Right.. I 'think' we're OK, just... phew!

I've just been on the phone for the last 1 1/2 hours to a luverly guy in Ireland, with the patients of a saint and a voice like velvet! And he called me back!

Firstly, I have to apologise to all on here - It wasn't the external hard drive making that noise after all, it was the INTERNAL hard drive

Did I panic? YES!

But after about half an hour of him talking me though various diagnostic tests and fully making sure I was completely backed up. He decided that the best course of action was to do a complete reinstall.

After which, he then painstakingly talked me through how to redirect iPhoto and iTunes and etc.

And he gave me a little lesson in how to 'tidy up' a bit.

And so far, so good!

No clicking, no whirring, no freezing and safe in the knowledge that its all backed up, TWICE!

Peace and good will is now fully restored!

Thanks to everyone who tried to help!