HD starting to go?

[MadMikeSS]

I just got my T23, I'm very happy with it, it's used of course and that doesn't bother me at all. I didn't expect a perfect machine when I bought it. I haven't had any issue with it at all, apart from general use I notice the mouse hanging as I move it across the screen from time to time which coincides with the HD making a clicking access noise for a second and then going away. I don't notice the system hanging while loading programs or webpages or anything else so far. But if I sit and just watch the machine doing nothing I can hear the HD making the clicking access noise and it goes away just as quick. I've been around computers long enough to suspect that the hard drive might be on it's way out. I've already ordered an 80GB 7200rpm Hitachi drive to replace it ( I just wanted something bigger and faster ). My old compaq armada has a 10gb HD in that is definitely on it's last legs and essentially does the same thing, however when it does it, it freezes the computer for a good minute or two. This one just gives a quick access sound and that's it, but it doesn't sound healthy. From the experienced ones here with Thinkpads do you think I'm correct that the drive is probably starting to fail? I have run the hitachi drive tests and it passed them all. So at the moment I think it's gong to survive until I make the switch to the new drive.

[christopher_wolf]

I had that happen to me on an HP and a Compaq; if it goes, whirrrr-tick-tick-tick-kllllictttt, repeat...Then it has problems; SMART doesn't always detect this, but have you run the SMART utility on it?

[MadMikeSS]

whirrrr-tick-tick-tick-kllllictttt, repeat...

That's probably a close description of what it does. But it does very quickly, only lasts a second.

SMART doesn't always detect this, but have you run the SMART utility on it?

I ran all the Hitachi utilities and it passed, but maybe I missed the SMART utilities.

[Kyocera]

I'd try running the Hitachi fitness test a couple of times at least. If it is making odd noises that would be an indication to get a new drive ready. Start pulling files off for safe storage.