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long term storage of external hard drive

  • 19-11-2011 8:00pm
    #1
    enniscorthy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,046 ✭✭✭


    hi all -

    seeking a few ideas and opinions on this

    i have read contradictary reports on several different sites about the long term storage of external hdd

    in other words - does it harm the drive to archive it away safely in a plastic box in a wardrobe - not in use for up to a year or more

    i ask this as some people have suggested that as the device is intended to be spinning that prolonged non-use could speed up the possible eventual failure of the drive

    interested to hear thoughts


Comments

  • #2
    GarIT
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,671 ✭✭✭GarIT


    I can't really see how it would. I'd put in some of those little packets that take the moisture out of the air though.


  • #3
    enniscorthy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,046 ✭✭✭enniscorthy


    thanks mate good idea


  • #4
    enniscorthy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,046 ✭✭✭enniscorthy


    anybody else :confused::)


  • #5
    coylemj
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 25,705 ✭✭✭✭coylemj


    I wouldn't worry about moisture, HDDs have a tiny hole covered by a hydrophobic membrane. The purpose of the hole is to allow air in and out of the enclosure to equalise with the outside air, the hydrophobic membrane prevents ingress of water molecules and anything bigger which means it keeps dust out as well. Any kind of dry domestic environment will be fine, you don't need a bag of those crystals.


  • #6
    enniscorthy
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,046 ✭✭✭enniscorthy


    do you know if the drives might not spin up after a long time of being switched off (approx 1 year) :confused:


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  • #7
    yoyo
    Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 11,017 Mod ✭✭✭✭yoyo


    enniscorthy wrote: »
    do you know if the drives might not spin up after a long time of being switched off (approx 1 year) :confused:

    If the data is really important have another copy of it, burn off a couple of DVD DLs of the data as well (Use a decent brand, Verbatim, Ritek etc) to be safe. If its not much data you could also try cloud storage (Dropbox, Windows Live drive etc).
    Theres no reason why the drive wouldn't turn on in a years time, but mechanical drives can fail and if it got slightly knocked in storage that could kill it.

    Nick

    My Beer Glass collection site 🍺

    My Irish Callcards site



  • #8
    Paulw
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,272 ✭✭✭✭Paulw


    I've had drives that are 5+ years old, which were not in use, reconnected to a machine and they work fine.


  • #9
    Hal Emmerich
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,078 ✭✭✭Hal Emmerich


    yea, wrap it up in a Towel or something spongy/soft and stick in an airtight lunchbox/container to protect it abit from knocks and what have you and it'll be fine.


  • #10
    Morlar
    Closed Accounts Posts: 9,273 ✭✭✭Morlar


    I recommend ensuring you use the exact same power supply that came with that model of External HDD. In my experience these are not interchangable.


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