grig85

hdgal,
What you are describing right now is a sign of a failing head. However, I can not be 100% sure on that without testing it. But if if fact this is the case, then that failing head still works but it is degrading (that explains clicks you hear once in the while). The more you use your drive now the less are the chances of getting this data back without replacing heads. If you have to get your data back and not willing to pay professional to do it for you, by all means do so, because it is not going to jeopardise chances of recovery by professional either way. Your data is and will be recoverable even if this head fails completely. However, making your drive trying to get into areas that are difficult access right now without options of picking up data from easy access areas could kill the head with absolutely no results. Then you will have to get professional help for head replacement.