Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!ucla-cs!ucla-se!edison!pisor
From: pisor@edison.seas.ucla.edu (Robert D. Pisor)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: Setting a PC on its Side
Message-ID: <2548@lee.SEAS.UCLA.EDU>
Date: 25 Apr 91 05:50:19 GMT
References: <47696@ut-emx.uucp> <1991Apr24.033540.19229@agate.berkeley.edu>
Sender: news@SEAS.UCLA.EDU
Organization: SEASnet, University of California, Los Angeles
Lines: 31

In article <1991Apr24.033540.19229@agate.berkeley.edu> c60b-1eq@e260-1g.berkeley.edu (Noam Mendelson) writes:
>In article <47696@ut-emx.uucp> dana@ccwf.cc.utexas.edu (Daniel Schneider) writes:
>
>>2)  Proper Functioning of Hard Disk and Floppy Disk Drives
>
>You can put your computer upside-down and the hard disk should still
>function perfectly (assuming it did before, that is).
>Floppy drives are much less sensitive to shock than hard drives.  You
>should not worry about them.
>
>>I am concerned about long-term reliability.
>
>Your computer hardware basically doesn't really care how it's rotated in
>space.  It does care if it's being kicked, though, so if you opt to mount
>it vertically on the floor be sure it's safe from abuse.

Actually, the orientation of the hard drive is important. According to my 
Seagate manual, it is OK to have the drive mounted horizontally on either
side, or with the circuit board down.  Mounting the drive vertically on 
either end or with the PCB facing up, are 'prohibited' orientations and 
operating the drive in these positions will void the warranty.

Some computer manufacturers place the hard drives on their sides in the case
to save space. I recommend checking the orientation of your drive before 
turning the computer on its side.

-Robert Pisor
pisor@seas.ucla.edu