Hard drive "scratching" sound

**pcuser42** · 20-07-2008, 07:30 PM

I have a 20GB hard drive which I've been using as an external drive. The drive spins up fine, but when I try to access it a "scratching" sound comes from it, and Windows freezes.

I know it's a drive failure, but what exactly is wrong?

**Speedy Gonzales** · 20-07-2008, 07:46 PM

Check it with whatever hdd tool from the manufacturer

**beeswax34** · 20-07-2008, 09:44 PM

Scratching? Could be the head actually rubbing against the platter which as you can imagine is very, very un-good.

**pcuser42** · 21-07-2008, 06:28 PM

I might open it up and have a look, there's nothing vital on there.

**Agent_24** · 21-07-2008, 06:40 PM

Is it an IBM Deathstar?

**utopian201** · 21-07-2008, 06:41 PM

you do realise that the moment you open it up, the drive will become useless. If you actually still want to use the drive, i agree with speedy, use the manufacturer's utility, or another utility which checks the SMART info (eg hddinfo i think)

**Agent_24** · 21-07-2008, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by utopian201

you do realise that the moment you open it up, the drive will become useless. If you actually still want to use the drive, i agree with speedy, use the manufacturer's utility, or another utility which checks the SMART info (eg hddinfo i think)

I think the drive is already useless, if it's making a strange noise it didn't make before - which means something is damaged mechanically (likely the heads contacting platters)

No software will be able to fix this, so it doesn't matter what happens, the drive is already stuffed.

Provided the problem has caused enough damage for SMART to notice, the only thing software will tell you is that the drive is failing (which should be obvious already from the noise)

**pcuser42** · 21-07-2008, 06:55 PM

It's not a Deathstar, but it has IBM Deskstar on it.

I know it will become useless - there's nothing vital on there I can't replace.

**Agent_24** · 21-07-2008, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by pcuserwinvista

It's not a Deathstar, but it has IBM Deskstar on it.

I know it will become useless - there's nothing vital on there I can't replace.

IBM Deskstar = Deathstar (because they are notorious for failing) That drive is definitely screwed.

Do a google search, you will find out how bad they are - in fact it's on here:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/12577..._all_time.html

left running for long enough your drive should eventually look like this:
http://www.astro.ufl.edu/~ken/crash/