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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Help with HDD (lemmy.ml)

submitted 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) by gary_host_laptop@lemmy.ml to c/linux@lemmy.ml

27 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I have a 4TB HDD that I use to store music, films, images, and text files. I have a 250GB SDD that I use to install my OS and video games. So far I didn't have any problem with this setup, obviously it's a bit slower when it reads the HDD but nothing too serious, but lately it's gotten way worse, where it just lags too much when I try to access files on that disk, and specially when it comes to listening to music, it's super annoying. I'm using Elisa music player and it just takes ages to load the albums.

Below is my system and HDD information. I think I'm supposed to use hardlinks or something to access those files, could that be a reason? I've never even fully filled my HDD and it's only 3 years old.

System Details Report

Report details

Hardware Information:

Hardware Model: ASUSTeK COMPUTER INC. PRIME A320M-K
Memory: 16.0 GiB
Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 5 5600G with Radeon™ Graphics × 12
Graphics: AMD Radeon™ Graphics
Disk Capacity: 4.2 TB

Software Information:

Firmware Version: 6042
OS Name: Fedora Linux 39 (Workstation Edition)
OS Build: (null)
OS Type: 64-bit
GNOME Version: 45.5
Windowing System: Wayland
Kernel Version: Linux 6.7.11-200.fc39.x86_64

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[–] atzanteol@sh.itjust.works 5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (1 children)

Those are signs that the drive is failing - not a "normal wear and tear".

The spindle must spin at a constant angular velocity for the drive to operate. It can't slow down and work since the heads expect the bits to be on the platters in certain locations and to come at a fixed rate. It doesn't slow down over time. HDD motors are extremely precise with feedback to ensure the rate is correct. It's not a simple DC motor.

Same with the heads - they don't touch the platters so I'm not sure why they would be "wearing down." But if they are that's a sign of failing not just "normal wear and tear". In fact if it does touch a platter that's catastrophic...

HDDs are made with excellent precision. I have a drive with a powered-on time of over 8 years and it performs as it did when I bought it. Just because there are moving parts doesn't mean they're bad. We've been making them for many years and have gotten very good at it.

And fragmentation is almost certainly not an issue with ext4.

[–] TimeSquirrel@kbin.social 2 points 7 months ago

We’ve been making them for many years and have gotten very good at it.

This can't be overstated enough. Modern mechanical hard drives are a hundred times more impressive than Swiss watches.