try to run a diagnosic test on the computer and see if any devices are failing. besides the hard drive, the cd drive and the fan are sources of clicking noises for the computer. so try to eliminate them by running tests.

Capacitators on the mainboard can hold electricity for up to 2 hours, so even with all power sources gone, there is still energy there. But in reality, that should not make a clicking noise. Sounds like a expansion and contraction of something. Have you ever stripped the notebook? If yes, you may have missed a screw, and the plastic casing itself could be expanding and contracting as a result of the head present when it was on. With harddrive out, this seems the only logical proble, as nothing else moves in the laptop. Well besides the CD Rom, but one would not expect this to move without electricity. If you have taken the book apart, do it again, rechecking that everything is nice and tight. If you have not, I woul consider the old Dell Technical warranty call.

All the best.

Dan

is there a cd in the drive?

it might be the cd-dvd combo drive

try downloading this file from this website R69582.EXE or try this

1) Click the "Start" button
2) Click "Run"

 

 

Haunted 5150

Maybe it is coming from the cpu ... my 5150 cpu makes more like a "buzzing" sound, but only when it is on.'

I agree with the statment that some residual capacitance may be powering some components. My guess is your sound may be related to the audio system or motherboard.