What is a typical indication of a failing hard drive?

A typical indication of a failing hard drive is unusual clicking or grinding noises. These sounds are often associated with mechanical failure within the hard drive. The clicking may indicate that the drive is struggling to read or write data, possibly due to issues with the read/write heads or other moving parts. When a hard drive is functioning properly, it operates quietly; hence, audible mechanical noises are a significant warning sign that the drive may be failing.

While slow boot times, frequent software crashes, and delayed file transfers can also point to potential issues with a computer's performance, they are not definitive indicators of hard drive failure. These symptoms could result from a range of problems such as inadequate RAM, overloaded systems, or software issues rather than hardware malfunction. Thus, the presence of unusual sounds is a more direct and specific warning of impending hard drive failure.