Hard Disk Clicking

[thesystem]

My hard disk has been making a clicking noise when accessing certain files (or possibly high disk usage?), and randomly while in use. Usually, it makes only one click at a time, but sometimes it will do multiple clicks. There is also a snapping/grinding noise, which is louder, and happens just as frequently. The computer runs very slowly while it is clicking or snapping, often taking several minutes just to open a window. Using Internet Explorer and doing tasks that don't use the hard disk a lot work fine, but programs that have high disk usage such as Steam seem to cause it. It seldom occurs when booting. CHKDSK showed 0 errors, and did not cause any clicking/snapping.

It will go through periods of silence and clicking, possibly due to a background process accessing the disk. Disk repair programs have no effect; it is almost certainly a mechanical or electrical problem. I have already backed up all the files I needed.

Computer: Windows 7 HP Compaq Elite 8300 Ultra-Slim Desktop

Hard Disk: Hitachi HTS725032A7E630 - 300GB

Yes, I am certain the noise is coming from the disk, and yes, I am aware that I will eventually have to replace it.

What part of the disk specifically is having problems, and is there a way to repair it to extend its life until I can get a new one?

 

[clutchc]

There's no repairing the hermetically sealed HDD for the average user. I recommend you start looking for a new HDD. And make a backup (disk image) of your old drive asap.
Now would be a good time to consider moving to a SSD...

 

[thesystem]

There's no repairing the hermetically sealed HDD for the average user. I recommend you start looking for a new HDD. And make a backup (disk image) of your old drive asap.
Now would be a good time to consider moving to a SSD...

I already said I got a backup, and I already said I was aware that it will probably fail soon. And I know that there sometimes ARE ways to repair it, depending on what exactly the problem is, which is what I asked.

 

[clutchc]

There's no repairing the hermetically sealed HDD for the average user. I recommend you start looking for a new HDD. And make a backup (disk image) of your old drive asap.
Now would be a good time to consider moving to a SSD...

I already said I got a backup, and I already said I was aware that it will probably fail soon. And I know that there sometimes ARE ways to repair it, depending on what exactly the problem is, which is what I asked.

No need to get testy. I'm only trying to help. And I can only go by your description of the problem. But it sounds like the "click of death" that commonly happens when the read/write head cannot settle on a track and sector. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbq8vfs1wYY
It keeps banging its heads against the stop to re-sync itself. Freezing the drive for long periods of time was a common "remedy" but seldom worked. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbR5wMbcwTI

 

[thesystem]

I guess what I'm asking then is what would be causing it to fail to read the disk sector. Already watched both of those videos, I think I know more about it than you think I do. (not trying to insult you, I should have been more specific)

 

[rkzhao]

Clicking could be from physical issues or controller issues I guess. A controller problem might be repairable by replacing the board.

A loud grinding noise could be from head crashing on disk. Any damage done by that is not going to be repairable.

Since you already have it backed up and it's only a 300Gb drive, regardless of whether it's possible, it's probably not worth the cost and effort to try and repair the drive.