Minnesota monthly gathering

**baileyje** · 12-29-2005, 02:25 PM

I have seen some issues lately. I have a brand new setup with a 2.5" notebook drive. I guess the cold problems only exist in newer hard drives that no longer use metal ball bearings. They use some kind of gel that starts to harden a bit when the temp gets too low. I am talking to a guy about the possibility of placing a fast heating component to warm the drive in the fist couple second of the power in order to boot on the first time.

Anyway, has there been any talk lately about meeting up? I would like to meet some of the folks around the Cities to see what your cars look like.

**PatO** · 01-02-2006, 01:14 AM

They're called Fluid Dynamic Bearings (FDB). Some have a problem with cold, some don't. My drive is the latter.

If you're concerned, track down a non-FDB drive (good luck!).

**techy101** · 01-02-2006, 01:18 AM

Mine acts up, but I've got a heated garage so it's not a problem all that often. It's to much of a PITA to move everything onto a new drive. So I live with it.

**arandall850** · 01-03-2006, 12:00 AM

I've got a remote start and where my carputer is mounted it's directly in front of a vent (under the pass seat) so it gets to 70 or so before I even get to the car.

**techy101** · 01-03-2006, 12:17 AM

Yeah, I put my system in with one of the floor vents shooting directly into the case through the DVD opening (DVD is in an external housing). So that way it gets a lot of cooling in the summer, and heat in the winter. Only problem is waiting for things to warm up a bit in the super cold weather.

**neon_eddy** · 01-03-2006, 01:40 AM

i've had my new WD hard drive freeze up twice.. this winter.. and that was back when it was in the single digits.. I'm sure it will happen again ..

so we do not want fluid berings correct?

**TyBong** · 01-03-2006, 01:34 PM

We should start to plan on another meet, i.e. a month in advance due to everyone's diferent calender.

**PatO** · 01-05-2006, 07:54 PM

Some FDB's work, some don't. I bought a drive about a year +couple months ago (with FDB) and it's been working fine through this below zero stuff.
Granted, I have a heated garage, but I do park it outside all day (in the sun...)

All harddrives will die. And at the most inopportune moments. That is guaranteed.
If you're concerned, run to a used comp store and buy an older (non-fdb) drive.

Planning a meet for January? It had better be heated....
And when do we get to see the hearse-puter?

Sweet... I'm at 999! I think I'll let it stay this way for a while. Time to waste my time in OT!

**PatO** · 01-12-2006, 09:24 PM

HDD's still workin. Not much considering that it's been 32+ lately....
And I've eclipsed the 1grand mark. Hurrah.

**nitropwd** · 01-15-2006, 01:08 AM

Minneasota reps:

I have a small soldering job, anyone up for it?.....I have a TM-701L with a short in it. I'm sure someone with the skill can get the job done in about 20 mins.