Extreme cold will damage LCDs--I live in NH, and lost an IXO handheld
terminal that way. At my previous home, my storage was similar to what you
describe. Also, the heat of an attic will warp some plastics, and I suspect
that it accelerates the yellowing process. I didn't have a problem with
circuit boards, however. Hot and cold extremes will not be kind to software
or to some types of paper. Temperatures aren't the only thing you have to
worry about with the type of storage you describe. Vermin (insects, spiders,
mice, bats) will also be a problem. I kept my stuff covered with old
blankets and tarps to cut down on damage from dust and droppings. The
coverings will also help with certain weather conditions common to New
England. In springtime when the humidity is high and the temperature rises,
moisture will form on metal and plastic surfaces.
--Mike
Michael Nadeau
Editorial Services
603-893-2379
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rich Beaudry" <r_beaudry(a)hotmail.com>
To: <classiccmp(a)classiccmp.org>
Sent: Thursday, October 04, 2001 10:06 AM
Subject: Cold/Hot storage of computers -- OK?
Hello all,
Since I am rapidly exhausting all space in my basement workshop, I need to
move some of my computers to the loft above our garage. The problem is,
the
garage is completely UNinsulated, and has only a metal
roof (i.e., thin,
and
NO resistance to temperature -- hot or cold).
My concern is that the cold of winter or the heat of summer might get to
them. I live in Massachusetts, so winter is not -40 degrees F, but we
are
talking below freezing, and possibly below zero for
short stretches. In
the
summer, it must easily hit 100 degrees F in the loft,
due to the hot metal
roof, and the trapped air (no windows!).
I'm not so worried about the circuit boards, but I am worried about floppy
drives, hard drives, and CRTs. Does anyone know if such temperatures will
kill these things? Obviously I would let the computer acclimate for about
24 hours after I move it back into my house, to avoid sudden temperature
swings, or condensation. I'm more worried about the storage affecting
them....
Thanks!
Rich B.