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cricket331
September 3rd, 2007, 05:43 PM
I see many of you use external HD's so I felt I could get a good answer here.


I bought a 250gb I/O Magic external HD. I also have a Seagate 250gb.HD. My seagate hd doesn't get really hot but stays a little warm when I'm accessing files on it alot. The I/O has a power switch on the back. When I leave the I/O Magic on and use it along with my computer(like i do with the seagate) through the usb port, I notice that when I feel it, it is hot. I don't think hot enough to hurt it, but not sure. It didn't come with any documentation. I got it on sale at Officemax. I got online with tech support and he said I can turn it off with the switch on the back. Not sure if I should take it back since it is half full now. I got it two weeks ago. It was a cheapie on sale so that is why i'm wondering if this is "normal" for these. My seagate does not have a power switch.

I hope I explained this correctly. It made sense to me, but thats not saying much:D
baycruisers
September 3rd, 2007, 06:27 PM
Portable drives pack a lot of electronics into a very small space, hence the heat. I'd make sure there's good airflow around it. Just a guess here, but I suspect that if it was getting too hot you might start seeing errors when you try to save/access the drive. If that's not happening I wouldn't lose a lot of sleep. If you can shut it off when it's not in use, I'd do that to be on the safe side.

I have a 160GB WD portable drive that gets warm to the touch when it's in use. So far it's run flawlessly.
Cmcburnett
September 3rd, 2007, 07:17 PM
I have the Western Digital EHD also and it gets warm but not hot. Mine sets on a stand and the bigest portion is open on both sides so it gets lots of air. I agree w/Mario, I would shut it off when not in use. Good luck w/it.
baderms
September 3rd, 2007, 08:14 PM
I have 5 external drives and the best one I've found so far is the do it yourself model. You can buy a very well made case with a large quite fan from Apircorn and add your own hard drive. I've never had trouble with the two I have and one is on all the time and is never even warm.
cricket331
September 4th, 2007, 05:52 AM
I have 5 external drives and the best one I've found so far is the do it yourself model. You can buy a very well made case with a large quite fan from Apircorn and add your own hard drive. I've never had trouble with the two I have and one is on all the time and is never even warm.

Making your own is an awesome idea. See thats why I asked, you guys rock. I am not going to fret and just turn it off. After reading some of the posts about loosing stuff I have been dilligent about backing up and coping stuff on DVD's.

Thanks for the great advice:D
NickLewis
September 4th, 2007, 06:46 AM
Seagate drives in general do have a bit of a reputation for running cool. So it may be that it's not so much that your other drive is dangerously hot as that you're comparing it with a drive that's cooler than average.

Just a thought.

Nick