21 Mar
2011
21 Mar
'11
8:33 a.m.
>
> So, I suppose it's safe to run the drive for a while *without* this =
> filter, but is there anything to use as a
> short-term substitute?
The prefilter is used filter the air primarily for the heat
exchanger. That air also circulates around some of the drive
electronics and mechanicals, but not the platter or heads.
Therefore, if you have a relatively clean area, you should be able to
run the drive for an extended period of time without the prefilter
entirely.
On my own drives I've cut a suitably sized piece of filter material
from a foam A/C filter to replace the original
prefilter. It's been
working well for a few years.
Unless your computer room is very dusty, it shoudl be
safe to run the
drive without it. But having the pre-filter in place will prolong the
life of the absolute fitler.
I'm not sure I understand this. The absolute filter is used to
filter the air in the platter compartment (with the platter and
heads); this is a sealed area once the cover is closed. The
prefilter is not in the air path of the absolute filter, so how would
it extend the life of the absolute filter?
A practice I make is to allow the air to circulate for several
minutes after mounting a new pack in the drive (with the cover
closed), before spinning up the drive and loading the heads. The
intent is to let the air circulate through the absolute filter and
pick up any crud I might have allowed in, before the heads load.
John