Does use Calibre on External Drive like HDD make it fail much sooner ?

johnho91 · 06-06-2022, 08:00 AM

I use Calibre on HDD external Drive, I install Calibre on my laptop and save books data on HDD external drive, does this action cause much damage on my drive ? I usually use calibre this way

ownedbycats · 06-06-2022, 09:58 AM

If it's a mechanical drive, probably not.

SSDs and other flash-memory drives do wear down with usage but modern ones have a lifespan of decades.

EDIT: It's a different story if the drive is already failing, especially if it's making weird noises. If that's the case you don't want to use it more than is necessary to copy the files off.

hobnail · 06-06-2022, 02:36 PM

On a side note, CrystalDiskInfo can tell you if your drive is having problems.

theducks · 06-06-2022, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnho91

I use Calibre on HDD external Drive, I install Calibre on my laptop and save books data on HDD external drive, does this action cause much damage on my drive ? I usually use calibre this way

As long as you protect the external drive from drops or other hazards, there should be no difference. DO NOT cover the drive enclosure. That is how it cools.

theducks · 06-06-2022, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hobnail

On a side note, CrystalDiskInfo can tell you if your drive is having problems.

Any tool that can read out the S.M.A.R.T. status of the drive, will tell you about its PHYSICAL health. (Windows tools, check the file integrity)
Most Linux Live CD can read SMART

PeterT · 06-06-2022, 07:58 PM

I'm not sure if all external drives support SMART access

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

ownedbycats · 06-06-2022, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeterT

I'm not sure if all external drives support SMART access

Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

A lot of programs have trouble fetching S.M.A.R.T. info over a USB connection; CrystalDiskInfo is one of them from my experience. I've heard smartmontools works but I haven't used it myself.

EDIT: I believe the manufacturer-provided software (WD Data Lifeguard or SeaTools for Western Digital and Seagate, respectively) should also work.

Joliet Jake · 06-08-2022, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnho91

I use Calibre on HDD external Drive, I install Calibre on my laptop and save books data on HDD external drive, does this action cause much damage on my drive ? I usually use calibre this way

I don't think this causes damage, but you need to back up your library. I use an external hard drive for the library and a second one for the backup.

JSWolf · 06-08-2022, 06:28 PM

A Calibre library on an external HD will do no more damage then a Calibre library on an internal HD. A Calibre library does not cause damage.

06-06-2022, 08:00 AM	#1
johnho91 Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2022 Device: LAPTOP	Does use Calibre on External Drive like HDD make it fail much sooner ? I use Calibre on HDD external Drive, I install Calibre on my laptop and save books data on HDD external drive, does this action cause much damage on my drive ? I usually use calibre this way

06-06-2022, 09:58 AM	#2
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 10,975 Karma: 75337983 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	If it's a mechanical drive, probably not. SSDs and other flash-memory drives do wear down with usage but modern ones have a lifespan of decades. EDIT: It's a different story if the drive is already failing, especially if it's making weird noises. If that's the case you don't want to use it more than is necessary to copy the files off. Last edited by ownedbycats; 06-06-2022 at 10:55 AM.

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06-06-2022, 02:36 PM	#3
hobnail Running with scissors Posts: 1,587 Karma: 14328510 Join Date: Nov 2019 Device: none	On a side note, CrystalDiskInfo can tell you if your drive is having problems.

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PeterT Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,528 Karma: 78910202 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Toronto Device: Libra H2O, Libra Colour	I'm not sure if all external drives support SMART access Sent from my Pixel 4a using Tapatalk

06-08-2022, 06:28 PM	#9
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 79,758 Karma: 145864619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	A Calibre library on an external HD will do no more damage then a Calibre library on an internal HD. A Calibre library does not cause damage.

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