Some types of laptop hard disks is a serious problem.
Not at all: it depends on the brand and type of hard disk.
The problem arises in many kinds of Linux.
Sometimes even with Mint (depending on the type of hard disk).
There is some laptops namely, every few seconds, a clear click to hear the hard drive (parking and immediately uitparkeren).
Some hard disks sounds more like tap, tap it or click: it's the same hand.
The firmware of the laptop hard-disk drive to the parking lot too aggressive, because of energy conservation.
That is very unhealthy for the drive, and significantly shorten its life.
Solution:
First, put the power right:
System - Preferences - Power
Tab "On battery power": remove the checkmark from: Hard drives freeze if possible.
Then:
Utilities - Tools - Terminal
tap (copy and paste):

sudo hdparm-B 254 /dev/sda

Press Enter.
Now keep clicking the dismal finally.
Enables the parking actions for energy savings is not entirely out, but limited them to an absolute minimum. Additional for particle: this laptop is faster.
The "price" that you pay is a little higher electricity consumption. And so a slightly shorter battery life.
Each command is stored in the hidden text. Bash_history in your home directory.
But you can also automate this operation. As follows:
Utilities - Tools - Terminal
tap (copy and paste):

gksudo gedit /etc/hdparm.conf

Press Enter
Now start Gedit little notebook with a specific text file.
Add the following text at the very end of this short document text (copy and paste):

/Dev/sda {
    apm = 254
    apm_battery = 254
}

Make sure that the indicator sda and not hda! With hda does not work.
Save the text file and close the little notebook.
Restart your computer (complete restart).
Then pause and sleep off, because in awakening it, the hard disk clicking.
Please comments .. thanks