[wplug] OT - word of warning on Maxtor 250GB drives

[Michael Skowvron]

Vanco, Don wrote:
> All my drives are kept in open air where possible as they all get
> cooking hot during this process.  

Are you saying that you have many of your drives in USB enclosures and 
you keep them tops off to dissipate the heat? I have an almost identical 
setup, except that I'm using a bunch of 1394 enclosures.

I started off using the small 3 1/2" enclosures and left the lids off 
for cooling. Later I switched to the 5 1/4" cases because they had 
larger cooling fans. I have the top on, but the front of the enclosure 
is open and I've added a baffle to direct the airflow across the drive.

http://www.penguincentral.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=64&pos=0

I have proven to myself that heat is the primary factor in drive 
reliability. Those drives that I've been able to keep cool to the touch 
have been trouble-free. Those that have been allowed to get hot or even 
warm to the touch, have reliability problems.

My 4x120 and 4x250 RAIDs have fans directly in front of them. They are 
cool to the touch and have been reliable. No drive replacements so far.

http://www.penguincentral.org/gallery/displayimage.php?album=64&pos=1


Michael