Why are hard drives open at the bottom?

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  1. Posts : 439
    Windows 7 pro x64 SP1
       #1

    Why are hard drives open at the bottom?


    Why are HDDs open to the elements on one side? There's got to be a reason. You'd think it'd be a recipe for disaster.

    Why are hard drives open at the bottom?-hdd.jpg

    must get out more . . .
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  2. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #2

    Just guessing:
    ...it cost more to enclose that part
    ...it would be harder to swap the controller board
    ...the manufacturers win when you have to buy a new one

    Heat dissipation is probably the main reason.
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  3. Posts : 10,485
    W7 Pro SP1 64bit
       #3

    3D Jed said:
    ...
    must get out more . . .
    Doing so might cause you to lose your membership in the vitamin D deficiency club!

    ...and we would all miss you ;-)
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 3,371
    W10 Pro desktop, W11 laptop, W11 Pro tablet (all 64-bit)
       #4

    Just the card is exposed because there is no reason to cover it. As long as it installed properly nothing can short against it just like any other card or even the mobo In your PC.
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  5. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #5

    strollin said:
    Just the card is exposed because there is no reason to cover it. As long as it installed properly nothing can short against it just like any other card or even the mobo In your PC.
    I would think (yeah, I know, a dangerous thing for me to do) the danger would come when handling the drive before installation or when using internal drives in docks for backups, etc. (like I do; I'm so paranoid, I handle mine while wearing anti-static gloves).
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  6. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #6

    I'm thinking cooling and lack of a need to cover it up.
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  7. Posts : 2,497
    Windows 7 Pro 64 bit
       #7

    This situation is hardly unique in computers. The motherboard and expansion cards are also fully exposed. About the only case where circuitry is enclosed is in the PSU and that is necessary for safety reasons. Outside of the PSU the highest voltage will be about 12 volts so safety is no concern. Completely enclosing the hard drive is unnecessary and would make cooling more difficult. As it is the HD platters and other sensitive components are protected.
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  8. Posts : 3,371
    W10 Pro desktop, W11 laptop, W11 Pro tablet (all 64-bit)
       #8

    Lady Fitzgerald said:
    I would think (yeah, I know, a dangerous thing for me to do) the danger would come when handling the drive before installation or when using internal drives in docks for backups, etc. (like I do; I'm so paranoid, I handle mine while wearing anti-static gloves).
    I doubt hdd manufacturer's would consider putting a drive in a dock "proper" installation. The mfr designed the drive to be installed properly by properly trained people that know how to handle the drive. If someone that doesn't know the proper way to handle the drive handles or installs it incorrectly, it isn't the drive mfr's concern.

    I've handled hundreds, if not thousands of cards and drives with exposed circuitry over my 30 year career and (to my knowledge) never had one fail because I handled it improperly.

    There's no doubt that covering it up would protect it better but it isn't deemed necessary and would drive up the cost needlessly.
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 13,576
    Windows 10 Pro x64
       #9

    strollin said:
    Just the card is exposed because there is no reason to cover it. As long as it installed properly nothing can short against it just like any other card or even the mobo In your PC.

    Exactly. A hard drive is fully enclosed.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 9,600
    Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #10

    strollin said:
    Lady Fitzgerald said:
    I would think (yeah, I know, a dangerous thing for me to do) the danger would come when handling the drive before installation or when using internal drives in docks for backups, etc. (like I do; I'm so paranoid, I handle mine while wearing anti-static gloves).
    I doubt hdd manufacturer's would consider putting a drive in a dock "proper" installation. The mfr designed the drive to be installed properly by properly trained people that know how to handle the drive. If someone that doesn't know the proper way to handle the drive handles or installs it incorrectly, it isn't the drive mfr's concern.

    I've handled hundreds, if not thousands of cards and drives with exposed circuitry over my 30 year career and (to my knowledge) never had one fail because I handled it improperly.

    There's no doubt that covering it up would protect it better but it isn't deemed necessary and would drive up the cost needlessly.
    Never said they needed the circuit board covered up. I was just pointing out what could be a concern. In the dry climate I live in, ESD is a huge concern year round.
      My Computer


 
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