Are there cases for long-term HD storage?

[PresterJohn]

>I see. So I'm a liar, because I post information that counteracts your ill informed view? I personally wouldn't base my viewpoint on a product based on how four friends appear to view it. The device could have a 24% failure rate, but you would keep on saying that it's 100% reliable

i never said you was a liar, nor do i dispute the veracity of what you posted. but the point that i was making was that people tend to always publicly post complaints rather than praise.

lots of people here slam dell yet there is do doubt they make dependable computers with thousands of satisified home & business users.

i have no vested interest in what you decide. you however, appear a bit hard-headed since you seem to have decided on your own about what to do, yet you profess to asking for others' opinions.

at this point, i could care less what you go with. i've wasted enough time with your antics...

[MikeGn]

Quote:

lots of people here slam dell yet there is do doubt they make dependable computers with thousands of satisified home & business users.

Well, I wasn't going to reply, but I'd like to give my take on the whole Dell situation.

Dell used to make reliable computers, no doubt about that. But because of the depressed economy, and the resulting computer price war, they have been cutting costs wherever they can. One of the Dell's lower-end models is made completely overseas. It couldn't even be called a Dell, except for the fact that the "Dell" logo is stamped on it. This model, along with others, has had a bad reliability record. Further frustrating users is the fact that Dell cut 1500 tech support jobs in the US and moved them to India. While the Indians can speak English, there still are communication issues (due to the accent), and US customers are having a hard time getting help. Up until recently, the PC mags still supported Dell, based on what used to be. But now, they are beginning to come down on Dell. Dell has tried to revamp itself somewhat, and seem more "cool", by using ad campaigns with the "Dell Dude" (or whatever they call him). That's my take, anyway.

Quote:

i have no vested interest in what you decide. you however, appear a bit hard-headed since you seem to have decided on your own about what to do, yet you profess to asking for others' opinions.

Get an External USB 2 drive like Maxtor.

[Jeordiewhite]

oop's double posting...

[Jeordiewhite]

>and the resulting experiences have had me rule out several options.
Who's expirience's?? I thought you heard these stories?
Well, you seem to throw out every other idea and wont take anyones advice, so what's to tell you? execpt that your sol if you don't want to try any of idea's like usb firewire or tape drives, or any other sort.
There is a chance that your data might get ruined, but the best thing you can do is excersize caution and you just might save your self incase of an accident.

[cat1947]

What about putting the drive in a lead lined box. Won't that stop the magnetic waves.
CAT

[MikeGn]

Quote:

Originally posted by cat1947
What about putting the drive in a lead lined box. Won't that stop the magnetic waves.
CAT

You're probably right. But I've yet to see a box that offers these features:

1) Lead-lined.
2) Anti-static lined.
3) Designed to hold a HD, and has the proper cushioning.

I was hoping that perhaps someone knows of a box that has some or all of the above features. It really isn't too likely, but it's worth a shot. You would hope that with the board's nearly 80,000 users, someone might have heard of something like this.

Regards,
Mike Gnitecki

[Richard Cranium]

Ok, unless you're just begging to throw away lots of money, here's a home built solution.

Use a self powered USB option with a "Quality" drive, 7200 rpm is out of the question.
5400 is better, the ones with SMART enabled give more protection than the older units.

If you don't allow power surges such as quick on/off's from power interruption, the IDE drive should prove satisfactory.
Like said before, redundancy is the best option, multiple.

Use low speed SCSI drives in the main machines [7200 or less]


$39.95
External USB 2.0 HD Case for 3.5" IDE Drives

$14.00
Soyo USB 2.0 4-Port PCI Controller Card

$10
One US Army Surplus ammo box

$25
3 sq ft of 1/8" Lead Sheet

$15
1 can of Aerosol GE Glyptol Insulating Paint

$10
3M 77 Spray Adhesive

$12
2 tubes of JB Weld or Plastic Steel, any steel/aluminum Epoxy mix

$12
Myers Hub to fit USB Cable

$3
Gold RTV sealer to seal USB cable

Take the Ammo can, cut the lead to line the sides of the box.

Spray the inside, let sit for 10 min or so until not tacky.
Line the box with the lead.
Use the JB Weld on all the seams to protect radiation inleakage.

Use the GE Glyptal on the lead for insulation from static, and line the box with foam glued in with cloth glued to the foam.

Make a lid "INSIDE' the box to go on top of the drive.

If ya use enough of the foam rubber, the drive will take over 500g's
Stock drives take over 300

Drill a hole for the usb cable
Use the Myers Hub for "strain relief"
JB Weld it on the inside for radiation protection, gob it on.
Use the RTV on the outside of the Myers Hub.

Forget the drilling if the situation allows the storage of the cable inside the box.

Look in the yellow pages for "Mill Supply" stores for most of this, heating and air for the lead, or sheet metal dealers.

what do ya think.

cya
Doc

[Richard Cranium]

Since you mention magnetic radiation, I offer some experience.

You can get a cheap MRF detector for less than $50, I forget the company as it's been several years since I ordered one.

Take the meter around your world, check everything. I did.

The hottest items in our society are step down transformers, the little ones in the wall that step down 115v AC to say 6 volts DC

Those emit over 30mg at a distance of 6"
You have to get over 24" away to totally drop the meter to Zero.

2mg is the max reccomended exposure for 8 hrs [milli gauss]

Any item with a electric motor puts off magnetic radiation, hair dryers, celing fans, old electric clocks are evil monsters spewing the world..

Just FYI, the benign items in our world are TV's, Computers & Monitors, microwave ovens [I've purchased microwave leak detectors previously] etc

I haven't checked cell phones for MRF's

gluck

[MikeGn]

Thank you for the very helpful response, Doc. I'll try to give your solution a try soon.

Regarding the MRF detector, I found one online: the Raymaster Multidetector II Plus. Unfortunately, at two online stores that have it in-stock, it's $98. Is this the one that you were referring to, or are there other (hopefully less expensive) detectors?

Thanks,
Mike Gnitecki