Search the Community

I read that HDD's lose magnetism over time and they must be re-recorded periodically to preserve the data. On 3.8.2025 I tested a retired Toshiba 500gb HDD that was formatted and filled up about 98% capacity with photos and videos on 2.17.2015. After it was retired, it was put in a ziplock bag and stored in a garage where temperatures ranged from 45F to 85F for the 10-year period. It was not run during that time. When I looked at it, all the data (photos / videos) were fine. I didn't do any drive software tests on it, as I didn't have any to use. I downloaded some drive software awhile back and it took over my computer, so I was happy to get rid of it. I archive audio, photos, videos and text files. Either they work or they don't work...those are the tests I'm using here. I then decided to do a microwave test on the HDD. I had originated this use of microwaving drives by accident. Last year I had ordered a 4TB Samsung SSD and it had problems from the start. But I was hopeful the bugs would work out and tried to use it anyway. I was transferring a 1.8TB file to it and it jammed near the end of the transfer. I was horrified to find out it would not let me delete my data before sending it back for a refund. Hence the microwave came into my head. It was a natural offshoot from using the microwave to treat moldy and mildewed paper, which I do regularly. I can't tell you how long this original microwave test was on the 4TB SSD, but it was just a few seconds. I didn't know what would happen or if it would wreck the microwave, so it was short. When I plugged the SSD into the computer it would not show up. I was happy with the results and gave it a little more microwave radiation after that for good measure. All we hear about nowadays is EMP danger with digital, so that also inspired me to do some microwave tests. Here are the tests for the HDD, SD card and thumb drives tested in a 1000-watt Samsung microwave. Toshiba 500gb HDD 1 second microwave test: Passed (I don't think the microwave does much microwaving in the first second.) 2 second microwave test: Passed 3 second microwave test: Failed - drive made a loud pop and sparks near the cord port. Computer would not recognize the drive. (Drive was microwaved without the cord.) Generic 4GB SD Card 1 second microwave test: Passed (I don't think the microwave does much microwaving in the first second.) 2 second microwave test: Passed 3 second microwave test: Passed / Failed (?) Some sparks. One computer would not recognize about 80% of the files and they only showed up as icons. When I clicked on an icon it would not load and it said the file was corrupted. Another computer played everything fine. 4 second microwave test: Failed - card made lots of sparks, plastic started to melt in spots on both sides of the card and there was a strong burned plastic smell. Both computers would not recognize the drive. Note: This test should be rerun with multiple cards for 3, 4, 5, 6 second tests to pinpoint the failure. I used 1 card and it received a total of 9 seconds of microwaving before it failed. (Not counting the 1 second test.) Generic 8GB Thumb Drives I used 2 thumb drives for this test. Thumb drive #1 1 second microwave test: Passed (I don't think the microwave does much microwaving in the first second.) 2 second microwave test: Failed - drive made an audio sound when inserting into the USB port, but the computer would not recognize it. I tried it on 2 computers. Thumb drive #2 3 second microwave test: Failed. Drive made a loud pop and sparks inside of the USB connector. Both computers would not recognize the drive. The rest of the HDD magnetism tests will be 12-year, 15-year, 18-year, 20-years and 22-years...if I'm still around. <><><><> Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Archival Collection Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Small Gauge Film Archive Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Advertising Archive Daniel D. Teoli Jr. VHS Video Archive Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Popular Culture Archive Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Audio Archive Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Social Documentary Photography

Along with HDD, I've been using Samsung SDD for years. And the rock solid, last ditch, backup effort is an optical disc library composed of M-Disc and archival Blu-ray. The dozen or so SDD's I have used are Samsung .5TB, 1TB and 2TB. Never a problem with any of them. Thought I'd try some 4TB Samsung SDD's. The 4TB Samsung portable T7 broke in the middle of the first transfer of 600GB. Computer won't recognize now, won't light up...nothing. There seems to be lots of issues with Samsung SDD. I also tried 2 internal 4TB Samsung 870 EVO with enclosures for external use. Problems there as well, but still can't say 100% as I'm trying new enclosures. But no doubt with the 4TB portable T7 that is dead. Samsung used to be top shelf, no worries. What the hell happened to them? are samsung 4TB ssd drives having problems - Google Search <><><><> VHS / Laserdisc Archive 1986 DDTJRAC Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Archival Collection Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Small Gauge Film Archive Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Advertising Archive Daniel D. Teoli Jr. VHS Video Archive Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Popular Culture Archive Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Audio Archive Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Social Documentary Photography

I'm testing how long SDD drives hold data without being plugged in. First part of the test is complete. 11 months for a Samsung T7 was OK. Next test is due early 2024. I have enough Samsung drives to go out for a few years of tests. I had heard they lose data if not plugged in periodically. The 'how often' part is up in the air. I've tested SD cards and they hold data pretty good. Also testing thumb drives, going out to 14 years...if I live that long. Here are some SD card tests. SD Card Report…how archival are they? – Daniel D. Teoli Jr. Archival Collection – II (home.blog) Will update thread as SDD drives are tested.

Hello my fellow cinematographers, I hope you can help me with my problem. I need to shot for more than 8 minutes. Do I need a ssd of 320Gigas? What model do I use? Are models not compatible with the redone? Thanks a lot.

Hi, I'm primarily an Editor dabbling in motion graphics. I'm wanting more on-set work and have been offered the opportunity to do some AC and data wrangling on a local short in Leeds. I'll be using a MacBook Pro 15" (late 2011) 2.5GHz Intel Core i7, 16 GB RAM. Shooting RED scarlet and backing up on two G-DRIVE's - Yet to have confrimation whether or not the drives have eSATA. As my mac has one FireWire 800 port and one Thunderbolt, I'll be running into some problems on the way in working out how fast I can transfer data on the budget I have. I've heard and read of the problems of trying to daisy chain two FW800 drives and a RED station, all through one little FW port. I've also read a lot of positive things about the Sonnet Echo Pro Thunderbolt adapter. http://www.sonnettech.com/product/echoexpresscard34thunderbolt.html I'm hoping to get the eSATA extension, but if the G-DRIVE's are not compatible the FW800 will do for now. For £250 I'm wondering if this is the best option I have for transferring data as quickly as possible, while linking two G-DRIVE's through one eSATA and using the second eSATA for the RED station? Thank you. Luke Wheldon.