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Archive 2014 · HDD in cold weather

  
 
Joshua J. Ahern
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · HDD in cold weather


Hi there

I bought a Seagate hard drive from EBay.
It came in yesterday but the package was let outside my house
at a temperature of -30C for few hours.

Should I let it "dry" for few hours before using it?

Can the cold affect the functionality of the drive?

thank you

Jean-Yves



Jan 03, 2014 at 11:40 AM
sjms
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · HDD in cold weather


lets see:
hopefully you have brought it inside to ask this question at about 11:40
I am answering it at approx 12:50

I think its about ready for use now or by the time you read this.


with spinning HDs it is to your advantage to get it into its operating temp for longevity.



Jan 03, 2014 at 12:53 PM
colinm
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · HDD in cold weather


As sjms said, it should be thawed out and fine by now.

And no harm done. Minimum non-operating temperature for Seagate drives (and, in fact, most drives) is -40.



Jan 03, 2014 at 07:05 PM
Joshua J. Ahern
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · HDD in cold weather


thanks guys
I really appreciate
the little beast is inside since a while and works well



Jan 03, 2014 at 07:25 PM
sjms
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · HDD in cold weather


sorta thought so


Jan 03, 2014 at 08:38 PM
heed
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · HDD in cold weather


Spinning drives are largely unaffected by cold. However, always be careful to let it come up to room temp inside a plastic bag, anti static bag, etc. so it doesn't get any condensation on it.



Jan 03, 2014 at 11:41 PM
sjms
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · HDD in cold weather


When was the last time you spun up a HD at -22f?. Or even 0f.


Jan 03, 2014 at 11:49 PM
justruss
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · HDD in cold weather


I don't see any reason why running an HDD at 0 F ambient would matter. Most electronics run more efficiently when cool.

In fact, last-ditch efforts to save a failing HDD-- in order to copy off any data-- includes putting the HDD in the freezer for a few hours before rushing to get it to spin-up and make the transfer.

As others have mentioned, the biggest issue is potential condensation. If you run a 0 F HDD at 70 F ambient, you may well get droplets of water forming, which could short something out or corrode wiring over time. Same as we worry about with cameras. But, again, this is mostly an over-thought issue... many photographers get condensation dozens of times without any negative long-term impact. But it's a risk.

In any case, sounds like the OP is well in the clear by now!



Jan 04, 2014 at 06:13 AM
sjms
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · HDD in cold weather


getting it started is not steady state running.


Jan 04, 2014 at 11:18 AM
15Bit
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · HDD in cold weather


heed wrote:
Spinning drives are largely unaffected by cold.

Sure about that? I'd be at least a little concerned about the lubrication of the bearings.



Jan 05, 2014 at 01:52 PM





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