Lately you hear a clatter from your computer, especially when you load a program or call up information. What’s going on?

The correct answer is: Your hard disk may be headed for failure.

A loose wire hitting the cooling fan would cause a high-pitched whine, not a clatter. A loud metallic clatter is not normal, and could be caused by a number of things, including a loose hard drive component, a failing hard drive, or a piece of hardware that has come loose inside the computer. If you hear a clatter from your computer, it is best to take it to a technician to have it diagnosed and repaired.

Here is a more detailed explanation of each option:

• Option A: It’s infested with reindeer. This is not a realistic possibility. Reindeer are not known to infest computers, and there is no evidence to suggest that they would be able to cause a clatter from inside a computer.
• Option B: Your hard disk may be headed for failure. This is the most likely explanation for a clatter from a computer. Hard drives are mechanical devices, and they can wear out over time. If a hard drive is failing, it can make a variety of noises, including a clatter.
• Option C: A loose wire is hitting the cooling fan. This is also a possibility, but it is less likely than Option B. If a loose wire is hitting the cooling fan, it would likely cause a high-pitched whine, not a clatter.
• Option D: A loud metallic clatter is normal. This is not true. A loud metallic clatter is not normal, and it could be a sign of a problem with your computer. If you hear a clatter from your computer, it is best to take it to a technician to have it diagnosed and repaired.