What is that little hole in those HDD drives?

[Askeladd]

I got a SATA 3.0 hard drive and noticed a small sticker stating to not cover the hole next to it. What would happen if I covered the hole on it? Will it delete or corrupt data on the drive? If so, are there any methods or ideas to preserve or maintain the drive in some container without breaking it?

[TehSpoopyKitteh]

It allows for equalization of air pressure between the inside and outside of the drive. While it is not a complete pass-through of outside air into the HDD internals, there is a filter inside the hole that allows the air pressure to equalize.

If the drive were completely sealed, operating at altitudes significantly different from those the drive was manufactured and sealed at, it would cause problems and increase the likelihood of catastrophic failures.

This system works in much the same way as the Eustachian tubes that allow our ears internal pressures to equalize, preventing the explosion of our ear drums.

[tacoshy]

It's a small air gap. The drive as a moving part will heat up and air expands. This small hole is a valve to allow expanding air to get out of the drive not to damage the drive.

You find it in most PC parts even on CPU's. The the IHS is not fully glued to the PCB but has a little gap one one side. You'll see that when Removing an IHS while delidding.

[Omega]

Publicado originalmente por 🎃The Spoopy Kitteh🎃:

It allows for equalization of air pressure between the inside and outside of the drive. While it is not a complete pass-through of outside air into the HDD internals, there is a filter inside the hole that allows the air pressure to equalize.

If the drive were completely sealed, operating at altitudes significantly different from those the drive was manufactured and sealed at, it would cause problems and increase the likelihood of catastrophic failures.

This system works in much the same way as the Eustachian tubes that allow our ears internal pressures to equalize, preventing the explosion of our ear drums.

Source of this quote containing slightly more information, pictures and a insightful link to Wikipedia:
https://www.howtogeek.com/127433/what-is-the-purpose-of-the-do-not-cover-this-hole-hole-on-hard-drives/

[OLDMAN🎅]

Did you mean: What is that little hole in those HARD drives?
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Hole on Hard Drives? - HowToGeek
https://www.howtogeek.com/.../what-is-the-purpose-of-the-do-not-cover-this-hole-hol...

Oct 26, 2012 - Hard disk drives require a certain range of air pressures in order to operate properly. The connection to the external environment and pressure occurs through a small hole in the enclosure (about 0.5 mm in breadth), usually with a filter on the inside (the breather filter).

https://www.google.com/search?q=What+is+that+little+hole+in+those+HDD+drives%3F&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1



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