3 days ago, I bought the 2TB Baracuda ST2000DM001, Firmware CC4C. Before loading data onto it, I proceeded to run various scans and tests to make sure it was OK. Halfway through my tests, I was very concerned by a clicking sound I started to hear from the drive every minute or so. CrystalDiskInfo was showing a rapidly increasing number of (Head)
Load/Unload Cycle Count. I spent the better part of the day trying to figure out what was going on since all the scan results were good. I will cut to the chase and just report my final findings.
Turns out, CrystalDiskInfo (version 4.6.2a) was actually causing this (on my system anyway). I have not figured out why this is yet, or if I can find a workaround. Perhaps it is not CrystalDiskInfo on it's own, but rather a combination with a driver or software specific to my setup. If I leave CrystalDiskInfo off for several hours, and then launch it, I will find that the Load/Unload Cycle has increased by a few digits only. But leaving CrystalDiskInfo open would trigger a
very audible Load/Unload every 60 seconds on the dot! But only if the drive was Idle. Incidentally, it is not a coincidence that I have my CrystalDiskInfo set to Auto Refresh every 1 Minute! I tested with every 3 Minutes and then the clicking was every 3 Minutes. I also found that it was doing the same with my 2TB WD Green drive, except the WD drive was performing the Load/Unload quietly. So it was not a Seagate specific behavior. However, while CrystalDiskInfo is open, if I am running a scan or reading/writing on the drive, it will not trigger a Load/Unload. As soon as the "drive activity" ends, 60 seconds on the dot I will hear a click (I timed it several times). Now, with CrystalDiskInfo NOT RUNNING, if I leave my drive Idle for a long while, and then start any activity on it, I will have to listen very closely (physically have to lean into the PC too) to barely hear the head loading. And my PC is very quiet, as I have made every effort to have the quietest possible air cooled PC.
So my conclusion is this:Under normal circumstances, the load or unload of the head is practically inaudible. So the reason it is so audible only while CrystalDiskInfo is running is probably because either the head is being whipped into parked position and then instantly right back into unparked, or the other way around. Most likely the former, as the drive was active 60 seconds before the click occurs.

Under normal circumstances when the head just parks/unloads, and then later unparks/loads, it will do so more or less quietly!
So, I am no longer worried about my drive. I hope this report of my particular experience will be helpful to others concerned about the health of their brand new Seagate.
