HDDs Overheating

[embj]

Hi all, I am having problems with the overheating of my HDDs. It causes my CPU usage to get really high sometimes whenever they get hot or it will cause it to lock up. Then after it locks up or when Windows gets really slow I can't get to to boot up again. It will have trouble starting services and getting past the Windows login screen. Sometimes they get so hot that the computer will not even turn on; it will just sit there with the siren coming from the system speaker.

I need to find someway to keep them cool but, I don't want to spend a lot of money and I don't have much space for a cooler.

I have a Maxtor 300gb, Maxtor 160gb, Maxtor 80gb, and a Maxtor 40gb. So you can imagine how hot they all get when they are so close (see attached picture). Is there anyway to keep these cool?

Thanks!

[imac9556]

Hi,
Maybe try to buy 4 of these for each hard drive:
http://www.compusa.com/products/prod...878&pfp=SEARCH
Purchase it in a compusa retail location, so you have the option to return it easier. (like if it does not fit or too noisy... )

[imac9556]

<i'm srry, double post, clicked too many times on submit because my internet didn't respond> lol

[imac9556]

<i'm srry, double post, clicked too many times on submit because my internet didn't respond> lol

[imac9556]

<i'm srry, double post, clicked too many times on submit because my internet didn't respond> lol
*computer

[TOAD6147]

And how do you know for sure it's the HDD's heating up that is causing your problems?

[eagle1]

Have you tried leaving the case open and putting a fan spitting air to them to really see if it is a temp problem?
And, if I may ask, why the heck do you need all of those, I'm using a 4giger right now!

[embj]

lol....imacman9556; it looks to me like it was a quadruple post. I know for a fact that it is the hard drives. If you put your hand on any of them you can feel that they are really hot. If I turn off the computer for approximately 15 minutes and have my fan and window a/c blowing full blast and turn it back on it will boot. I know it's not the CPU because it is running at 40 C idle when the fan is at 2,000 RPM.

I really don't think those standard hard drive coolers like what imac9556 shows will even fit because there isn't much space between them.

Windows for me won't even fit on 4gb....my Windows folder alone is 3.5gb. I'm a pack rat, too. I collect old software for an archive....I have like all the versions of AIM, Yahoo, MSN IM, DeadAIM, CloneCD, IE, Netscape, and etc. I see something that I like or could be part of a collection, I get it. I make periodic backups of one hard drive to another so I don't lose anything. I also have to make backups for my server. I run Windows SBS 2003 and I don't want to lose anything important in case of a server crash.

[cysus]

the hd coolers are too big to fix between those hds unless he can move them apart more, he need fans in the front or a box fan next to his case.

[eagle1]

Frankly, I suggest you get a bigger box then.
You definitely need to improve the airflow in there.
About collecting software ... why don't you sell some drives and invest in a DVD rewritable .. lol

But really, have you thought on getting a bigger case?