ticking hard drive: toshiba equium L20?

Hi all,and a happy new year.
Can someone tell me, is my hard drive on its way out? my laptop is an toshiba equium L20, when i bought it 10 months ago and up until this weekend, i had never heard a noise from the hard drive but now it makes a ticking noise whenever it appears to be doing something, (indicated by the hard drive light) its not loud, more annoying, because it hasnt done it before! i need to know as i may get a new one under warranty before it runs out. also, if i can get them to replace it, would i get to keep the old one as it has personal information on from my business's so dont want it getting into the wrong hands.
many thanks....john