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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> proper care of the external harddrive
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Showing posts 1 - 17 of 17, (reverse)
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 02/15/2005 02:43:49 PM · #1
can anyone enlighten me on the proper care of external harddrives? Is it better to only turn them on when the files are being accessed and/or backing up data. Or, is it better to have them running along with the main computer continually? My computer is on almost always. Is it likely to putter out sooner by being turned on and off more? Does it matter?
 02/15/2005 02:46:20 PM · #2
I only turn my external on when I need it or am backing up.

Message edited by author 2005-02-15 14:46:31.
 02/15/2005 02:55:19 PM · #3
Not sure about long term results, but I recently have started turning it off (esp at night) since I noticed it gets too hot running all day long. I was using it with router for wireless access but it used to drop signals a lot while reading or writing a file. Had some of picture files corrupted this way, so now I am using USB connection and turn it off when not in use. So far working well for me this way.
02/15/2005 03:05:33 PM · #4
external drives, like all silicon-based life forms, need love, lots of love. don't be angry when they fail, just prop them up and encourage them to try again. love never fails. don't fail love. failure to love is a big concern in the computing industry.
 02/15/2005 03:15:27 PM · #5
Where I work, we've had LaCie externals running for years, and I mean it, years, only being turned off for weekends.

Only ever had ONE fail during a heatwave when it went up to 40 degrees C in the office.

Stick with what you know...

T
 02/15/2005 03:21:03 PM · #6
i use mine frequently, so never turn it off. I keep all my data on it; photos, video, music. My internal HD only has working copies of projects and software on it.

I've just ordered a 250GB one that will only serve as a backup to the other two...

*edit: and yes, David...I show it the love whenever possible. it's all about the love.

Message edited by author 2005-02-15 15:21:43.
 02/15/2005 03:25:24 PM · #7
hmmm...love...harddrives...i suppose i would rather be turned on all the time too! ;)
02/15/2005 03:46:46 PM · #8
Originally posted by grigrigirl:
hmmm...love...harddrives...i suppose i would rather be turned on all the time too! ;)


how would you ever get any work done?
 02/15/2005 03:48:52 PM · #9
work schmirk
 02/15/2005 03:50:25 PM · #10
Originally posted by grigrigirl:
work schmirk

haha. that reminds of this girl in high school. she put as her high school yearbook quote: school schmool. she is probably running the world now.

Message edited by author 2005-02-15 15:50:39.
 02/15/2005 03:56:11 PM · #11
Originally posted by Pedro:
I've just ordered a 250GB one that will only serve as a backup to the other two...

if you don't mind my asking, what brand and about how much and from where?

Message edited by author 2005-02-15 15:56:27.
 02/15/2005 04:02:25 PM · #12
Originally posted by skiprow:
Originally posted by Pedro:
I've just ordered a 250GB one that will only serve as a backup to the other two...

if you don't mind my asking, what brand and about how much and from where?


Both are Maxtor (like these). the ones with the 16MB cache and are both USB2 or Firewire. the link isn't the exact model I got.

The first one I bought from Staples 'cuz they had a deal, and the new one is from eBay.
 02/15/2005 04:13:11 PM · #13
Leave it running. If it is designed well (the encloser) it will last longer than your main computer becomes obsolete.
 02/15/2005 04:24:28 PM · #14
thanks!
 02/15/2005 04:35:00 PM · #15
If it gets real hot, then don't leave it running when you won't be using it within the next day or two. I've never had an external storage device that didn't fail prematurely. I don't think they get proper circulation. Hard drives do wear, and remember, unless the device is set to spin down after a while, they are continuously rotatiting at 7200 RPM or even more.

There's stress to components turing devices on and off, but this has to be weighted against other factors.

I leave my computers on all the time but most of them are well ventilated.

02/15/2005 04:38:45 PM · #16
Originally posted by nshapiro:
If it gets real hot, then don't leave it running when you won't be using it within the next day or two. I've never had an external storage device that didn't fail prematurely. I don't think they get proper circulation. Hard drives do wear, and remember, unless the device is set to spin down after a while, they are continuously rotatiting at 7200 RPM or even more.

There's stress to components turing devices on and off, but this has to be weighted against other factors.

I leave my computers on all the time but most of them are well ventilated.


I just bought a lacie for my new system, and it gets all quite on its own. No spinning and churning unless im using it. This is why I wonder if I should just leave it on all the time.
 02/15/2005 07:40:34 PM · #17
Originally posted by grigrigirl:
Originally posted by nshapiro:
If it gets real hot, then don't leave it running when you won't be using it within the next day or two. I've never had an external storage device that didn't fail prematurely. I don't think they get proper circulation. Hard drives do wear, and remember, unless the device is set to spin down after a while, they are continuously rotatiting at 7200 RPM or even more.

There's stress to components turing devices on and off, but this has to be weighted against other factors.

I leave my computers on all the time but most of them are well ventilated.


I just bought a lacie for my new system, and it gets all quite on its own. No spinning and churning unless im using it. This is why I wonder if I should just leave it on all the time.


If it spins down it shouldn't be a problem. As long as it's not getting hot, and not constantly spinning, then your fine leaving it on.
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