Question Doubts about storing/stacking HDDs ?

[cloudff7ps1]

If I place the 2.5" 7mm Seagate ST500LM030 HDD on top of another 2.5" 7mm Seagate ST500LM030 HDD, will the weight of the top HDD deform the metal of the HDD underneath, damaging the magnetic disks?

 

[USAFRet]

If I place the 2.5" 7mm Seagate ST500LM030 HDD on top of another 2.5" 7mm Seagate ST500LM030 HDD, will the weight of the top HDD deform the metal of the HDD underneath, damaging the magnetic disks?

Do you mean just laying it on top?

A spinning HDD needs to be bolted in to the case.
Otherwise, the vibration from the spinning will have effects.

But the weight of one won't "deform" the other.

But they both need to be bolted in.

 

[cloudff7ps1]

in storage mode not in use

 

[USAFRet]

in storage mode not in use

Just sitting on a shelf or in a box?

Zero problems as far as the weight of one influencing the other.

But, let them sit on the shelf for too long, you may see other issues.
We've discussed this before.

 

[cloudff7ps1]

in the horizontal position it is inside a plastic usb 3.0 enclosure case from Orico or Kesu

 

[USAFRet]

in the horizontal position it is inside a plastic usb 3.0 enclosure case from Orico or Kesu

It.
Is.
Fine.

 

[cloudff7ps1]

What precautions should be taken to maximize the lifespan of HDDs and the files inside them? Do they lose their magnetism?

for HDDs with unused files stored

 

[USAFRet]

What precautions should be taken to maximize the lifespan of HDDs and the files inside them? Do they lose their magnetism?

for HDDs with unused files stored

Have multiple copies.
Check them routinely.
Replace as needed.

This is not new information.

 

[cloudff7ps1]

I have 4 drives
What type of check should I perform once a year? Is it possible without having to copy the files to the PC and without making a new copy to these HDDs?

 

[Phillip Corcoran]

I've had two Western Digital external HDDs perched one atop the other for at least 10 years.
I use them regularly for multiple backups and never had any data loss or any other problems with them.

Of course, they will fail one day, but nothing to do with the way they are stacked.
When one of them fails I replace it as soon as possible.

 

[Viking2121]

No it wont hurt it no, not ideal, you could have a bunch of 2.5inch drives stacked even 3.5inch drives, as long as they don't fall or get bumped to aggressively, should be fine.

I got a room dedicated to computer junk, and I got piles of HDD's that are in known working condition, and I got them all stacked on top of each other on a shelve, never had an issue with it.