Hard drives and gravity

is it ok to store desktops sideways?

[john316]

Hello!

I was wondering if a hard drive has to be running horizontal, I have a decent desktop that I don't want on the desk and was wondering if the hard drive would be put under excess wear by flipping the thing sideways, and leaving it on the floor.

Thanks

<edit> Actually I want to run it, not store it.

[amoore]

I've had a couple of IDE drives running on their sides for a few years now. I haven't had any trouble.

Notice, that's not proof, just one example.

[mivox]

I've seen rack-mount adapters for g4 desktops... they bolt onto the corner handles, and allow you to install the whole thing -- sideways -- into a standard server rack.

I'd assume if there was a major hardware issue with it, they might have been sued out of business by now.

Once again though, it's not proof, just an example. ;)

[bird]

All orthogonal orientations should normally be fine, unless the specs say otherwise.

The thing that kills any HD in no time is an only slightly tilted orientation. This causes uneven load on the bearings, which results in irregular wear, and eventual mechanical failure.