(From [Tsuniper-X])
Well, i DID explain that PEHD stands for Personal External Hard Drive. If
you have Seagate 40GB PEHD, it would be awesome. Anyway, this PEHD is
USB-powered, so the device turns on as soon as i connect it to the computer,
obviously, while the computer is on. i use this PEHD mainly for data backup,
although i'm sick of sharing computer with my sister because of "my" way of
controling the computer.(Account settings, an ATTEMPT to assign a partition
as a personal drive for many people-you would know what this means if you go
to school, most school computer supports this method-, disabling
right-clicking, download permissions, etc.)
i have no pet, no elements(IDK why this subject had popped up), i live in
east coast of U.S., HOPEFULLY less than half a mile above sea level. i keep
my PEHD inside the box that kept PEHD until i bought it, like an egg-holder
that holds egg. i keep this box inside my closet until i have further NOTICE.
i format this PEHD quite often, because i THINK it's better than just
deleting the files, and i'm pretty worried about "abusive" formatting right
now.
The basic question is "What is the maximum time the hard drive can keep data
to itself?" i hate myself for not questioning in this way, but now i did
anyway. This question has been rising up after the realization of "CD's won't
last forever", which concerned my PEHD because that's the only backup system
i can...rely!
i now realize that i should have asked this question to computer hardware
manufacturers, but it's too late. i asked this to Newsgroup because i THINK i
have heard that the maximum time the hard drive can keep data to itself was
less than a day in about 30 years ago, and gradually increased with better
technology. The point of this question is "What keeps data?" i'm simply
looking for an ABSOLUTE backup system.
Shenan Stanley said:
Tsuniper-X said:
David Candy said:
"CDs last from 2 to 50 years. Make two (on different brands) and test
every two years. Shop bought CDs will last longer."
Then my obvious concern goes to my little PEHD.(Personal External
Hard Drive) How long does INTERNAL hard drives last? For EXTERNAL
hard drives?
Tsuniper-X said:
(From [Tsuniper-X])
Thanks for your replies people...but i still need a solid answer...
There is no "solid answer".
It's like you asking "How long will this rock last" and not giving any
further details.
- Are you sealing it in a vacuum bag, in a sealed metal safe encased in 6ft
of concrete?
- Are you putting it on the dash of your car?
- Will it be moved around?
- Will it be exposed to the elements - if so - what elements?
- Will you be touching it?
- Will anyone else be touching it - and how often?
- What elevation do you live at?
- Will you ever move?
Your "PEHD" (as you put it and never explained further - for example - is it
a static ram drive or one with moving platters?) will last as long as it
lasts in your environment given its level of use, exposure to different
situations, treatment and so on.
