Boot up problem

Running win98SE.
On boot up there is a rapid clicking from (I think) the case speaker, but difficult to pinpoint.
When desktop available any icon I click only "blues up" the bottom one of that particular column.
I have to activate all the bottom ones before I can use the one I want.
I thought perhaps it was the H/D but changing that has not changed the situation.
Is it the mobo or something else? Or there any other checks I can do.
Grateful for any help on this.

 

Don't double post.