Hi, I've just purchased a new Western Digital 160 GB Hard drive. I partitioned it and installed Kubuntu. Everything is working fine except for a ticking sound in the drive when I open multiple files from it. My previous 40GB drive made no such noises. I made a surface scan on that 160GB drive but it produced no errors. The read and write speed is also very good. Any ideas what could be the problem?

Ticking sounds from a hard disk are almost always an indication of imminent hard disk failure. Take it back and get a replacement, " If at first you don't succeed, Please Post Back "

Also you may check to make sure it is getting the proper power supply " If at first you don't succeed, Please Post Back "

Run WD diagnostics on the drive. If you bought retail it may be on the WD disk. If not it is available on WD site.

I think, as Perry Mason would say, that you are "assuming facts not in evidence." It may just be that it's making normal sounds for the make and model drive. All drives make some noise as they move the heads, and some are louder than others. It may simply be that the way you have it mounted is sending more noise via the metal of the case. Get ahold of the warrantee people and tell them your concern, see if they'll replace it. If another new one makes the same noise(s) then it's normal for that model.