running an external HD 24/7?
28-08-2014, 14:30
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#1
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Ice Cold
Join Date: Oct 2006
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running an external HD 24/7?
Wondering if someone could give me some advice please
I have an External HD and an Asus RT-N56U router that has USB ports on it. I was wanting to add my External HD to it so that it can be networked as a back up device for laptops around the house.
I'm just wondering on the wear and tear on a HD 24/7 or will this only become active when when used? I wasn't sure if it would simply shut down like windows does when they aren't active.
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28-08-2014, 15:34
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#2
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cf.mega poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 11,207
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Re: running an external HD 24/7?
Wear and tear is not generally an issue. Repeatedly shutting down a drive causes more wear than leaving it on 24/7. However if power use is a concern you can program it to shut down when idle either directly on the drive or possibly on the router too, depending on what software you have on the router.
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29-08-2014, 23:05
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#3
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cf.mega poster
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Re: running an external HD 24/7?
I run 2 external drives 24/7 on my media server.
Neither have had an issue and qasdfdsaq is right about turning them on and of causing more "wear"
The only drawback and it's not really a drawback is that the drives take a few seconds to spin up when accessed.
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29-08-2014, 23:18
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#4
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cf.mega poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Up North - Where It's Grim
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Re: running an external HD 24/7?
I've got the same router as you and have had an external drive on the go for maybe a couple of years. I go on the logic that it will fail one day and I make sure I've got a copy of everything important somewhere else (eg on our home network, or better still in a different building, or both!).
I'm using a WD drive, don't think it spins down, but it's upstairs so can't hear it. One thing though, the router's only USB2 so it's not the quickest option.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
Grim
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31-08-2014, 02:22
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#5
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Inactive
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Re: running an external HD 24/7?
Some external drives may have an automatic timed spin down when idle, but running a drive 24/7 is better than excessive stop/start.
Take care that drive and power supply do not have their cooling obstructed - better for the drive to be vertically orientated, as that gives better passive cooling.
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31-08-2014, 12:38
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#6
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step on my trip
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,714
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Re: running an external HD 24/7?
I have the same router and have a 2.5" HDD on USB connected to it 24/7. it's been running on it since I got the router between 18 months and 2 years ago I should think. no issues at all. I also have a USB memory stick plugged in 24/7 too - also absolutely fine.
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01-09-2014, 00:33
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#7
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Ice Cold
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Re: running an external HD 24/7?
Thanks for the feedback I'll get that sorted tomorrow then
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05-09-2014, 14:07
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#8
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Inactive
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Wirral / Ex CWC Area
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Re: running an external HD 24/7?
Just to echo what others have said it will be fine. I used to have a twin bay external usb/esata drive enclosure that ran 24/7 for 3 years before I found usb 2.0 wasn't quick enough for me so I put them internal instead. In my case it was a DIY enclosure so I just used old desktop drives in it but you will find any off-the-shelf external hard drive has a normal internal hard drive at its core. These drives are ofcourse fine for 24/7 use and the only factors could be how well designed the enclosure cooling is or if your drive is in direct sunlight, as heat can have a dramatic effect on the speed and lifespan of a mechanical hard drive.
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05-09-2014, 14:56
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#9
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Perfect Soldier
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Re: running an external HD 24/7?
There is a interesting report from an on-line storage company into the longevity of the standard drives that they use.
Seems the median HDD life (at which 50% are still running) is about 6 years.
Out of curiosity I had a look at the stats on my HDD:
It's been running for about 12,500 hours and has been started 3,000 times. Maybe I should think about a replacement.
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05-09-2014, 17:39
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#10
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cf.mega poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 11,207
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Re: running an external HD 24/7?
12,500 hours and 3,000 cycles is nothing. I have drives with 35,000 hours and 5,000 cycles that are nowhere near needing to be replaced. I've even seen laptop drives with over 50,000 cycles on them...
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