Ticking

Hello
I just began to hear a ticking sound from within the desktop tower. It is only now and then and not very loud. I put a new PSU in about 2 weeks ago but have heard no noise till now. I heard a failing HDD once and I think it is that but am unsure. Iran Dell DX , Speccyy and check disc- all say the system and hard rive are OK but I know these tests can be wrong. I have SMART on my Seagate drive but I don't know how to use it.
I guess I could get a new drive at the store near me and if the ticking persists they say I can return it in 30 days.
What would you do?
TY
Peter

 

Hi my friend , you could run this

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/hard_disk_sentinel.html

checking Performance/Health of your disk

 

I have run "diskdrive get status" [I forgot the prefix] which said no issue, ran the Dell DX = OK. I ran check disc which said OK also.
Would you think I should also run this or is are the bases covered with my tests.

 

When drives start ticking, it is typically the R/W head hitting the end-stops trying to find the boot sector. Disk drive analysis programs cannot see this problem, though they may report excessive seek times.

You need to verify it really is a disk drive. This really can only be done by sticking your head inside the case and listening for the source of the sound. Some times you can feel the ticking by resting your finger on the drive. But note this sound could also be coming from a fan blade hitting a cable.

 

Hello
I have checked that no cables or ties are hitting blades. I was in the side and listened carefully. It seemed to be coming from the area of the video card or middle of he case but I cannot be certain.
I used a wooden spoon to my ear from each component like we did with cars in the day for engine noises.
It comes in episodes of 5 minutes on and a long time off. It resembles Morse code.
I got a new monitor about 2 months ago and a new PSU about 2 weeks ago. I have tightened everything and all drivers are up to date.
I do have a Macrium image or 2 and a stick from Tech Bench .WIM if I need it. I also have a Windows WinPE stick.
I do have the discs you make when you get the PC which was 7 and now am running 10. I would hate to regress.
Can a board make this ticking?
I had an issue with NVidia and flickering if you recall which has subsided now and wonder if the card is heating up then when the fan comes on it ticks. I could replace it and use the integrated card if this was advisable but all tests are negative-I understand that these tests are not reliable. I tested voltage with this new PSU and Speccy reports low readings but we went though this before about Speccy and reliability..
I have read where some people begin replacing bits at a time till they replaced it all and still are plagued. That's why I am trying to avoid chasing my tail. All tests point to the HDD being in good shape S.M.A.R.T., check disc and Dell DX. It reports the system is good too. There have been no failures. I wonder if this new PSU's fan is the culprit.
The trouble is not being tested like a tie touching a blade.
I have heard this sound before in my lifetime with various components and it was either a bad bearing[but that was regular constant tick] or a bad HDD. Is there way to see if the PSU has a bad bearing? Swap out the old I guess.
When I just woke this up, it ticked for a few minutes than has not done it for about 15 minutes.
I am at a loss but may try the integrated card next then replace the old PSU..

 

I would recommend on getting a new hard drive.It diffently sounds like the HDD is going to go bad.I would recommend on making a backup copy of your OS on a flash drive.To help save your info all your paper work and games and music.

But all so this could be a fan going bad as well some fans make a ticking noise if there is to much dust in them.If you have an air compresser take an air tool that blows out air and blow out all the fans and wipe them with a damp towle to clear off the dust.Make sure when you use a air compresser is to hold the fan still.Too much speed on the fan might cause it not to work.I do this with all my computers once a month.

I would buy a flash drive that at least 65 gigs to hold all your back up's and windows.Or just buy an external 1 TB drive and you will be set on storage.Most places will sell one for like 60 or so dollars.

 

I have a nice couple of Macrium images and also a disc .WIM from Tech Bench.
I just opened it on the bench and no noise neither any loose ties.
I watched fans pinning and checked for loose cables .When I tested it the ticking came back. I unplugged the video card to bypass that but it still ticked. Doesn't it sound like the hard drive?

 

In over ten years of looking, I have not found a better utility for hard drives than HDTune. Get the free trial and run it on that hard disk drive. Look at the Health tab and the data column, especially for (05) and (C5). If either is not zero, the drive is failing (period). http://www.hdtune.com

 

I'm sorry, I thought I reported back that I installed a new, on sale, WD 1TB drive for $39 and after defaulting the BIOS settings, recovered a recent macrium image. All is running well.
The stuttering/flickering monitor issue is well documented when you google it. Apparently some Video cards were affected by this OS. Mine is very slight thank goodness..
At least the HDD is quiet as can be.

 

I am glad you got it sorted out and thanks for the followup.

 

Well Bill, I was able to get up and running, again, b/c of the help and advice from all of you. It is certainly not unappreciated.

 

At least you got it to run again.Try reinstalling a new hard drive in a laptop some day lol.Took me 6 days to get mine working again.

 

My wife's laptop is next.
I do have tutorial on you tube for her model.
It looks like a very hard task.

 

Just got to watch out for the Cd rom drive in laptops most of them are bolted down and are hard to get too.

 

Hers became disengaged and I had a heck of a time with it.
It's ok for the time being.

 

Hello
I waited a week to be sure of this post. Both the flickering and ticking has gone since I replaced the hard drive.
So thank you for the help.
Peter