External hard drive placement: horizontal or vertical?

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Posted:
in Current Mac Hardware edited January 2014
I've got seven external hard drives, ranging from portables to full-size, 120gb to 1TB.



Some came with stands (for vertical placement), others did not. some are advertised as vertically standing units (such as the WD MyBook), and some aren't.



So what's the best position? Vertical or horizontal? The obvious answer might be to simply follow guidelines and place vertically the ones that come with stands and horizontally the ones that have feet on one side or which don't have stands. But I'd like to make sure, anyway.



For example, my Lacie 500gb has feet on one side. I placed it vertically and it was good for 4 months or so. Then it began to make intermittent (and loud) clicking noises. I placed it horizontally and all is well now. Been fine ever since.



Any ideas? Does vertical/horizontal even really matter?

Comments

  • Reply 1 of 12
    It doesn't matter in the slightest. Really, as long as the drive isn't moved around during operation, and position is fine.
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  • Reply 2 of 12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by mrochester View Post


    It doesn't matter in the slightest. Really, as long as the drive isn't moved around during operation, and position is fine.



    Thanks. Puts my mind at ease.
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  • Reply 3 of 12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Quadra 610 View Post


    I've got seven external hard drives, ranging from portables to full-size, 120gb to 1TB.



    Some came with stands (for vertical placement), others did not. some are advertised as vertically standing units (such as the WD MyBook), and some aren't.



    So what's the best position? Vertical or horizontal? The obvious answer might be to simply follow guidelines and place vertically the ones that come with stands and horizontally the ones that have feet on one side or which don't have stands. But I'd like to make sure, anyway.



    For example, my Lacie 500gb has feet on one side. I placed it vertically and it was good for 4 months or so. Then it began to make intermittent (and loud) clicking noises. I placed it horizontally and all is well now. Been fine ever since.



    Any ideas? Does vertical/horizontal even really matter?







    I keep my two WD 2TB Studio II vertical.
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  • Reply 4 of 12
    According to my copy of the Kama Sutra...
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  • Reply 5 of 12
    quadra 610quadra 610 Posts: 6,759member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss View Post


    According to my copy of the Kama Sutra...



    Hehe . . .
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  • Reply 6 of 12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Quadra 610 View Post


    Hehe . . .



    Somebody got it, thank you. My faith in mankind is restored. Not really but thanks anyway.
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  • Reply 7 of 12
    quadra 610quadra 610 Posts: 6,759member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss View Post


    Somebody got it, thank you. My faith in mankind is restored. Not really but thanks anyway.



    Well I assume it's common knowledge (clever as it was) and no one really thought it important to respond.



    I hope . . .
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  • Reply 8 of 12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Quadra 610 View Post


    Well I assume it's common knowledge (clever as it was) and no one really thought it important to respond.



    The story of my life. \
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  • Reply 9 of 12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss View Post


    The story of my life. \



    What that gotta do with keeping your external hard drive in a erect position?
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  • Reply 10 of 12
    quadra 610quadra 610 Posts: 6,759member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Dr Millmoss View Post


    The story of my life. \



    Aww, you know what I meant. Just one of those things . . .
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  • Reply 11 of 12
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by LE Studios View Post


    What that gotta do with keeping your external hard drive in a erect position?



    If I knew, do you think I'd tell you?



    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Quadra 610 View Post


    Aww, you know what I meant. Just one of those things . . .



    (snif snif)
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  • Reply 12 of 12
    Ok? \
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