I just installed a refurbished 16TB internal Toshiba HDD in an older PC for the first time, and I'm a bit concerned about a tapping and clicking noise it makes during read and write operations. I'm worried it could be the 'click of death'. However, a CrystalDiskInfo scan indicates that the drive is in good health. Also, since I bought this HDD from a reputable reseller, if something were to go wrong, should I reach out to Toshiba or the reseller? I'm really new to this whole setup.
3 Answers
Tapping and clicking noises are pretty normal for hard drives. Instead of stressing over it, check out some videos that show how hard drives sound during normal operation versus those that are failing. You'll get a clearer picture. You'll be able to tell if it's something serious or just typical drive behavior.
The 'click of death' usually happens at regular intervals along with complete read/write failures, so this is likely not that. However, refurbished Toshiba drives can be hit or miss. If you still have a return policy, reach out to the seller for replacements. If they won't cooperate but the drive is still under warranty, then contact Toshiba. Hard drives can make noise, but without hearing it, it's tough to say for sure.
I shared a video showcasing the sounds my drive makes on my profile. So far, it reads and writes fine, but I've only been using it for about a day. Like others mentioned, it could just be vibrations between the HDD and the enclosure. Try to see if it gets quieter if you hold it or give it a softer base underneath.

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