Hard Drives and Their Proper Use

When a user fulfils the desire expressed by the phrase "I'll buy a computer", it is not obvious to them that one of the most important and valuable components in their PC is the hard drive. This is not because the computer has a certain price that cannot be called small. The point is that when a computer is mainly used for work and purchased for an office, after some time the data and information stored on it begin to far exceed the value of the computer itself. Therefore it is very important to use the hard drive properly — so that the information on it remains intact and accessible, and the hard drive itself stays whole and functional.

For a hard drive to remain operational for a long time, and so the user does not have to go to the store that sells computers and components, first of all it is necessary to ensure proper power for the hard drive. Modern hard drives require a lot of electricity; many consider them somewhat "power-hungry". Moreover, the hard drive is a device that is critical to the stability of the mains power. Therefore, to increase the hard drive's service life it is necessary to choose a quality, good power supply for it. As a rule, a good power supply is characterized by parameters such as a high cost and a relatively large weight.

In addition, before buying a computer, special attention must be paid to choosing a case for the hard drive. This is no easy task.

A good case for the hard drive should have the following characteristics:

high-quality one-millimeter-thick steel, and therefore good natural heat dissipation. The case should also be vibration-resistant and possess good rigidity
there should be a sufficiently easy-to-remove bay/caddy for two drives which, despite being lightweight, must be mounted firmly and securely
the case should have a dedicated mounting location for a hard-drive cooling fan

If we talk about the proper use of a hard drive, special attention should be paid to its cooling. Hard drives that come with desktop PCs are better cooled actively. This is not always mentioned in the manuals, but manufacturers always indicate the maximum operating temperature and the permissible temperature variation. It should be noted that when installing a fan, care must be taken to avoid vibrations, electrical interference, or resonances that are harmful to the hard drive. These simple tips help extend the hard drive's service life.