What exactly is the click of death?

[Barks]

Simple question. I've got an external WD Mybook drive. If I plug it in to the computer windows recognises it but it does not show up in My Computer and diagnostics report some sort of read error. It worked fine 2 hours ago.

On plugging it in, it sounds like it is booting as usual - to the point where Windows would bring up the autorun dialog box. However, it then pauses and makes a high pitched 'rrrrrrrrr' noise three times in a row and then cuts out. The green LED at the front remains on.

Does this mean the disk is screwed. Fortunately I back up all the contents on to another HD but the last time I did this was some time ago and I will lose a lot of music

cheers

 

[Slinky1989]

If it's clicking, usually it's buggered, but sometimes it'll click and still be ok (but it's often it's a sign it's about to go).

It usually suggests a physical problem with the drive (such as the motor that drives the read/write arm).

It's happened to me many times

 

[inph]

Have you tried the WD Data Lifeguard diagnostic software yet?
Think the quick test will show you any obvious SMART errors logged by the drive. I would ensure all the data is safely stored on another media because you drive sounds as if it's failing or about to fail.

The "click of death" phrase stemmed from iomega zip drives/disks who's software used to make a specific clicking sound when they couldnt read from the media inserted. In later years, IBM's "Deathstar" 75GXP exhibited the the same sort of repetitive clicking noises along with the drives failing en mass due to a variety of production/design issues and was also branded with the same phrase.

The actual click is usually caused by the drive heads trying to read or be moved by the drive's retrying software but can also be caused by incorrectly inserted cables and power supply not supplying enough juice.

 

[miniyazz]

There's a small chance it could be a broken circuit board between the HDD and the USB output. If you can't get the drive working, take a couple of flathead screwdrivers and get it out of its case. You'll probably break the external casing (not the insides though) because those MyBooks have a large number of catches holding the sides of the case together, I broke the case getting into mine, but the HDD worked once I removed the circuit board and plugged it internally into my PC. You'll get faster read/writes too because it won't be limited by USB bandwidth; it just won't be as portable, but if it works again it'll be worth it.