Tom's Hardware UK and Ireland Forums » Storage » Hard Disks » Is it safe to store a hard drive in a TV shelf UNDER a 27'' CRT TV?
 

Is it safe to store a hard drive in a TV shelf UNDER a 27'' CRT TV?

Advanced Search

CPU & Components : djcoolmasterx Motherboards & Memory : yllibbow Homebuilt Systems : stevozilik Windows XP : wez and 170 unknown users
Add a reply



 Word :   Username :  
 
Bottom
Author
 Thread : Is it safe to store a hard drive in a TV shelf UNDER a 27'' CRT TV?
 
Profile: stranger
More Information

The title pretty much sums it up.  My TV sits on top of the TV shelf and there are two spaces.  One is for my VCR and the other is for 2 hard drives that I use for storage and backup purposes.  They're actually Seagate 7200.10 (firmware AAJ) that I've placed in external enclosures.  Are there traces of magnetism from the TV that could kill my HDs?  One thing I've noticed is that the two HD's that are down there show a fitness + performance of 90-92% (through speedfan) while two of the same drives (AAJ and AAE firmware) in my computer case show 96-98%.  The ones in my case have been running for almost a year now for almost 12 hrs/day while the external ones have been up for probably less than 72 hours total.  Could the TV be causing this degradation?

Related Pr oduct
Register or log in to remove.

Profile: stranger
More Information

I'll also add that the raw read error isn't as high for the external drives as compared to the internal ones in my case (100 - "normal"  vs 117 - "very good" ).  

Profile: old hand
More Information

As far as the magnetic field goes, there is absolutely no danger to the hard drive.  The magnetic field strength that would be required to alter data on the hard drives is several orders of magnitude higher than what the TV could possibly generate, much less what it could leak.
 
Your performance numbers are lower for the externals due to the interface (USB, I assume).


---------------
- SomeJoe7777
 
"Did he dazzle you with his extensive knowledge of mineral water? Or was it his in-depth analysis of, uh, uh, Marky Mark that finally reeled you in?" - Troy Dyer (Ethan Hawke), Reality Bites, 1994
Profile: enthusiast
More Information

I agree with SomeJoe..  
 
I will say your data is probably in more jeopardy from the TV falling thru the shelf and crushing your drives!!

Sniper
Profile: Forum Veteran
More Information

SomeJoe7777 wrote :

As far as the magnetic field goes, there is absolutely no danger to the hard drive.  The magnetic field strength that would be required to alter data on the hard drives is several orders of magnitude higher than what the TV could possibly generate, much less what it could leak.
 
Your performance numbers are lower for the externals due to the interface (USB, I assume).


Agreed. Well said.


---------------
E2180 @3.2Ghz + P35DS3L +8400GS (700/475 OC)  
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3268/2588429538_b3c41b29c3.jpg
Nuke it, Nuke it good!
Profile: Ancient Poster
More Information

Normal should be ok. the TV may make a magnetic pulse(degaussing the screen), but it should not be strong enough to get into the hard drive and cause damage. Those numbers are all in the normals for those drives. No 2 drives are the same, you may have some that are just "better" then others. I have drives with about the same attributes(2 at 90 1 drive at 92 and another at 96[the 92 and 96 are the same drive and have run the same amount of time, but the 96 has done more work.]) inside my computer now.

 

I would not worry unless something starts to drop much lower. I have seen drives with high 90's still be failing anyway. its just an attempted indicator, not aways accurate.

 

My computer sat with a TV on one side and a crt monitor on the other for years without issues(i still have a tv right next to the tower.).

 

EDIT

 

Damn SomeJoe7777 is fast


Message edited by nukemaster on 05-16-2008 at 09:56:33 PM

---------------
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8460/haaahaahaaaap2.gif
http://tinyurl.com/26uxxb - Core2 Temp Guide? http://tinyurl.com/cj3pw - VGA power use?  
http://tinyurl.com/5v55wk - Core2 Memory performance? http://tinyurl.com/6pmbke - SLI/Xfire?
Profile: enthusiast
More Information

Only issue you might have would be little airflow in the enclosed space and the external hard drives can get hot.


Message edited by orangegato r on 05-16-2008 at 09:58:16 PM

---------------
Bux.to | .view .click .make money
Reformulated with 20 percent less ahole !
Profile: old hand
More Information

Harddrives...last I checked were also internally sheilded to prevent them from interfering with sensitive equipptment because they generate much stronger magnetic fields.


---------------
X2 5400 + 780gm-a ATX, 2 gig mushkin, 8800gts 512 , CM 532
 
"Now if the 4870x2 was actually notably faster than the 280 for about the same price, then I might even take a chance on it.  However, that won't be the case."-robx46
The Voodoo 3 is Back
Profile: enthusiast
More Information

If it were an issue, we would have known long ago with DVR boxes having hard drives around tvs.


---------------
Don't Assume, Google it.
Profile: addict
More Information

I think heat is your only enemy here, but with most external harddrives that is the problem. Those babies get damn hot sometimes!!!


---------------
Q6600@3.2g, 4 gigs 2x2 ADATA Pc 6400, XFX 8800 GTS 512 G92, GIGABITE GA-P35-DS3L, ARCTIC COOLING FREEZER PRO 7, Antec 900 case, Antec 500 earthwatt p.s. 27.5" Hannspreee monitor (oh yeah!!)
Nuke it, Nuke it good!
Profile: Ancient Poster
More Information

rockbyter wrote :

If it were an issue, we would have known long ago with DVR boxes having hard drives around tvs.


Good point.


---------------
http://img229.imageshack.us/img229/8460/haaahaahaaaap2.gif
http://tinyurl.com/26uxxb - Core2 Temp Guide? http://tinyurl.com/cj3pw - VGA power use?  
http://tinyurl.com/5v55wk - Core2 Memory performance? http://tinyurl.com/6pmbke - SLI/Xfire?
Profile: addict
More Information

Nope - as Nukemaster stated the largest magnetic pulse come when TV (CRT) is first turned on (degauseing and is AC induced).  The Magnetic field is quite strong up close but strenght is inversely proportional to distance squared.
 
In the case of the platers, they are VERY close to the Heads.  Your stored HDD platters are a Million times farther (estimate - don't really know how many hairs can fit) away from the TV comparred to the Heads plus as pointed out the HDD is inclosed in a Iron (Ferromagnetic) box.

Profile: stranger
More Information

Wow, such an overwhelming response!  I actually use esata and don't operate the hard drives from within the TV shelf.  I just store them there due to lack of space on my desk.  
 
In any case, thank you so much everyone for your contributing!

Profile: old hand
More Information

In One Word
 
YES!!!


Go to:
Add a reply
  Tom's Hardware UK and Ireland Forums » Storage » Hard Disks » Is it safe to store a hard drive in a TV shelf UNDER a 27'' CRT TV?
 

Google ads