ticking sound

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peterr

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I have a ticking sound from within the desktop case. It sounds like HD failure I experienced years ago with another PC. Something like a sewing machine but only intermittently and not as hard or loud.
I ran the Dell diagnostics(full for 2 hours) which said all was OK including the hard drive. After the test the ticking as gone away.
Speccy reports all is good.
I don't believe that things fix themselves.
However, if it is not the hard drive, what else could I look at and how? I recently installed a PSU.
My desktop is 4 1/2 years old and i could get a drive for $34 at a store near me but I have to all to see what the return policy is as soon as they open.

I think the test temporarily stopped the noise on the hard drive but the drive will fail; that is based upon a novice's feeling.
I do have current image on an external drive.
It is a macrium stick and I was wondering if I just recover as always or if I have to format the new drive, if that is the case.
TY
Peter
P.S. Is there another way to test the hard drive with any accuracy? I have read software testing is not accurate.

I just called the store and there is a 30 day return for cash - after is Manufacturer 3 year.
 
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Peter that sound could also be a cooling fan. Usually happens before the fan fails. Is the sound louder when the case is open? If it starts again you might be able to tell if one of the fans is vibrating, simply by looking or touching the enclosure around the fan blades.
 
I just got a new PSU about a week ago but heard no noises till now. It is the same - like a tick tick tick only now and then. I'll keep an ear out but
I am not sure I can differentiate sounds and devices.
The Dell DX and Speccy and also check disc say OK to the hard drive.
The noise seems to come from within the case but there are a lot of things in there and the sound is not part specific.
I don't know if I should return the PSU $20 each return, or try a new hard drive to return if noise persists.
 
Just in case it is the hard drive, make sure you have all your files backed up. Also, make sure you have the install disks for your operating system. Most computers these days don't come with the install disks. It's up to the user to make them. There should be a utility in your All Programs to make the disks.
 
This is a bit stressing for me due to my lack of experience with hardware and level of knowledge with software.. I am trying to process what you are telling me and am grateful for your help.
I have images, yes.
I do not have discs for Win 10. I have them for Win 7 which this machine came with. I do have an installation stick from Tech Bench. It is a .WIM file.
I am confused as to whether I should remove the video card that was giving me trouble and seems to have settled in, replace the power supply unit with the old one, or get a new hard drive.
I think you said the PSU does not make noise. if I read that correctly it leaves the hard drive which I can return if the noise persists and the video card I could remove. I have put a wooden spoon to my ear and to a part and nothing stands out. i used to do this with cars years ago to trouble shoot.
The ticking is quite loud now. and constant. It sounds like either a bad bearing or the hard drive.
?to do
 
One thing at a time:

If the video card has "settled in" leave it alone.
No one has tested the old PSU so you don't know if is OK or not. You've made the change and it's working, leave it alone.
If Speccy says the HD is OK it probably is but I don't know if that includes anything beyond data storage, that is are the bearings also OK.
You haven't mentioned anything about the fans, either the ones for cooling the case or the one on top of the CPU. In the last 15 years I have never had a HD fail, but I have had three fans fail, 2 case fans and one CPU fan.
In my earlier post I told you how to check them.
 
Yes Bill, I did tend to the fans. I lightly stopped each very quickly to see if the noise stopped. I did it with the CPU and the case fan. I could not access the graphics card one. I don't know if I can do so with the PSU fan as it seems enclosed?

Importantly, the ticking comes in spurts as though maybe heat is an issue. It sound exactly like Morse code at the old cowboy train station.

I ran the Dell DX, SMART and check disc = HDD + system all OK..

I wonder if the video card fan has a bad bearing although it tested OK? When it is heated and the fan goes on the ?bad bearing sounds like Morse code for a spurt of 4 minutes then stops for a long time.
 
After I wrote I did check it and it was fine - sorry no to get back to you on that.
I may try the integrated card then, if no luck, swap back the old PSU. I cannot think of anything else except the HDD but all tests; S.M.A.R.T, Dell DX and check disc are fine.
 
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?
Would the hard drive make a sound if bench testing as it was quiet all the time it was on the bench?
 
Just to add to the good advice of others:

Hard drive failures usually have more of a 'clicking' sound.
Check out this little video. The sound is heard at the 4:30 mark.
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbq8vfs1wYY


If this isn't the sound you're hearing, check the fans. I don't usually hear ticking sounds from fans. They usually have a grinding noise as the bearings are worn. A ticking sound may be a wire hitting one of the fan blades.
 
No wires or ties near blades. That video is the sound I hear and which I heard years ago when a hard drive failed. Off to the store and thank you..
 
A new one tomorrow - I can get a manufacturer Seagate for $29 or a new Toshiba for $42.
I have had no experience with refurbished.
The tech said it is done by the manufacturer not the store and is therefor reliable.
I will have an extended warranty for 5$ for 2 years and 30 day return for cash.
Which would you get?
Thanks again
Peter
 
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