google's research on hard drives

[dznutz]

i've heard about this but just recently read it. the site has the pdf link

http://storagemojo.com/?p=378

some points i thought was interesting:

- hd temps have a sweet spot for the lowest failure rates. about 35-45c. higher than this range failure rates increases but lower temps are even worse.

- older drives are more affected by heat than newer drives.

- hd brands do play a role in failure rates but google would not publish the data. [maxtor?]

- almost 50% of drives may fail without SMART warning.

- newer drives sold today show less failure rates than older drives and is perhaps due to new drive technology

- drives have high infant mortality. drives should be used excessively and if it fails early replace using the warranty. if it doesn't then it's likely going to last a long time.

 

[PohTayToez]

Very interesting. I wonder how many hard drives google replaces every day.

 

[SirKenin]

I can pretty much guarantee you that the high failure rates are Western Digitals, if their findings are anywhere close to mine.

 

[porterjw]

- older drives are more affected by heat than newer drives.

- newer drives sold today show less failure rates than older drives and is perhaps due to new drive technology

- drives have high infant mortality. drives should be used excessively and if it fails early replace using the warranty. if it doesn't then it's likely going to last a long time.

They actually spent money to have someone research this? Wow...

 

[PunterCam]

I can pretty much guarantee you that the high failure rates are Western Digitals, if their findings are anywhere close to mine.

Agreed. Stupidly I've just bought one, it was cheap, I was drawn in by the price!

 

[diduknowthat]

I can pretty much guarantee you that the high failure rates are Western Digitals, if their findings are anywhere close to mine.

Really? My WD's has never broken down on me, but my Hitachi is acting up quite a bit as well as my Samsung.