In article , Good Guy
wrote:

I would try removing from the machine and putting in a USB enclosure and
try using File explorer to recover as much as possible.

the clicking is a bad sign and isn't going to magically stop if it's in
a usb enclosure.

I agree 15 years is a very long time but Hard Drives do lasts longer if
enough care is taken not to misuse them.

it's not a question of misuse. moving parts eventually wear out.

I am using one that I bought
in 2005 and is still working. It is only 1TB but I intend to remove it
and install a 2TB NAS drive. I like using NAS drives in Desktops!!!

you must also like time machines, since 1tb drives first appeared in
2007:

https://www.techradar.com/news/digit...ng/ces-2007-wo
rld-s-first-1tb-hard-drive-148723