guide, in most cases, unreliable power supply or a case of sudden, the board of the HDD fails. AFAIK, it can't be repaired, so what can you do?

Simply, find a physically defected drive of the EXACT SAME MODEL of yours, and using a screwdriver, get the board out of that drive, and replace it in your drive, and enjoy your drive working perfectly again! I'm assuming that you can find that exact board somewhere (from a friend's damaged HD, repair shop... etc), if you can't find any, and you think that your data is so important, just buy a new EXACT SAME MODEL hard disk like yours, and do the job with the new board!

Ok we're done! I heard that for physically defected hard drives, you can get it to work again by putting it in a freezer for some time then connecting it, I can't confirm if this works or not, because I didn't try it personally, but I experienced all of the methods above, and remember, it's NOT for physically defected drives!

Cheers

[right][snapback]585115815[/snapback][/right]

altezza

Dec 19 2004, 02:56

Clicking in your hd means your hd is closer to death. Backup your data to new hd as soon as possible rather than losing data...can happen at anytime.

Techo

Dec 19 2004, 02:56

QUOTE(Osiris @ Dec 19 2004, 00:31)

WHats this clicking sound?
Ive had HDDs die on me, one just a few months back.
I didnt get any click of death

[right][snapback]585124581[/snapback][/right]

Perhaps it was a problem with the HD's main board. I've had that happen, where someone screwed up the HD's power connecter.

Fonze

Dec 19 2004, 03:11

Am I the only one that hasn't had a HD go bad on me? Have a computer here that is probably 6 years old and it's still running on the original hd. I've been running a raid 0 setup using 2 fairly old hds, maybe 3-4 years, and they are still going strong. What causes the click of death? Frequent use? heat? excesive defrags and formats?

Jasur

Dec 19 2004, 03:12

Hmm

Most of what you say is just common sense.

And as for opening up the actual HD, some HD manufacturers have special screws in which a normal PK or Phillips head will not fit. Is almost like a T6 screwdriver needed.

And some people may have old HD which may have to be acquired from ebay or alike if they were to switch boards.

Or even better, back up your data via DVDrom or even CD roms and also try Norton Ghost dos and use its high compression and burn to disks a image of the drive in question.

Maybe you shouldve mentioned that.

vjaquarian_14

Dec 19 2004, 08:13

same with me too

Osiris

Dec 25 2004, 11:13

Well touch wood boys and girls, no sooner did I make this post then a cpl days later what do I hear one early morn.....the clicking of the HDD. My apologies too, I have heard this sound before when my last HDD died.

Now given that this is the 2nd hdd on its way to death in about a year, im inclined to believe its the motherboard or powersupply. Is there any specific way I can check this really? I suppose all I can do is change the power connector or supply, and if it still does it, assume its the motherboard?

I mean two in a year, from different manufactuers too, im inclined to believe its not the hdds themselves.

soldier1st

Dec 29 2004, 10:09

i had some clicking sound,only reason i had it before i replaced it was cuzz i kept hot swapping the drive out then on the 3rd time it screwed up,killed my 2000 partition and crippled my xp partition so out of 80GB i was left with 62GB and clicking sound,took it to a fellow i get stuff from and he said it's something wrong with the drive and maybe send it back(where i got it from i would have to travel 8 hours to get to where i got it and i don't even drive and i doubt there is still a warrenty on it)

rickwhois

Dec 29 2004, 13:39

reminds me of my maxtor 200gb drive that suddenly stopped working. no click, i had just plugged it into my xox, formatted it, and then locked disc, then it froze and the drive never worked again, just makes a odd beep(like in a video gameor something) i put it in the freezer but havent tried it again.

Osiris

Dec 29 2004, 14:44

Well dont you think its about ready to be tried again?

soldier1st

Dec 30 2004, 04:42

that western digital 80GB drive that lost 20GB is still working just can't take it out or anymore drives

Klassik

Dec 30 2004, 16:12

I've also found that the clicking can be caused by faulty EIDE cables. I had this problem switched the cables and it stopped.

rossco_2004

Dec 30 2004, 17:00

Good post.
COuld come in handy later in life.

Can someone explain how the freezer thing works?

Nelsinho

Dec 31 2004, 07:36

hmm, I agree in part, but when hdd starts clicking definately is your dead, is one internal failure caused by broke of arm read /write head so is not possible hdd works again, only in manufacturer's lab normally

angelinathio

Jan 3 2005, 16:51

I've personally lost 3 hdd. actually 5 hdd but i recovered 2 and trying hard to recover the other three.
I have all those family photos in it. it's a treasure to me but...maybe don't worth a cent to others.
my first hhd just snap and don't react at all, after i got a new one, i try all possible method i knew and finally i realised that the cable ( i have a very curious mind and plug and unplug way too often) is loose and actually the little pins are shaking, so, in order to recover my hdd, i ---don't laugh-- use soldering and 'mend' it. and guess what it worked. i copied all the datas and let my young boy to use it with an old pc to my surprised it's still working till now almost four years since i recorvered it.
the second recovering is a miracle. i don't know how i do it but it just work. actually, i ---i know i am not a pro--- accidentally dropped it about 1 meter from a cabinet to the floor. and it just don't start any more. i tried and honestly, prayed a little. i even offer to pay for recovery as i have my dear mother's photos in it. i never learn my lesson and still, no back up...>sigh< .
so, almost disappointed and giving up, my son told me to cure it his way, after all it's dead. so, before we annouce it offically dead, he exchange the power supply, and he can detect the hdd, with lots of bad sectors, i know all of you will know. actually, at that time, i don't even know what is bad sector. but miracles happened and i recovered most of the photos, not all, but at least most of my precious ones. and right after that the hdd is confirmed dead and i know i am lucky.
now the other three hdd, i still haven learn my lesson<<sigh>> one of it had clicking sounds for several days... stupid me!!! and the other two just gone suddenly. really suddenly because i was working with it one minutes and reboot and just can't detect hdd. any idea what cause that? i'm sure it's my fault at first but now, after reading all your post, i guess i am not lonely. please...give me an idea... i hate the soldering idea and my 'brilliant' son is not available. please help.... thanks for reading.

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