Help! Laptop making crackling, whirring noise

[oopslateagain]

DH's laptop (a Toshiba Satellite) has just started making a horrible crackling noise, with the occasional whirring sound - kind of like the old hard drives IYKWIM. It's out of warranty.

Can get it to a computer repair place tomorrow, but he'd like to use it tonight. Any ideas what it could be and if it's safe to use it?

I really wouldn't suggest using it tonight, unless all data is already backed up.

Sounds bad, and if it was me, I'd have it checked and not use it.

What is so important he needs to use it tonight?

s/needs/wants/ :)

He follows NASCAR and there's a five-hour race tonight that he wants to follow on the live feed. He could use my laptop but then I'd be forced to forego MN for an entire Sunday evening, which is just cruel.