Member Avatar for erniestl

I run a 2.6 ghz celeron,2 gig memory,400 gig harddrive,windows xp home
The problem I am having is there are timme my pc will sound like the harddrive rocker arms crashing and it will freeze the pc. I have replaced the harddrive twice now and it does the same thing. I am wondering if this could be a cpu problem or motherboard problem or memory problem? Is there something out that I can test this to find the proble. I would hate to replace all of them and findout it was something else
Thanks
ernie

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A concise expert summary and step-by-step diagnostic plan. Immediate backup of any important files is essential: repeated clicking from the drive area plus system freezes most often points to a failing hard drive (mechanical actuator or stalled heads), but a bad SATA/power cable, weak PSU, or a failing motherboard SATA controller can produce identical symptoms. The goal is to isolate the failing component with the fewest replacements.

  • Backup: copy critical data to an external USB drive or network location before further testing.
  • Localize the noise: with the case open (ESD precautions), listen to identify whether the sound is definitely the drive or a nearby fan/PSU.
  • Quick swaps: change the SATA data cable, use a different SATA port, and move the drive to a different PSU power connector (as suggested by ).
  • SMART and vendor tests: run a SMART check (CrystalDiskInfo or smartctl) and then a manufacturer short/long drive test (Seagate/WD tools). SMART attributes like reallocated sectors or current pending sectors are strong indicators of imminent failure.
  • Cross-test on another machine or via a USB-to-SATA adapter: if the same clicking and failures follow the drive, the drive is bad. If the problem stops, the fault is likely the original PC (PSU, cabling, or motherboard).
  • If freezes continue with the suspect drive removed, focus on PSU and motherboard: test voltages or swap in a known-good PSU, and inspect motherboard capacitors for bulging or leakage.

Additional checks: review Windows Event Viewer for disk I/O warnings (Event IDs such as 7, 11 or 51), run CHKDSK /R if the drive is still readable, and run MemTest86+ to rule out RAM-induced corruption. ’s point about the PSU/fan and ’s advice to monitor temps are both valid — overheating speeds failure but clicking itself is mechanical. Follow an ordered troubleshooting path: backup → SMART/vendor tests → cable/port swap → cross-test on another PC → PSU swap → replace failing part. If repeated clicks persist, stop using the drive to avoid further damage; consider professional recovery for critical data.

Recommended Answers

All 15 Replies

Member Avatar for rch1231

It could be the CPU or Power Supply fan bearing going out.... Try pulling the cover off so you can see inside and track the sound down to its source next time it happens.

Member Avatar for Rik_

Is it a PC or a laptop?

Member Avatar for erniestl

Is it a PC or a laptop?

It is a pc

Member Avatar for Rik_

If the sound appears to be coming from the Power Supply Unit then replace it. They don't cost much these days!

Member Avatar for erniestl

I keep the cover off all the time. I do have 3 other harddrives but one is not hooked up (no power)it is just taking space.I have a 2 cd/dvd running on a 480 watt power supply. I did hear the noise coming from the hardrive area. My question could this be a over heating harddrives or the power is low. I had this harddrive replaced twice keep getting the same problem.
Thanks
Ernie

Member Avatar for Rik_

It could easily be either!

Member Avatar for Michael Truman

I suggest you to replace the power cable which connected to this hard-disk, replace it with the power of CDROM or with a free cable (if you have one).
Sometimes the connectors inside the socket of these cables wants to be cleaned and tided well.

Member Avatar for erniestl

I did the flip SATA power cables.My main harddrive is a sata..It is still making the noise and freezes the computer.

Member Avatar for Rik_

ave a look at event manager to see if that gives any clues. Google for event viewer if you don't know ow to use it!

Member Avatar for erniestl

This is what is in Application
Error 1/2/2011 5:18:54 PM Application Hang (101) 1002 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:23 PM hpqcxs08 None 0 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:17 PM avg9emc None 1 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:00:42 PM HPSLPSVC None 0 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:00:37 PM SecurityCenter None 1800 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:00:34 PM YahooAUService None 0 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:00:17 PM hpqddsvc None 0 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:00:12 PM ATI Smart None 105 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/1/2011 2:24:27 PM hpqcxs08 None 0 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/1/2011 2:24:18 PM avg9emc None 1 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/1/2011 2:23:59 PM HPSLPSVC None 0 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/1/2011 2:23:52 PM SecurityCenter None 1800 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/1/2011 2:23:47 PM YahooAUService None 0 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/1/2011 2:23:41 PM hpqddsvc None 0 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/1/2011 2:23:37 PM ATI Smart None 105 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Warning 1/1/2011 2:21:25 PM Userenv None 1517 SYSTEM ERNIE-DESKTOP

This is from event viewer system

Information 1/2/2011 4:01:59 PM Service Control Manager None 7036 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:50 PM Service Control Manager None 7035 ernie ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:50 PM Service Control Manager None 7036 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:35 PM Service Control Manager None 7036 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:30 PM Service Control Manager None 7036 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:30 PM Service Control Manager None 7035 SYSTEM ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:28 PM Service Control Manager None 7036 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:28 PM Service Control Manager None 7035 SYSTEM ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:27 PM Service Control Manager None 7036 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:26 PM Service Control Manager None 7036 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:25 PM Service Control Manager None 7035 SYSTEM ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:25 PM Service Control Manager None 7035 SYSTEM ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:24 PM Service Control Manager None 7036 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:24 PM Service Control Manager None 7035 SYSTEM ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:24 PM Service Control Manager None 7036 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:23 PM Service Control Manager None 7036 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 4:01:21 PM Service Control Manager None 7035 SYSTEM ERNIE-DESKTOP
Warning 1/2/2011 4:01:12 PM disk None 51 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Error 1/2/2011 4:01:12 PM ultra None 9 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Warning 1/2/2011 4:00:18 PM disk None 51 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Error 1/2/2011 4:00:18 PM ultra None 9 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Warning 1/2/2011 3:59:46 PM ati2mtag LCD 48137 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Error 1/2/2011 3:59:46 PM ati2mtag GCO 44044 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Error 1/2/2011 3:59:46 PM ati2mtag GCO 44044 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 3:59:52 PM eventlog None 6005 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 3:59:52 PM eventlog None 6009 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 3:55:13 PM eventlog None 6006 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Information 1/2/2011 3:54:07 PM Service Control Manager None 7036 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Warning 1/2/2011 4:02:58 AM W32Time None 36 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
Warning 1/2/2011 12:33:52 AM ftdisk Disk 57 N/A ERNIE-DESKTOP
I don't know about any of these errors

Member Avatar for erniestl

Here is the temps I got

Member Avatar for erniestl

CPU
Low 73F
High 122F

System
Low 105F
High 110F

C drive
Low 122F
High 122F

CPU Fan
1834 RPM

I let it log this for about 5 mins
Ernie

Member Avatar for caperjack

your hdd is running 40 deg hotter than mine is but the othere's seem normal,or same as mine anyway

Member Avatar for SarahRachel01

possibly hard drive thats u it freeze

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