HDD Operating Temperature

  • Thread starter Thread starter Keith
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Keith

I have a Maxtor OneTouch drive which I use only for backup.

I keep the drive with me most times and it spends some time in the boot of
the car while I'm at work etc.

The manual which came with it says the operating temperature is 5°C to 35°C
(41°F to 95°F) but gives no mention of storeage temperature.

It is getting cold here now and it will soon be freezing point or lower
outside (and in the car boot).

Will this freezing temperature hard the hard disk as it won't be in use when
that cold, or should I take it somewhere warmer?

Thanks
 
Keith said:
I have a Maxtor OneTouch drive which I use only for backup.

I keep the drive with me most times and it spends some time in the boot of
the car while I'm at work etc.

The manual which came with it says the operating temperature is 5°C to
35°C (41°F to 95°F) but gives no mention of storeage temperature.

It is getting cold here now and it will soon be freezing point or lower
outside (and in the car boot).

Will this freezing temperature hard the hard disk as it won't be in use
when that cold, or should I take it somewhere warmer?
Click to expand...

I have heard a lot of people recommending for a failing hard disk, that you
freeze it and quickly take it to the computer and try to recover the data
before it warms up. However, for a normal hard drive, the manuals always say
"allow the drive to warm to room temperature before installing it in the
computer". I think this is because of condensation on the cold metal in the
warm environment. However if you make sure it is up to operating temperature
and is dry before you use it, then the only problem will be the constant
heating up and cooling down which must surely introduce more stressing to
the delicate components and reduce the lifespan of the drive.

Also - it will be quite well 'rattled' in the boot of your car - perhaps not
the safest environment? I would personally consider somewhere a little
safer - I keep mine inside the computer case!!
 
Gareth Tuckwell said:
I have heard a lot of people recommending for a failing hard disk, that
you freeze it and quickly take it to the computer and try to recover the
data before it warms up. However, for a normal hard drive, the manuals
always say "allow the drive to warm to room temperature before installing
it in the computer". I think this is because of condensation on the cold
metal in the warm environment. However if you make sure it is up to
operating temperature and is dry before you use it, then the only problem
will be the constant heating up and cooling down which must surely
introduce more stressing to the delicate components and reduce the
lifespan of the drive.

Also - it will be quite well 'rattled' in the boot of your car - perhaps
not the safest environment? I would personally consider somewhere a little
safer - I keep mine inside the computer case!!
Click to expand...

I keep it in the boot during the day as I take it to work with me (so it's
off-site out of my house where my PCs are).

I do have a padded bag for it so it shouldn't get too much jolting in the
boot.

I didn't think condensation would be able to form inside the hard disk as
it's a sealed environment?
 
Keith said:
I keep it in the boot during the day as I take it to work with me (so it's
off-site out of my house where my PCs are).

I do have a padded bag for it so it shouldn't get too much jolting in the
boot.

I didn't think condensation would be able to form inside the hard disk as
it's a sealed environment?
Click to expand...

I agree - the sealed 'clean' environment inside a hard disk should have no
moisture as it is sealed with a special gas, therefore no water vapour in
there to condense, but it states that in the manual for the numerous hard
disks I have bought through the years, that you should allow them to warm up
naturally (no hair dryers!!) to room temperature before using. Perhaps it is
just to prevent moisture inside the case or on the contacts on the outside
of the drive - both of which would cause corrosion where you don't want it!
 
I agree - the sealed 'clean' environment inside a hard disk should have no
moisture as it is sealed with a special gas, therefore no water vapour in
there to condense, but it states that in the manual for the numerous hard
disks I have bought through the years, that you should allow them to warm up
naturally (no hair dryers!!) to room temperature before using. Perhaps it is
just to prevent moisture inside the case or on the contacts on the outside
of the drive - both of which would cause corrosion where you don't want it!
Click to expand...

Which hard drives are sealed and filled with a special gas?
Generally speaking, they aren't.
 
kony said:
Which hard drives are sealed and filled with a special gas?
Generally speaking, they aren't.
Click to expand...

All of them. I don't know what gas, but there has to be no water vapour in
there.
 
All of them. I don't know what gas, but there has to be no water vapour in
there.
Click to expand...

No, they are definitely not all sealed and filled with gas.
Most have a filtered vent unless this has changed very, very
recently.
 
I didn't think condensation would be able to form inside the hard disk as
it's a sealed environment?
Click to expand...

Hard drives aren't sealed. They do have a well filtered vent to equalize
pressure to do elevation and temperature changes. Also, you will get
condensation on the electronics outside of the drive itself, which is just
as bad.
 
Which hard drives are sealed and filled with a special gas?
No, they are definitely not all sealed and filled with gas.
Most have a filtered vent unless this has changed very, very
recently.
Click to expand...

If they have a vent, then it must have some kind expensive carbon filter +
water removal system because even a single grain of microscopic dust or
water vapour entering the hard drive casing and landing on the platter would
potentially render it useless!

I was told by an electronics guy that hard drives were sealed in laboratory
'clean' environments - hence the 'void if removed' seal all round the seam
between the top half of the casing and the bottom. The seal is rubbery and
slightly flexible to allow for pressure and temperature changes (a little
like the sealant around a bath) and to absolutely stop anything from the
outside world from getting inside.

I could be talking out of my arse, but that is what I have been told and the
western digital drive I have in front of me know does have a 'void if
removed' seal all round the seam between the 2 halves - also there is no
absolutely no gaps in it for a filter, unless it is under the circuit board
on the underside?
 
All of them. I don't know what gas, but there has to be no water vapour in
there.
Click to expand...

you may be right, the gas is composed of 21% of Oxigen + 78% Nitrogen
+ 1% of other stuff like smell supstances in form of hidden smoke. if
the HD dies, smoke runs out of it (thats there is that valve hole with
near sticker warning: Do not close this hole!
water vapour is not a problem, since these days HDs run very
hot & become inside very dry like Sahara desert ...

For other stuff to learn, there is also my site to acquire some
knowledge ...
 
Troll.



Spajky said:
you may be right, the gas is composed of 21% of Oxigen + 78% Nitrogen
+ 1% of other stuff like smell supstances in form of hidden smoke. if
the HD dies, smoke runs out of it (thats there is that valve hole with
near sticker warning: Do not close this hole!
water vapour is not a problem, since these days HDs run very
hot & become inside very dry like Sahara desert ...

For other stuff to learn, there is also my site to acquire some
knowledge ...


--
Regards, SPAJKY ®
& visit my site @ http://www.spajky.vze.com
"Tualatin OC-ed / BX-Slot1 / inaudible setup!"
E-mail AntiSpam: remove ##
Click to expand...
 
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