Having the very same problem OP describes in my Dell Studio XPS today, which has just had a warranty replacement motherboard installed because of a faulty USB port. Its an X58 like the Asus. I'm confident the ethernet port is the cause.

Hi, I'm new here. I had a WD10EACS for a few days in November and had installed it in my linux-based buffalo linkstation pro nas. I noticed that every few seconds it would make a clicking noise, which sounded like the head was parking (?). I found this noise very annoying as I prefer my stuff to ope...