How long is an External Drive good for?

U

UndertheRadar

macrumors member

Original poster

• Apr 24, 2007

• #1

I have a Lacie external FW drive that i want to put some files onto and then store away. How long will the drive last without power? Is there a chance of the drive dying or losing information?
Thanks🙂

 

JNB

macrumors 604

• Apr 24, 2007

• #2

UndertheRadar said:

I have a Lacie external FW drive that i want to put some files onto and then store away. How long will the drive last without power? Is there a chance of the drive dying or losing information?
Thanks🙂

Click to expand...

The drive unpowered will last indefinitely, and the components won't disintegrate for at least several hundred years. 😉

That being said, the magnetically stored data will likely lose at least some of its integrity within 15-40 years, depending on the studies you read and the quality of the platters. YMMV

 

F

Fearless Leader

macrumors 68020

• Apr 24, 2007

• #3

not dropping the crive really improves lifetime 😀😱
ahh what a horrid memory.

 

U

UndertheRadar

macrumors member

Original poster

• Apr 25, 2007

• #4

Thanks!🙂