The DMA mode could be deactivated (changed to PIO mode), but that is not for filesystem problems. You should review your cable connections to your storage ports. You could even try the HDD manufacturer’s tool for hardware checking.

The clicking and the sound icon is probably because the PIO mode. It may have been using the same resources that the sound card was trying to use. When your storage works in DMA mode, the conflict (with resources) stops, and the clicking too.

BTW, HDD physical problems can have “clicking” sounds too, but they are clearly different from sounds coming from the OS (or the sound card). They clearly come from the HDD itself.