Noise from under the hood/Hard drive ?

Greetings :major:

Just started, hard drive making noise when booting up, opening up a MS file, or opening a browser. Ran iobit toolbox utility to check for bad sectors, none. I have a Dell latitude.

This just started happening last week. No knew hardware or any recent downloads. Keep the system clean and defrag regularly. Last week it only occurred a couple of times, but not regularly, only a couple of 'scratchy sounds when booting up'. Tonight seems to make the 'hard-drive' hard shift sound/scratch upon any task initiation.

Can somene please suggest a 'download' to check the hard drive/hardware major download center). Please advise when able.

Thank you!
snapper

 

Go to the HDD makers site and get Data Lifeguard or equivalent. It sure does sound like the death throes of a hard drive. Back up your important stuff first though.

 

Greetings AugieDoggie

Thank you for the rapid reply. (Yikes!!) Just backed up my docs., will be looking into a new 'referb' dell on Monday. And yes, I shall follow with your suggestion on Data Lifeguard. If I have any question, may I please seek your assistance again? Much appreciate you time and reply!
snapper