envy 17/hdd shock protection ....

i have a 1011nr with an 80GB ssd for my OS/programs, the second drive is a 750GB that i use for data storage.

i have a few applications that i run from the 750GB drive that use the drive constantly for about 5-7 hrs at a time while a job is running ...

in short i'm in a situation where the laptop sometimes gets bumped or vibrated slightly, while jobs are running. so far i haven't seen a problem with the output of the running jobs, and i haven't spotted any bad sectors on the disk, but i was thinking about removing the drive from it's caddy and instead using foam padding, or maybe installing rubber washers/grommets between the drive and the laptop body to try to reduce the effect of vibration on the drive.

anyone have any suggestions on what type of foam and anywhere i can find pre-cut material to install ? i think foam padding on both sides of the drive will work better than rubber washers or maybe there are rubber button screws that i can use to push in to the holes to suspend the drive/cage in place

 

You will do more harm then good. By you padding the HDD you will increase its temperature which will be more prone to failures. Laptop HDD's are already in a tight area if the HDD starts to fail you will get an error. Dont mess with whats not broken.

 

The rubber HDD mounts already in the ENVY seem more than sufficient. Don't forget the ENVY has 3D Driveguard protection as well.

http://www.hp.com/sbso/solutions/pc_expertise/professional_innovations/hp-3d-drive-guard.pdf

 

those rubber mounts you refer to are on the primary drive cage, not the secondary. i am looking for a mounting solution for the secondary, which uses traditional screws to mount the drive and cage to the laptop.

ideally i would want something shaped like a screw, but made of rubber, that i can simply push into the hole and have some sort of added vibration protection. it's a shame that HP didn't make the secondary drive cage with the same rubber mounting tabs as is on the primary.

drive guard and other built-in shock protection technologies are meant to sense g-forces for a falling laptop, in the case of a laptop being bumped into or other quick shocks that occur within a fraction of a second, it is possible for the drive head to lose it's position or touch the platter when it's in use and there is a sudden movement. in this case we are talking bad sectors on the platter.

 

i understand what you're saying. there are some less-dense foams that are porous enough to allow breathing for the drive. as it's situated now, there isn't much of a vent for the drive, i see the slots on the drive cover, but there is a thin membrane there that reduces dust accumulation in the compartment. that also hinders airflow.