Does it matter which way up you mou

[ptj]

Does it matter which way up you mount a hard drive? A colleague thought that a 'circuit board upwards' presentation would shorten the life of the drive, but I thought it would make little difference as platters are read from both sides!

Anyone sort out the dispute?

Thanks

Phil.

 

[Comtech]

I have found it doesn't matter, as long as you keep it the same way if you transfer it to another comp. I had one that wouldn't work, no matter what, turned it upside down, and it worked fine after that... Cheers,
Jim

http://members.cnx.net/reboot/

 

[edfair]

Earlier drives would mount in any squared up orientation except board up. Haven't seen a data sheet in the last 12 or so years so don't know what current requirements are.
Why don't you go to the manufacturers site and see what they recommend. Ed Fair
efair@atlnet.com

Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply.

Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[webmaster999]

A hard drive WILL work in either position. The only concern I would have with mounting it with the board up is that you would get greater dust collection on the board that way and I wouldn't want that on my HDD. However, you can install it practically any way you want. I even have a couple of excess SCSIs sitting at a 45 inside the tower.

Matt A+, MCP, MCP+I, MCSE Windows NT 4.0, MCSE Windows 2000 Early Achiever with Security Emphasis

 

[Guest_imported]

Mounting a hard drive with the electronics uppermost could invite flashovers from dropped screws, unnoticed metal swarf etc. Years ago Compaq always used to mount drives "upside down" in their desktops.


ROGER - GØAOZ.

 

[webmaster999]

Good point, G0AOZ, but I hardly think that with the towers the way they are today, it would be possible to drop a screw on a HDD. My HDDs are tucked away neatly inside the stacker made for them, and any dropped screws wouldn't be able to get to them.

Besides, how can a dropped screw create a flashover, unless you are working on the computer with it on and powered up? And why would you do that? Even the most basic A+ rule is that you MUST turn off equipment FIRST to protect yourself and it!!!

Matt A+, MCP, MCP+I, MCSE Windows NT 4.0, MCSE Windows 2000 Early Achiever with Security Emphasis

 

[edfair]

Evidently whoever teaches the A+ hasn't ever worked in the real world. And I know some haven't because I've taught alongside them.
Yes , they work upside down. But Seagate, for one, specified not board side up. I think it had to do with the static grounding strap wear.
Yes, even at 45 degrees. But if you ever get to an old mechanical stepper drive and do it, you just might crash a customer's machine.

Ed Fair
efair@atlnet.com

Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply.

Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.