Storage: External Enclosure (hard drive): FAN OR NO FAN?
Addonics models
by byu1980 - 8/20/06 3:39 AM In reply to: SATA and IDE by rakine23It appears that even the AE5SACSU2 (USB 2.0 w/o firewire model) uses the SATA - IDE/ATAPI converter to connect to an IDE drive (or does it convert a SATA drive to an IDE device?). See this URL:
http://www.addonics.com/products/io/adsaide.asp. It looks like this has to connect to an IDE cable coming from an IDE channel on the motherboard, and defeats the purpose of having an external enclosure connected to the PC via a USB 2.0 port. Wouldn't the SATA hard drive be outside the enclosure in this case? Keep in mind I only have IDE (Ultra ATA/100) hard drives now. I'm using both ports on both IDE channels on my IDE-only motherboard. Addonics has a model AE5IDECSU2 that doesn't accommodate SATA that is more like the IDE-only units I've been looking at. Also, I've seen (but can't remember where) one make/model that had all the alternative connectors inside the enclosure for both IDE and SATA. Again, because I'm likely 2 years away from a new system, I'll probably buy a couple of IDE-only enclosures, possibly the Addonics AE5IDECSU2.
Thanks for your help.
byu1980
by rakine23 - 8/20/06 9:50 AM In reply to: Addonics models by byu1980E-mail Addonics. They usually respond withing 24 hours.
The AE5SACSUF that I told you about can accomodate both SATA and IDE. To use it with IDE, just remove the converter that attaches to the IDE cable of the enclosure.
High Capacity, medium to high access usage....RESPONSE..
by corneleousbutt - 7/22/06 1:13 PM In reply to: External Enclosure (hard drive): FAN OR NO FAN? by rakine23These days to many people think that you can just stick in a component and expect it to work for years.
Not so..!!.. The main enemy of any electronic part is heat. Remove the heat and you can expect longer more stable operation of whatever you have at hand.
Todays harddrives(higher capacity) are running hot to the touch, with marginal use, so it is a wise move to cool it off as much as reasonably possible.
I can't stress it more...GET AN EXTERNAL ENCLOSURE WITH A FAN THAT HAS GOOD CROSS FLOW OF AIR. ie. air comes in on one side, cools, then exits, without reentering the enclosure(Recirculating the air so that it reenters the enclosure can super heat the component/s, causing premature failure)
What I have indicated applys to all enclosures.
As an aside topic now:
My endevours to reach this goal with computer chassics includes removing the punched fan screens, drilling vent holes in the fronts, ogmenting the fans to draw air in and vent in specific directions, etc., to drop internal temps to a managable level. And to be fair these days most manufacturers are providing adequate ventilation for their chassics(you should look!)but not enough fans to move the air.
Two of the more popular tiny trial/freeware software packages might be helpful to view temps are, Everest Corporate and AIDA32(in the computer sensor section.)or the computer BIOS may monitor the temperature of the CPU, and the motherboard which are available to view(CPU temp can be set, to alarm and shutdown at specified temperature on some motherboards)
Hope That was of help
Regards Dan,
Electronics Control/Mechanical Technologist
I suggested a Bytecc unit at NewEgg...(URL below) but the
by VAPCMD - 7/22/06 6:30 PM In reply to: High Capacity, medium to high access usage....RESPONSE.. by corneleousbuttbut the post in an earlier wasn't acknowledged. Can't waste any more time on a poster who doesn't acknowledge or have the manners to offer a simple 'Thanks'.
Here's the post and the product link....
"Might try your search at
Newegg.com....they've got an excellent search engine for their products. Not sure it makes anything faster with a 3.0GB SATA as the max USB 2.0 transfer rate is limited to 480Mb/s.
This one might work ...if you can find it in stock
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16817145390
PS...I have several Adaptec 3.5" and 2.5" enclosures that have no fan and all still work perfectly. I also bought one of the Bytecc units (IDE with USB only) and it has two fans. Not in action yet....may post later.
VAPCMD
by rakine23 - 7/22/06 7:35 PM In reply to: I suggested a Bytecc unit at NewEgg...(URL below) but the by VAPCMDI did see it but could not e-mail the company for more info so going with another brand.
See my most recent post and give some suggestion if you have one.
VAPCDM
by rakine23 - 7/22/06 10:05 PM In reply to: You keep posting on same topic but reject advice offered. by VAPCMDThe reason I do not put "thanks" is because it is a waste of space. What I mean is if I say "thanks" to each reply, then it is frustrating for the person replying to my post because he or she has to read through each post.
'The reason I do not put "thanks" is because it is a waste
by VAPCMD - 7/23/06 10:26 AM In reply to: VAPCDM by rakine23of space.' That's your call. But if you don't get many or any responses to your posts, stop and think. It just could be because you don't accept advice offered or more likely that you don't acknowledge or offer "Thanks" to those who take their valuable time and energy to share their knowledge, experience or opinions. They're under no obligation to do so.
Peace,
VAPCMD
Saying thanks
by kwkid - 8/11/06 2:25 PM In reply to: 'The reason I do not put "thanks" is because it is a waste by VAPCMDWhile I will agree that the courteous thing to do would be to say thank you, I will also point out that it is in most forums regarded as bad netiqutte. The people who read the forums do not want to wade through page after page of thanks to everyone who has contributed. They would quickly abandon the forum, therefore defeating the open exchange of ideas. A much more palatable solution is to wait until the flow of ideas has slowed to a crawl on the particular topic, and then for the people who wish to include a thank you to do so, but with the subject line saying Thank You so that readers can easily distinguish the topic of that particular message.
Warning: The opinion stated here is my own and one that I adhere to. It does NOT mean that I am right or wrong, or that I am somehow better or worse than any other valuable contributor to this forum. That being said, I find that the majority of contributors do not offer their opinions for any other reason than to help resolve a problem or answer a question. Period. They have no other motivations except to help. They freely share their knowledge and expertise for the benefit of the entire computer community. While they deserve ample amounts of praise and thanks, that is not their motivation or desire. To illicit a response for "thanks" does a huge disservice to not only the illicitor, but the community as a whole. The only response we should require would be to let the community know what the resolution was so that we can all learn and grow. If thanks are included, that is no problem and welcomed, but it should NEVER be a requirement for posting.
Position noted and agree the help was offered without
by VAPCMD - 8/12/06 6:42 PM In reply to: Saying thanks by kwkidcondition.
Nonetheless, it's always appropriate to say 'Thanks' when people go out of their way or take time to offer assistance ... even if stated in advance.
If in doubt ... give 'Thanks' a try and see how people respond to you. Then choose 'Thanks' or "No Thanks' whichever one fits you best.
VAPCMD
ADAPTEC h.d. enclosure and failed W-D, 120GB h.d...both new
by jiffytech2 - 8/4/06 7:46 AM In reply to: External Enclosure (hard drive): FAN OR NO FAN? by rakine23cnetsean,
In the short period of time my ADAPTEC hard disk enclosure (from Best Buy) worked it never seemed to get that warm. I had a new 120GB W-D Caviar hard disk that I installed in it. As far as I could tell the aluminum case (with no fan) was able to dissipate the heat generated by the hard disk. However, the W-D hard disk only worked intermittently from the beginning and ultimately failed within a few days. Realistically, I think this W-D hard disk was malfunctioning prior to any potential heat damage
I am awaiting to hear W-D's diagnosis of this hard disk, as I have no idea why it died so rapidly...or possibly it was deffective from the manufacturer.
Kevin
Some further comments on ADAPTEC
by NooYawka - 8/4/06 12:19 PM In reply to: ADAPTEC h.d. enclosure and failed W-D, 120GB h.d...both new by jiffytech2I bought an ADAPTEC enclosure last year after purchasing a new computer. Took the 80G from the old PC and installed it in the enclosure (no fan) No problems to-date, but you guys have me scared. Periodically I grasp it to test the temp and found it to be warm but not hot. I also have a 250G external HD (no fan) and no problems. My computer is located in the basement below grade w/o A/C. I do have a fan to circulate the air in the computer room. Maybe I better get a fan to focus on the external drives? One thing I did last year was to remoce the side panel from the PC and left it off. While I lost a fan, I believe that the heat is not as contained and the other fans are
Get a case with a fan!!!
by richbwood - 8/5/06 12:40 PM In reply to: External Enclosure (hard drive): FAN OR NO FAN? by rakine23I got a hard drive that didn’t work in my computer, and with no money to replace it or warranty (no return sales) I got a 3.5” enclosure to use (no fan) to use on my three-computer network (24 – 7). The Maxtor drive quit after 3 months, (80 GB. Drive – had 52 GB. Used) lost it all! I had a 250 GB drive that I was saving to put in a rebuild, but I put it in the case but I cut a hole in the top of the case and put a CPU fan on it – keeps it cold!
old.giant61
Nod to fans.
by R. Proffitt
- 8/6/06 4:11 PM
In reply to: External Enclosure (hard drive): FAN OR NO FAN? by rakine23
While I have one excellant no-fan case I think it's the rare design and not the usual. The fan, however small wins.
Bob
Hard drive cooling
by TreknologyNet - 8/11/06 6:27 AM In reply to: External Enclosure (hard drive): FAN OR NO FAN? by rakine23I have three external drives which are metal and have open grills on front and side edges, no fan. I have a plastic, totally enclosed unit, no fan.
Because I'm doing video production which really thrashes drives about, I use the "open" enclosures for long periods, and only use the plastic one for backing up, so that it doesn't accumulate heat.
My own experience is that the mechanical parts of the hard drive can cope with heat quite well, but the controller circuitry is what needs protection. Seagate released a series of drives that came wrapped in a soft rubber envelope, and I enquired about overheating--they report "no problems". My experience is the same.
I have a preference for fans, but they are not always going to be essential. In my enclosed server, I have huge fans which can be turned off when recording something, I have measured the drive temperatures in both situations, 30C/86F to 50C/122F.
Because of a CPU burnout, the machine I'm typing this on, has a 12 inch floor fan blowing in the side. Drive temperature is 34C/93F. Despite being winter in Australia, being fitted with three fans and a heatsink that weighs as much as a bull-bar, the chip temperature is still up to 70C/158F.
These days, a high-power chip is pulling as much power as a hunting spot-light, hard drives a low load by comparison, so for drives, metal enclosures with heatsinking should be adequate.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
