External Hard Drive Maintenance

[Nick12QB]

I have two ext. HD's connect to my iMac, and because I use boot camp and also just regularly turn off my computer I often restart the computer or put it to sleep a few times per day, which means my external drives are put in and out of standby often. Does this practice hurt or lessen the life of my external hard drives? Should I be using them only when I need them on?

 

[mad jew]

Depending on how the cases were designed, this should be fine. I guess it'd be a good idea to turn them off if you're not using them all day though.

 

[jonnylink]

I think the main thing that shortens the life of any HD is spinning. If the HD isn't spinning it shouldn't really affect anything.

 

[mad jew]

True. As with most hardware, starting it up puts it under strain too.