Hard drive clicking and freezing

Question

Hard drive clicking and freezing

My iMac hard drive seems to click at random intervals… it starts with a gentle buzzing sound then a hard mechanical click, sometimes several in a row, then goes quiet again. It happens around once every 15-30 minutes when using the computer and sometimes the system freezes during the clicking.

I've spoken to Apple support on the phone who told me it sounded like corrupted data and to do a full re-install of the OS and then migrate back my data. I did that and during the OS installation and data migration I heard the clicking, and after some use it was still occuring so Apple support told me to take it to the Apple Store.

The Genius wasn't really sure what it could be (and it was too loud in the Apple Store to hear the noise) but he ran a hard drive diagnostic test lasting about 10 mins. It showed my drive as passing the test so he said they'd keep it overnight to run a more thorough 24-hour diagnostic test. Ultimately they told me the drive is physically fine and that they didn't hear any clicking noises. I asked what to do now and they told me to just do regular backups.

But since getting it back home I'm still hearing the clicking and getting the freezing… If there's nothing physically wrong with my drive and a fresh OS X reinstall didn't fix any potentially corrupted data, I don't know what else to do…

iMac, OS X Mavericks (10.9)

Posted on Feb 11, 2014 8:30 AM

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Answer 1

dwb

Level 7

32,914 points

Feb 11, 2014 8:57 AM in response to EssentialParadox

There's no question that it sounds like a bad hard drive but it is strange that the computer is consistantly exhibiting the problem at your home but didn't at the store. A question and a thought.

Question: does this happen immediately or does the computer run okay for a while and then begin the clicking/freezing. If it runs okay for a while and then the clicking starts it might be heat related and in that case you'd want to tell the genius that it takes a while for the problem to start. (Just because the genius said he ran an extended diagnostic doesn't mean he did, unfortunately)

Thought: could you try moving the computer to a different location in the house/apartment? Specifically to a different circuit. I'm wondering if maybe it is electrical. Where I used to live I had a problem with my computer crashing intermittently until I realized it happened everytime the electric water heater cycled on. I moved to a different circuit and no more crashes.

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Answer 2

andyBall_uk

Level 7

20,516 points

Feb 11, 2014 10:07 AM in response to EssentialParadox

Are there any Console log messages at the times this happens ? (check from an admin account).

If so, you may be able to show the store that the problem is with the drive.

You mignt also try Using Apple Hardware Test although it's not at all conclusive, should it report no problems.

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Answer 3

Feb 11, 2014 10:40 AM in response to dwb

I believe they did run a full diagnostic because I went to collect it a bit early but it was on hour 19 of 24 so I had to come back the next day.

Interesting story about the electric water heater! I think I can rule that out though as I recently moved address and the problem had existed beforehand.

I'm unsure if I've been able to ascertain any pattern to the clicking/freezing so far… it could be soon after logging in or after extended use.

I have got the console log open now and will check it when the next clicking/freezing occurs.

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Answer 4

dwb

Level 7

32,914 points

Feb 11, 2014 11:02 AM in response to EssentialParadox

When you hear the clicking check the time (look at the computer's clock!) and make a note of it. That will help you find entries in the log at the time just prior to thru just after the clicking or freeze.

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Answer 5

Feb 11, 2014 11:37 AM in response to dwb

So after several instances of the issue, the console is unfortunately not giving any errors or messages before or after the issue occurs that could indicate the problem. There also isn't a similar software application that I'm using when the issue occurs.

I think the fact the drive also exhibited the problem when installing a clean version of OS X may indicate that it's probably not a software issue. I believe it may just be a problem with the drive that was not picked up on any of Apple's tests. It seems to me that it could be quite a rare issue and not many pros recognize it… unfortunately.

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Answer 6

Feb 19, 2014 10:37 AM in response to EssentialParadox

So quick update: it is usable but seems to be getting worse over time. It's most predominant when listening to music while working. Sometimes the music will freeze and I'll hear weird alien noises coming from the iMac for a few seconds, but today it froze for 10-15 seconds.

I'm thinking I might need to go back to the Apple store but I felt kinda stupid after going in and saying it was the hard drive but then being told the hard drive was 100% fine. Can anyone tell me if there's anything else it might be?

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Answer 7

dwb

Level 7

32,914 points

Feb 19, 2014 10:42 AM in response to EssentialParadox

No need to give the genius your diagnosis. Simply tell him/her what you've experienced and go from there.

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Answer 8

zenbarg

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2015 4:45 AM in response to EssentialParadox

Hi EssentialParadox, Im currently having the exact same issue as what you've described.

Ive noticed this post is about a year old. Did you get the problem solved? and if so, how?

Thanks in advance

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Answer 9

Nov 9, 2015 5:33 AM in response to zenbarg

HI zenbarg.

So things worsened to the extent that I suddenly began getting scary I/O errors popping up one day, even while trying to back files up to an external drive (Warning: triple check your back ups now. I thought mine had been backing up but my Time Machine drive for some reason hadn't been doing it for months but had been indicating everything was fine.)

After seeing the errors I took it back to the Apple Store and had to get a new hard drive. They apologised for telling me the diagnostic was fine despite the drive failing a couple of days later. I argued many times that I had one of the faulty drives under the replacement scheme but they said because the serial numbers don't match, I don't qualify. So I just paid up in the end. Does work fine now though.

PS I got lucky with my files in the end. Because my Time Machine drive was basically empty, I chose it as the start disc and installed OS X to it via the Internet install option. Then I was able to see the main HD as a secondary drive and grab files from it passively.

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Answer 10

zenbarg

Level 1

0 points

Nov 9, 2015 4:49 PM in response to EssentialParadox

Hi EssentialParadox

Thanks for that reply

Glad you've finally solved it.

Im starting to freak out as it does make that clicking noise every now and then, and when it does, the computer freezes for a few secs.

If its definitely a hard drive issue, is it possible to purchase a hard drives and install it myself (knowing theres a lot of tutorials on youtube)

and how much was it for the Apple Store guys to replace it? If theres not much difference than purchasing and installing it myself, Id rather take it there and get them to do it, risk-free.

Oh and another thing I noticed is that since this morning, the sound disappears and never came back at all up till now. Could it also be the heat problem that triggers that? Yesterday my mac was doing some heavy duty work and it was quite hot as well. I wonder...

But thanks again for the response

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Answer 11

Nov 10, 2015 6:16 AM in response to zenbarg

It does sound like your drive has the same issue. Have you checked if yours is valid under apple's replacement scheme for 2011 iMacs?

The sound wasn't always apparent, sometimes I thought it was gone but would return later. It tended to happen when accessing fresh parts of the disc (e.g writing large files)

It might last another few months, possibly a year. The freezing will get worse and worse until it fails.

It was about £160 for the drive and £40 for them to install it. I was tempted to do it myself and put a fusion drive in, I think you could do that if you feel comfortable enough.

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