something is wrong

[adams]

well not really sure what it is but something is wrong. Here is my system:

2500+ amd cpu
768mb ddr400
biostar motherboard
1 - 120gb maxtor hd (primary master)
1 - 200gb maxtor hd (picture hd)(secondary slave)
1 - 200gb maxtor hd (movie hd)(primary slave)
1 nec dvd burner (secondary master)
card reader
usb mouse/keyboard
430w powersupply
2 - case fans

To start it the mouse started acting funny over Christmas and I didn't think much about it. It would freeze and then unfreeze and I could continue what I was doing. It would do this every so often without any pattern to it.

Last week my hard drive started making a clicking noise, like the head bumping. I've had many do this before (4 in the last year) and all the ones before eventually got to where they wouldn't be recognized anymore. All but 1 has been a Maxtor ATA drive, so I'm not buying Maxtor anymore as this is just too many in this short amount of time.

Now back to the problem. I removed all sides and unplugged the 2 case fans since they are on the sides/top. I unplugged the drive (movie hd) that I thought it was, but that the clicking noise still happened. Unplugged the picture hd and that took care of the clicking.

Now the system started freezing, not just the mouse like earlier. I would have to turn off for like a minute then turn it back on. If I just restarted the computer it would freeze on the bios screen where it does the ide detection/memory check.

So I plug the picture hd back in and back it up since it has every picture I've ever took on it and hadn't been backed up in about 2 months. No more clicking. Left the system running all night and didn't have any clicks or freezes.

Restarted the computer and it froze on the ide detection screen. Read somewhere on the net to clear the CMOS. So I did that but the ide detection screen freezing still happens. Even when it doesn't happen it takes at least 2 - 3 minutes just to get through that screen and at least 5 minutes to get to operating state (might be a little longer than that, haven't actually timed it).

Then I read somewhere else that the hd clicking could be caused by the hd not getting enough power. Could that be the case for the hd clicking or is it just going bad? I've had everything but 2 hd's, dvd burner, and card reader unplugged for a few days and it hasn't clicked one time.

Sorry for the long post. So does anyone have any ideas on what could be the problem?

Thanks
adams