Bad idea to put a computer on top of a subw00fer?

Feb 24, 2001
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I've got a PS2 with a hard drive in it and have it sitting on a table next to me. That thing is loud...

Anyways the only other place close by I can put it is on top of a 10" sub on the floor beside the table. It would be significantly quieter I would think with it being below the table rather than on it.

But what's the real risk of data corruption?

It's a home theater sub (Velodyne VX-10), and certainly not shielded.

Any sort of buffer material I can put between the sub and PS2 to neutralize the magnetic field?
 

Rastus

Diamond Member
Oct 10, 1999
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I think the magnet in the sub has the potential to give hard drive errors.

Also, the vibration will loosen up some parts.
 

Alone

Diamond Member
Nov 19, 2006
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Originally posted by: Rastus
I think the magnet in the sub has the potential to give hard drive errors.

Also, the vibration will loosen up some parts.

You know there's a powerful magnet in your hard drive, right?
 
Feb 24, 2001
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Ok I should clarify that the sub doesn't really ever get used, more of a place holder at the moment. So no worries about it jarring the PS2 and drive around.

I use another sub for the system itself.

 

Theb

Diamond Member
Feb 28, 2006
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Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones

Any sort of buffer material I can put between the sub and PS2 to neutralize the magnetic field?

You can buy magnetic shielding.
 

AUMM

Diamond Member
Mar 13, 2001
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Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones
Ok I should clarify that the sub doesn't really ever get used, more of a place holder at the moment. So no worries about it jarring the PS2 and drive around.

I use another sub for the system itself.

if you're not using the sub even i would use it
 

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
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The magnetic field of a subwoofer magnet will not penetrate past a computer case AND a hard drive casing. It will be fine. Go ahead and do it.
 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
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Originally posted by: PurdueRy
The magnetic field of a subwoofer magnet will not penetrate past a computer case AND a hard drive casing. It will be fine. Go ahead and do it.

The magnetic field wouldn't even be strong enough to re-arrange the bits on the drive platter anyway. I kept my HTPC next to my subwoofer for a year with no ill effects save one lose molex getting rattled out of the optical drive :D

I don't think it'll be a problem, unless the sub causes the game disks to skip :D
 

jpeyton

Moderator in SFF, Notebooks, Pre-Built/Barebones
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Aug 23, 2003
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Vibration is a problem for a running hard drive.

I wouldn't.
 

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
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Originally posted by: jpeyton
Vibration is a problem for a running hard drive.

I wouldn't.

It's a pretty decent Home theater sub...not a crappy PC sub. It's constructed of 3/4" MDF...Box vibrations should be minimal.
 

mobobuff

Lifer
Apr 5, 2004
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Originally posted by: Alone
Originally posted by: Rastus
I think the magnet in the sub has the potential to give hard drive errors.

Also, the vibration will loosen up some parts.

You know there's a powerful magnet in your hard drive, right?

Yes, a magnet that's SUPPOSED to be there. Ever put two magnets next to each other?
 

oynaz

Platinum Member
May 14, 2003
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The magnetic field will not be a problem, however the vibrations might.
 

PurdueRy

Lifer
Nov 12, 2004
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Originally posted by: mobobuff
Originally posted by: Alone
Originally posted by: Rastus
I think the magnet in the sub has the potential to give hard drive errors.

Also, the vibration will loosen up some parts.

You know there's a powerful magnet in your hard drive, right?

Yes, a magnet that's SUPPOSED to be there. Ever put two magnets next to each other?

Put two magnets a foot from each other separated by 2 metal shells and see how much attraction they have to one another
 

mobobuff

Lifer
Apr 5, 2004
11,099
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Originally posted by: PurdueRy
Originally posted by: mobobuff
Originally posted by: Alone
Originally posted by: Rastus
I think the magnet in the sub has the potential to give hard drive errors.

Also, the vibration will loosen up some parts.

You know there's a powerful magnet in your hard drive, right?

Yes, a magnet that's SUPPOSED to be there. Ever put two magnets next to each other?

Put two magnets a foot from each other separated by 2 metal shells and see how much attraction they have to one another

True... and hard drives are stacked on top of each other in almost every computer case with more than one hard drive... You win... this time...

I guess the only problem left would be vibrations, but if you aren't using the subwoofer, you're in the clear.
 
Feb 24, 2001
14,513
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Sounds good folks, will give it a shot. Even if it does corrupt it I still have the DVDs so it would just be a matter of re-installing them. Saves are stored on the memory card, so no risk of loss with it.

Thankee
 

Zolty

Diamond Member
Feb 7, 2005
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Originally posted by: state 08
All I know is that Magnets + Electronics = teh bad.

I wouldn't

Solid State memory is unaffected. The vibrations involved will cause some rattling which can cause damage to the hard disk.
 

imported_Baloo

Golden Member
Feb 2, 2006
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The subwoofer cabinet should be plenty strong enough to support the weight. I'd be more concerned about stuff setting on top falling off due to vibrations if the cabinet is not sitting on a firm surface.
 

GDaddy

Senior member
Mar 30, 2006
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Magnets can do some weird things to electronics, used to do contract work, my company charged a $135 for me to go out, user called saying that thier computer was blue screening. Went out there, glanced at the machine and told them to take the refrigerator magnets off the side of the case. Took my money and ran, that computer never blue screened again.