Hard Disk Longevity Question...

I was just wondering how much effect certain software (and its repeated use) has on the longevity of a laptop hard disk. I've had problems in the past, and I just want to make certain it isn't my own fault.

Specifically, I was wondering if programs that generate many, many read/write operations on large tracts of the hard drive will lower its lifespan. I'm thinking here of things like in depth drive scans, defrag programs, file compression and encryption procedures, and free-space erasers. But, if people have any other best practices advice, I'd be glad to hear it.

Thanks.

 

Hi.

read the PDF below.

http://labs.google.com/papers/disk_failures.pdf

regards

John.

 

A typical laptop harddrive according to any of the manufacturers have a reported life of 1,000,000 hours, which is total BS.

I have never had a desktop drive last for over 50,000 hours. 50,000 hours = 5.71 years non stop.
In my experience:
The expected life of any given desktop drive is around 40,000 hours-50,000 hours.
The expected life of any given laptop harddrive is around 10,000 hours.

Obviously, if you are running extremely harddrive taxing programs, you are putting more load and strain on the harddrive, which would lead to shorter life. The heads simply wear down faster.
This should not be a problem though. Many harddrives become corrupt after 4 years of write cycling. Especially in laptop harddrives, because they are continually bounced and moved around.

If you want your harddrive to last, do not use the harddrive when in a car, or walking around the house, walking up stairs and such.
Spend the 10 seconds and put the system into standby.

The harddrives in the pdf are enterprise drives, which are designed to last longer and take a beating.

K-TRON

 

Thank you both.

K-Tron, the information you gave is useful, but I'm trying to work out its application more specifically. Do you have any idea how much effect intensive use will have on how long the drive lasts (you sound as if you've gone through enough drives to divine pattersn)? Also, what constitutes "intensive" use. For example, the Windows page file is rewritten all the time, is that intensive drive usage?

 

Intensive meaning high use, like compressing dvd video, and video editing.

Typing, and internet browsing does not classify as intensive.

The life of the harddrive can vary greatly depending on use and care. A harddrive subject to little or no shock will outlast and perform any harddrive which is subject to continual vibration.

If you plan on using your laptop for continuous video editing, the drive may only last 5000-7000 hours, which is still a pretty long time.

K-TRON