Mac mini (late 2012) HDD ticking/clicking noises

That I do have!! It goes out for a split second, then back on. It's random. Should I take it in? Or just deal with it... It's not a huge deal, but seems like even people returning them, the new ones do the same.

I talked to support and a "supervisor". They have not received many calls, but logged my complaint. I'm just going to hang on to it for a while to see if anything develops. If they address its an issue etc, then ill take it in. I have a year warranty, plus ac. So I have plenty of time. I'll be on it for an hour or so with nothing...then a day later it happens once at random..snowy static then back to the display. It's not a huge ordeal to me, but if its a hardware issue then I want to take it in. The Mac minis auto adjust to the screen resolution. If you are switching between like tv or something else, it might do it. That's what I got from the apple guy. We shall see.

Yes.. I listened close and there is a couple ticks, but not that loud. Still pretty quiet will operating.. I'm sure yours is fine, ESP if its a second mini.

The screen is at random. Like I said maybe it could be a software issue. Is just to early to do anything if apple is doing all the things people say on these threads to get to the bottom of it. It's not a real big deal to me. If apple comes out and says its a defect or we can address it with an update, then ill make a decision to swap it or not. I have an opened cases and ill continue to stay researched on it.

I mean random ha...i was on it for a hour and nothing....last night for like 10 minutes and it happened once.

I set up my new Mini last night and then swapped the drive out for an SSD. I believe what you are heaing is the HDD and nothing to worry about. Mine was quite before I swapped the drive but there is ZERO noise from the thing with the SSD in it.

I can report that I have the same problem with my 2.3 Quad i7 1TB model. I noticed that whenever I use the HDD in any way (e.g. opening up apps, copying files to/from it), I hear the noise. I now believe it's the HDD and am thinking of swapping it out with an SSD. Is it possible to install an SSD and the normal 1TB HDD? srpawski, how did you swap out your hdd? could you possibly provide a link to a guide somewhere? 🙂

Yeah, you can put an SSD in it and keep the 1tb stock drive.

You can purchase a data doubler kit from OWC computing for about $50 that allows you to add a second drive. I also used their instruction video on swapping the drives out. The only issue I had was that I could only get one of the two antenna grate screws that screw into the case to line up - we are talking about the 2 most outer screws as there are actually 2 more screws that go into the grate in the center which are actually hard drive mount screws. This is no big deal as it in no way affects the machine, but I simply could not get both to line up. I also purchased my parents a mac mini and did the drive swap on theirs and had the same problem so its not like anything is defective. If you watch the video you will see which two screws I am talking about as they are the same two on the top of the machine that the back is used to secure to the bottom. So instead of having 3 screws to line up and lock the back onto there are now only 2 so it is actually easier IMHO to put the bottom back on the mini.

http://eshop.macsales.com/installvideos/mac_mini2011/

I had relief from this problem when I went to System Preferences > Energy Saver, and then un-checked the box for "Put hard disks to sleep when possible".

That solution (see above) didn't work for very long. The noise seems to be back with a vengeance! It's like a water droplet from a leak in the roof -- intermittent and annoying.

I have a late 2012 MacMini i7 16GB and I put in the doubler kit with a 240GB SSD and the original 1TB 5400 HD. The problem for me was that the new version of 10.8.2 (12C2034) that shipped with the Mini wouldn't allow the SSD and the HD to live seperately. After quite a bit of time on the phone with Support doing several Repair Disks from Internet Recovery Mode the Disk Utility actually created a Fusion Drive from the 2 seperate drives. I may now have the only Mc Mini with a 240GB SSD 1TB HD Fusion Drive. Doing the install took time as it entails a complete disassembly/ reassembly of the unit. The issue with the drives not lining up for srpawski was probably that he didn't get the guide pins to locate properly on the upper SSD slot. Not a tear down for the faint of heart. If you've got big hands, like I do, tweezers and forceps are necessary to get at some of the connectors without doing damage. Mine works splendidly, fast and powerful. Geekbench of 11998!!

I have often wondered if that to be the case as I did not slide the mother board out of the back of the case to do my drive swap. Those guide pins are a PITA to get seated just right. I think with that who antenna grate being half moon shaped as it is also plays a part just due to how it is designed with trying to get two points on a curve to line up just right.

I am glad to hear about your success with your upgrade. I am very pleased with both minis that I did. Also note that I am a first time Mac user switching from Windows with these machines and so far I am impressed with what I see, but that said don't feel compelled to say that I think one platform is better than the other as both have their good and bad points. I just wished everyone would get on board and make things work together easier.