• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Any danger in mounting HDs upside down?

AnitaPeterson

AnitaPeterson

Diamond Member
Hi there,

On another forum I visit, a senior member says he's installing his HD upside down in his SFF machine, adding that it will cool better this way.

I'm wondering if anyone here can comment on the idea of mounting HDs with the PCB side up - I'd think there's a higher risk of gathering dust, is there a definite advantage to this solution?
 
Originally posted by: AnitaPeterson
Hi there,

On another forum I visit, a senior member says he's installing his HD upside down in his SFF machine, adding that it will cool better this way.

I'm wondering if anyone here can comment on the idea of mounting HDs with the PCB side up - I'd think there's a higher risk of gathering dust, is there a definite advantage to this solution?
Click to expand...


Shouldn't hurt them, and IMO it definitely doesn't aide in cooling though..
 
The only danger I see is if you have a dusty environment, you can get dust in all the nooks and crannys on the boards that are the underbelly of the drive.
 
shpould be ok
After all, Dell puts them so the back wher eyou plug it in is pointing UP and they work alright
 
Some compaqs stand them on their nose too.

Laptop drives run at all sorts of odd angles and I dont think theyre any different than desktop drives.

 
In one of my system builds a few years back I had to mount the drive that way and it worked just fine; I remember that in several Maxtor installation guides that came with retail hard drives that they showed the installation was possible on any of all of the possible six sides.
 
Should be fine. I have six HDs in my system all laying on their side with 2 fans blowing directly at them. They do collect dust even though I have screens in front of the fans. Routing case cleaning should keep em healthy. You should dust off the inside of you case regularly regardless how you lay your drives.
 
Last I heard it was not fine.

The bearings are supposed to work as advertised 90 degrees in any direction, but not 180.
 
Upside down (PCB up) is one of the two the taboo positions in my book (the other is more than 5 deg. off from horiz or vert). Compaq used to mount some that way to save the cost of a 50 cent bracket and I think it contributed to a lot of premature drive deaths. But most mfrs say it's OK in their drive installation guides now - but I still won't do it and if I find one that way I fix it! It's just not right...

.bh.
 
I've found that dust can get anywhere. If it's next to a fan, dust will stick to any surface, regardless of orientation relative to gravity. If it's been long enough that dust bunnies may form, you're also likely to find cobwebs, which, again, will allow dust to clump to tops, bottoms, and sides of just about anything.
 
Originally posted by: MartinCracauer
Last I heard it was not fine.

The bearings are supposed to work as advertised 90 degrees in any direction, but not 180.
Click to expand...

In any 90 degree orientation... hence flipping it 180 would do no harm. 90 + 90.

As long as you aren't running them at anything other than that ie; 45/30/60 degrees it's just fine.
 
Originally posted by: Jeff7
I've found that dust can get anywhere. If it's next to a fan, dust will stick to any surface, regardless of orientation relative to gravity. If it's been long enough that dust bunnies may form, you're also likely to find cobwebs, which, again, will allow dust to clump to tops, bottoms, and sides of just about anything.
Click to expand...

I lie awake at night afraid of the dust bunnies 😛 LOL
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top