Solved External Hard Drive maintenace?

[bobright]

So other than defragment is there anything else I could do maintain and prolong the life of an External HDD? I have come across some things via google but most are old from years ago looking for some recent takes on this.

All tips and replies would be appreciated.

 

[Brink]

Hello Bob,

If you are not going to be using it often, then you could leave it turned off until needed. This will help on wear and tear as long as you are not constantly turning it off and on.

 

[bobright]

Brink, right on yeah its always off unless I am adding files to it as I use it as a backup External HDD.

I got a question on the defragmenting part - is it good to defragment before or after adding files to the drive? (I am talking files i want to back up and save music/photos)

 

[Brink]

It doesn't really matter as long as you do it every so often to keep the percentage of fragmentation down. If you are going to defrag anyways though, you might as well wait until after saving files to it.

 

[DeaconFrost]

If you are replacing and changing the files often, I'd consider defragging it once every two weeks or so as needed.

I have one I use to back up my server, and I turn it on once a month, backup the data drives, and then I shut it off.

 

[manhunter2826]

yep as said/inferred; if constantly plugged in, be careful of voltage spikes -- they can 'blow' the drive. if u have a ups -- use it .

 

[bobright]

I appreciate that guys, understood and scales tipped (except Brink need to spread some rep around first).

 

[DeaconFrost]

You're welcome...and thanks for the rep!

 

[Brink]

You're most welcome Bob.