Do hard drives slow down over time?...

[startup]

On several computers I've owned through the years I've gotten the feeling, though not actually tested it, that hard drives slow down over a period of time (like 2-3 years). The speed decrease is not due to OS garbage as I've reformatted and reinstalled the systems, it just feels like things load and run a lot slower than when they were new.

I don't know if this is due to faster systems which come out or to actual deterioration of the drives themselves. Does anyone else have this experience? What causes it if it exists?

--Startup

 

[edfair]

I've run across drives that have slowed down but generally diagnostics show multiple reads to get data, which is a precursor to them failing.
But in general, no, the machines I work on have not shown any indications like that.

Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[gargouille]

Avail yourself of some diagnostic/benchmark software
...free stuff abounds...the mfr. usually has some, too.
Then you'll have some numbers to wonder about LOL
(you remind me of me)

 

[wolluf]

gargouille,

I thought Ed was the old git expert on these forums! - feeling your obviously not advanced years!

Sorry Ed - mark of respect! (you're evem older than me - thank goodness someone is!)

 

[gargouille]

I'd bet I'm as old as you...in dog years I'm dead.
But I'm in denial.
By the way, what's a git expert?
(maybe I'm younger than I thought)
By the way, since I'm a lotta' times off-topic anyway, there are 2 choices:
1. dead
&
2. old

I'll take 2 right now.

 

[wolluf]

old git is a fairly affectionate term here in UK (git is a pregnant camel, but that's incidental) for those of use getting on a bit! (I'm only 51 by the way)

 

[gargouille]

I can always use a good laugh...one of the keys to being a very grateful (to be alive) 58 year old!

 

[edfair]

There are a couple older than me, but not many. They say its a young person's industry, but I've managed to hang on. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[wolluf]

You've both put a spring in my step!

 

[edfair]

You ought to have one. I just calculated that I started working on stuff about the time you transitioned from diapers to knickers. Ed Fair
unixstuff@juno.com
Any advice I give is my best judgement based on my interpretation of the facts you supply. Help increase my knowledge by providing some feedback, good or bad, on any advice I have given.

 

[gargouille]

Hell, I've got a spring in my step...but I also have a crick in my neck.
G'nite folks.

 

[wolluf]

its nappies and pants over here!