Data Storage - Heat an issue for External disk?

Author

Heat an issue for External disk?

jjsmithin

2005-02-10, 5:49 pm

I put a Western Digital 120Gig 7200rpm in a USB external case used in a
home office and I would like to leave it on 24/7 to backup up 4 PCs
over LAN. (If I have to remember to turn it on each day, I wont get
consistent backups)
The case has no fan, but good space around it and vents for convection
air flow. Nothing sits on top of it and feet elevate so air can get
underneath.

Is this going to be a heat issue for the unit that would accellerate a
failure? If I leave it on 24/7 how long should it theoritcally last?

thanks for any insight