Safe to leave pc running on its side?

Harbz · 14 Feb 2006 at 17:50

Hello,

I'm thinking of putting my file server pc on its side in a wardrobe (so the tower looks like a desktop) I'm worried about the hard drives being run 24/7 on their side, would this damage them?

Thanks,
Harb.

Energize · 14 Feb 2006 at 17:55

No it wont, ps2s were designed in the same way, they stand upright and the hard drive is on its side ive used my ps2 with a hdd for years and it hasnt damaged it. The mass of a hdd is too small for gravity to have an effect on its performance.

Lakeland · 14 Feb 2006 at 18:18

what about heat though? the circulation isnt going to be as good because it isnt designed for it. would that be an issue?

Borden · 14 Feb 2006 at 18:23

Some cases are designed to mount the hard drives on their side so i don't think it will be a problem.

FergCu · 14 Feb 2006 at 18:24

In the end, they dont design cases to that level of thermodynamic circulation. When youre talking about the circulation being affected by being on its side, youll be referring to thermodynamics in an enclosed space. The fans will have more effect than the natural movement of hot air, so as long as the fans still work, you wont notice any heat difference.

Energize · 14 Feb 2006 at 18:25

Circulation wont be any different at all, having it in the wardrobe might cause a heating problem though.

yer_averagejoe · 14 Feb 2006 at 18:40

you should probably format the hard drives in the position theyre going to be in. changing their orientation half way through use might have undesired affects on them. gravity will affect them, no matter how small and there is always a risk.

Ruhbarb · 14 Feb 2006 at 18:46

I run my computer on its side no problem, I have the side case door off and apart from dust build up which needs cleaning weekly it runs a lot cooler.

The noise from the fans is overloud but I wear headphones most of the time anyway.

Hard drives have a vacume inside and are designed to run perpendicular if requred.

Harbz · 14 Feb 2006 at 19:19

thanks for the replys. the pc is a dell dimension 1100. looks like having it on its side shouldnt be a problem then. thanks guys.

yer_averagejoe, i thought that extra gravity pull might be on the heads, but should i need to reformat it in its new position?

Dureth · 14 Feb 2006 at 19:24

Don't worry about formatting in the new position, load of rubbish. Just sling it in there, the drives wont care what orientation they are in. The spindles and heads are so well balanced and secured that it doesn't matter which way up they are. The only problem you may have is with it being in a cupboard and overheating. I don't think you will have this problem, just keep an eye open.

Harbz · 14 Feb 2006 at 19:27

cool, thanks. its going on its side first thing after work tomorrow!