Hi "Lil' Dave",

HDDs have many vulnerabilities, therefore I would not trust them for
keeping important files or OS backup. The heads are only microns from the
surface of the spinning platters. A sudden jolt could cause the head to
bounce off the platter surface, or if "writing", overwrite data on an adjacent
track/s. The platters spin at high speed on a shaft with bearings. A motor
spins the platters. There is a printed circuit board with many semiconductor
devices mounted on it (part of the HDD assembly), some of these devices are
MOS devices. A power line surge can possibly damage one or more of these
devices. What is the long term retention of magnetism (chain of microscopic
magnetic dots representing data) on the platters?

If a CD/DVD rom drive goes bad, you simply replace it since your import
files, etc. are on CDs (removable media). On the other hand, a HDD does not
have removable media.
Brad

On Tue, 8 Jun 2004 17:25:13 -0400, "Lil' Dave" wrote:

Am seeing many assumptions on your part.
One being is that many people replace hard drives on regular basis due to
some reason being forced to do so. Not true.
Another assumption is that a system not used for A/V, or similar large file
size data does not require a HD larger than 20GB.
Just off the wall, an XP OS with NTFS partition plus a standard 98SE OS with
a few apps installed on each will easily eat that space including their
corresponding swap files. Any smart person doing regular image backups of
their 98/98SEOS partition can eat that space in a few weeks with just a
98/98SE OS and a few apps installed. Many purchase software online and save
the software file(s) on their HD, eating space each purchase. And more
space with free updated software.
A couple of my HDs have files in excess of 5 years old. You FAILED to
define reliable long term storage, and what media and supporting hardware
are you are suggesting as a recourse.

Bear in mind SOP (standard operating procedure) is to backup data to DVD,
CD, and/or tape on my system in event of HD failure. As media hardware
support changes with a new or different OS, so must the media and its
hardware on that OS or recovery software. What recourse is there if a new
OS installed does not support the backup data file format structure, the
hardware supporting the media, or the media format itself?
Getting better are bios translation for HDs between different PCs. Not
universal yet, but its headed that way.
Probably just wasted my time as you probably won't respond except with
drivel and desperation by weak, unsustantiated or pointless counterpoint.
Otherwise known as trolling.


"Brad" wrote in message

Hi,

The largest HDD I have is 10G, with over 6G free space. I already
had
to replace a couple HDDs. Anything I want to save, has been "burned" on
CD
Roms. If your computer is not used for collecting videos or music, or
used
as a server, why in the world would anyone want a 20G or larger HDD?
You can't depend on HDD's for reliable safe long term storage.

Thanks in advance, Brad

Before you type your password, credit card number, etc.,
be sure there is no active key logger (spyware) in your PC.