A plasticizer called B2E, used in dampeners within vintage hard drives, is degrading and turning into a gooey substance. This "goo" can contaminate the platters and heads of the drive, rendering it unusable. While impacting mostly older Seagate SCSI drives from the late 90s and early 2000s, other manufacturers like Maxtor and Quantum also used similar dampeners, though failure rates seem lower. The degradation appears unavoidable due to B2E's chemical instability, posing a preservation risk for data stored on these drives.
A disconcerting phenomenon is impacting the long-term viability of vintage computer hard disk drives, specifically those manufactured in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The culprit is a gradual degradation of a critical component within these drives: the vibration-dampening gaskets, typically composed of a rubber-like material. Over time, this material undergoes a chemical transformation, transitioning from a firm, resilient elastomer to a viscous, semi-liquid goo. This unwelcome metamorphosis has several detrimental consequences for the functionality of the hard drives.
The primary issue arises from the gooey substance's propensity to migrate from its original position. Intended to isolate and stabilize the drive's delicate internal components, the degraded gasket instead oozes and spreads, potentially interfering with the read/write heads and the platters on which data is stored. This physical obstruction can prevent the heads from accessing the magnetic platters, effectively rendering the stored data irretrievable. Even if the heads remain functional, the sticky residue can impede their precise movements, leading to read/write errors and data corruption. In essence, the degraded gasket transforms from a protective element into a destructive contaminant.
Furthermore, the chemical changes within the gasket material may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). While the precise nature and concentration of these VOCs are not definitively established, their presence raises concerns about potential further damage to the drive's internal components. These gaseous byproducts could react with the delicate metallic surfaces within the drive, accelerating corrosion and exacerbating the overall deterioration.
The root cause of this degradation is posited to be the gradual breakdown of the plasticizers within the rubber compound. These plasticizers, added to enhance the material's flexibility and durability, appear to be susceptible to decomposition over time, possibly due to environmental factors such as temperature and humidity. The consequence is the observed softening and liquefaction of the gasket material.
This issue poses a significant challenge to individuals and institutions seeking to preserve digital data stored on older hard drives. The insidious nature of the degradation means that drives that appear outwardly functional may be harboring this hidden defect, putting valuable data at risk. Mitigation strategies, such as carefully disassembling affected drives and cleaning the contaminated components, are complex and time-consuming, and success is not guaranteed. This phenomenon underscores the importance of regular data backups and the inherent challenges of long-term digital preservation.
Summary of Comments ( 10 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43235763
Several Hacker News commenters corroborate the article's claims about degrading dampers in older hard drives, sharing personal experiences of encountering the issue and its resulting drive failures. Some discuss the chemical composition of the deteriorating material, suggesting it's likely a silicone-based polymer. Others offer potential solutions, like replacing the affected dampers, or using freezing temperatures to temporarily harden the material and allow data recovery. A few commenters note the planned obsolescence aspect, with manufacturers potentially using materials with known degradation timelines. There's also debate on the effectiveness of storing drives vertically versus horizontally, and the role of temperature and humidity in accelerating the decay. Finally, some users express frustration with the lack of readily available replacement dampers and the difficulty of the repair process.
The Hacker News post "Gooey rubber that's slowly ruining old hard drives" has generated a number of comments discussing the article's topic of degrading flexible circuits within older hard drives. Several commenters corroborate the author's experience, sharing their own encounters with sticky residue and failing drives.
One commenter mentions encountering the issue with old Seagate drives specifically, while another points out that Western Digital drives from the same era appear to be less susceptible. This leads to a brief discussion about potential manufacturing differences and the specific materials used by each company.
Another thread focuses on the chemical composition of the deteriorating material, with speculation about the plasticizers used and the potential for outgassing of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). One user, identifying as a chemist, suggests the material is likely a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and offers further insights into its potential degradation pathways. They also mention the possibility of cleaning the residue with isopropyl alcohol, although another commenter cautions against this due to the potential for damage to other components.
Several users express concern about the long-term archival implications of this issue, lamenting the potential loss of data stored on older drives. This prompts discussion about the importance of regular backups and the challenges of preserving digital information over extended periods.
A few comments delve into the potential causes of the degradation, with theories ranging from temperature fluctuations to the presence of ozone. One user suggests that the issue might be exacerbated by improper storage conditions, highlighting the importance of keeping drives in a cool, dry environment.
Finally, some commenters offer practical advice for dealing with affected drives, including suggestions for cleaning the sticky residue and recovering data. One commenter even links to a relevant data recovery forum, providing a resource for those experiencing this issue.
Overall, the comments on the Hacker News post provide valuable anecdotal evidence, technical insights, and practical advice related to the issue of degrading flexible circuits in older hard drives. They highlight the challenges of long-term data preservation and underscore the importance of understanding the potential failure modes of storage media.