Computer making clicking noise and randomly shuts off and restarts.

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Brodie Wagstaff

Brodie Wagstaff

PCHF Member
May 15, 2022
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Hi there,

I have previously had problems with my 3 year old prebuilt desktop, it was randomly shutting of with a clicking noise that it usually makes when shutting down normally, however it would happen randomly and my screen would black out and the pc would restart. This started off happening rarely 1-2 times a day (im always on my pc 24/7). But then it became frequent to the point that my computer couldnt even boot before shutting itself down. I bought and installed a new PSU as i had done some research and believed this is most likely the culprit. After installing my new PSU, i have been using the pc with no random shutdowns at all for about 2-3 months. But just today i have had 2 random shutdowns, the first lead into a windows update so i thought it might have been a normal restart, but now it has happened a second time exactly the same as it used to. I have no idea what could be causing this and why hasnt it happened for a few month since i got my new PSU and randomly starting again now. Is it still the PSU or could it be other hardware?
 
From what it sounds like is a HHD is failing and need to be replaced.

The sound that you are describing is known as the click of death just before the HDD fails.

If this is the case STRONGLY suggest you get external USB storage and backup whatever personal data (pictures, videos, documents...) that you DO NOT wish to lose.
 
Is there a way that i can test my HDD to confirm that this is the hardware failiong. also that leaves me more curious as to why the issue was solved periodically when installing the new PSU. Baiscally im worried that i might go buy and HDD and still have this issue 3 months later.
 
also, i also have an 500gb SSD which has my windows installed on it (C: drive) is it possible that i could disable my HDD and only use this, would that solve this issue?
 
Rustys said:
From what it sounds like is a HHD is failing and need to be replaced.

The sound that you are describing is known as the click of death just before the HDD fails.

If this is the case STRONGLY suggest you get external USB storage and backup whatever personal data (pictures, videos, documents...) that you DO NOT wish to lose.
Click to expand...
i just realised i didnt reply directly to your comment so just putting this here incase you havent been notified :)
 
in addition to the already advised;

Not all PSUs are of equal quality, some are bullet proof while others are out and out dangerous, we know nothing about your computer or its hardware.

Please provide information about your computer, is it a custom build or brand name such as Dell or HP, if a brand name, provide the model name or series number (not serial) if a custom build post the brand and model name or number for the CPU, MB, the RAM (including the amount) add on video card if one is used and both the ald and the new PSU, providing these details will enable folk to better assist you.
 
Hello again,

My pc was custom built and here are some of the specifics;
CPU: Intel Core(TM) i7-9700F
Motherboard: H370 Aorus Gaming 3 WIFI-CF
RAM:
1652615562487.png
1652615546325.png

Video Card:
1652615625886.png

New PSU: EVGA 650 GA Supernova
Old PSU: Coolermaster 650W bronze rated? model #: MPE-6501-ACAAB (not sure about the name but its coolermaster brand and thats the model number on the physical psu.
 
Looking at those specs the new PSU is ideal for the GPU but the original one should never have been used, CM are not a good brand and any card that is capable of being used for gaming should always be protected/supported by a good quality brand Gold efficiency rated PSU like the one that you have now, this more or less rules this out as being power related.

Your RAM is appropriate for the CPU so that is also looking to be in the clear.

Brodie Wagstaff said:
also, i also have an 500gb SSD which has my windows installed on it (C: drive) is it possible that i could disable my HDD and only use this, would that solve this issue?
Click to expand...

You can disable the HDD in Disk Manager as in take it offline, see guide here

Try the above then get back to Russ with an update when ready.
 
Like I stated if sounds like it is the HDD failing or starting could also be a fan going or something hitting the blades something lose rattling?

Here are the steps to run a check disk and how to retrieve the information. Let us know how disabling the HDD did and you will probably need to reenable the HDD to run the scans.

Run CHKDSK using Command Prompt

1. Click the Start button. 2. Type cmd in the box 3. Right click on CMD to bring up the short cut menu. 4. Select Run as Administrator A User Account Control window will come up click Yes. To access the Administrator Command Prompt for...
pchelpforum.net pchelpforum.net

Retrieve Check Disk Information

Press the Windows + R keys to open the Run dialog Type powershell Then press Enter or click OK In PowerShell, copy and paste the command below, and press Enter. get-winevent -FilterHashTable @{logname="Application"; id="1001"}|...
pchelpforum.net pchelpforum.net

If you have more than one internal HDD run on them as well could be any one of them.

Hitting the reply button does nothing to notify us any more than just typing the the text boxes like you did before we still receive notification when someone post.
 
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