Dell Vostro 1510 clicking noise

I've had a Vostro 1510 laptop since February 2009, when I turn it on it makes clicking noises then it will eventually quit but today while reading a lengthly article online it would make this irritating clicking noise every 5 to 10 seconds like the clock in my kitchen makes. My clock's second hand will move 5 seconds then click, 5 more seconds then click and so on and so on but today the laptop was making a similar sound.

I'm not changing web pages or using the touchpad, I was just reading a lengthy article online and about every 5 seconds or so the laptop would make this irritating clicking noise, just one click, then silence, then another click, then silence, not a series of clicks. I'm using it wirelessly, could that be the reason it's clicking? I was able to open up the volume control and bring the volume of the clicking noise down. I'd like to know what this irritating clicking noise could be. I haven't noticed it this much until today. It's like a dripping kitchen faucet which goes drip, drip, drip, you get the picture. It's really annoying.

 

That's weird, the clicking noise has finally stopped but I'd still like to know what it was so the next time it starts up again I'll know what to do to stop it. Feedback anyone?

 

Now it's started again. Arrrrrgggggg.

 

It's the read/write of the head on the disk platter. I this it's a faulty hard disk. You should call dell and ask for a replacement.

 

Translation? Are you saying the HD is probably bad? Right now it's not clicking, everything is quiet but if it's got to click I can live with that but I've had the computer since February 2009 and it hasn't made this clicking sound constantly before today.

 

Not trying to be insulting in anyway, but are you sure it's not the noise that Windows makes? I know in Internet Explorer I'll get a lot of those clicks.

Or is it a physical sound coming from the laptop as opposed to coming out of the speakers?