HDD demagnetization question

[patrion87]

operating temperature, storage temperature, humidity, age (manufactured in 2010) on 2.5" and 3.5" HDDs all cause long term demagnetization and bit rot of these HDDs?

[Dooby]

In short, yes. They need powering up for extended periods too (keeps parts from fusing together). Long story, it can take decades but they decay like everything else. Put them in vacuum bags and store them in a cool, dry place with a relatively even temperature if you don't plan to access them regularly.

[lingyi]

You've given the right answer, but don't be drawn into gamemaniaco's, gamemaniaco2, samus87, et al. endless questioning that will inevitably follow.

Post subject: Re: Question demagnetization hddsPostPosted: Yesterday, 7:42
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https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads ... t-23432095
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https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/417 ... ost2766890
https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/topic4104389.html
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https://forum.hddguru.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45106

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« Last Edit: January 05, 2025, 05:49:15 pm by hexreader »


https://www.eevblog.com/forum/general-computing/doubts-dvd-drive-of-pc/25/

[Dooby]

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« Last Edit: January 05, 2025, 05:49:15 pm by hexreader »

Remind me, I owe you a coffee.

[patrion87]

In short, yes. They need powering up for extended periods too (keeps parts from fusing together). Long story, it can take decades but they decay like everything else. Put them in vacuum bags and store them in a cool, dry place with a relatively even temperature if you don't plan to access them regularly.

I energize the 2.5" HDDs once a year for a few minutes but the storage temperature and humidity is the one mentioned above and I have no way of controlling it. The main problems would be demagnetization and bit rot.

[Dooby]

Cloud storage. It's the future.

[patrion87]

?????

[Dooby]

Your drives will become sick long before google and Amazon S3 storage buckets do.
You know some of their servers are house in nuclear proof bunkers, right?

Better to encrypt your files and upload them if you want to keep them until you join God's heavenly choir.

[patrion87]

My question is only about the demagnetization of HDDs at high temperature 34-36C humidity 57-67%

[Dooby]

Add more fans, and I answered you: Yes (same answer as Tom's Hardware). Mammoths have been preserved in ice.

Put them in vacuum bags and store them in a cool, dry place with a relatively even temperature if you don't plan to access them regularly.

Buy a cooler if you're worried. Don't forget the bags; add a silica crystal sachet to them to absorb the little moisture in the bag.
Keep them from freezing (10°C, 53.6 in Fahrenheit is good).