Apparent HD search every time I access a file - WHY?

[Rich]

This problem has been with me a while. Every time I open Windows
Explorer or open a file from any application, my HD makes a loud
series of clicks and there is a 2-4 second very noticeable delay
before the drive contents are displayed.

I have not seen this action on other XP Pro systems. I have all of my
HDs set for fast indexing, and I am unaware of any other controls that
I might adjust to improve the access speed.

Experts- Any ideas?

TIA, Rich

 

[Guest]

I saw this problem with the IBM Netvista's quite regularly. I hate to say
it, but it sounds like the Hard Drive is on death row. I would back up and
replace ASAP.

 

[JS]

Could be the drive is failing, download HD Tune: http://www.hdtune.com/
Click on the 'Health' tab and then check the 'Status' column.

JS

 

[Rich]

Let me clarify a bit. The delay occurrs at the initial access of the
drive. Clicking to access subsequent folders or subfolders occurrs
promptly and without any HD seek noise. Also the SMART diagnostic
indicates no problems.

Since this has been like this for over a year, I really do not suspect
a failing HD.

Any other possibilities?

Rich