Editing Apple Hard Disk 20 Maintenance (section)

== Storage and returning to service ==
Store the unit somewhere dry and stable, out of direct sunlight, and inspect before applying power after a long period: look for corrosion, rodent damage and anything that has grown in the case.

'''No manufacturer figures exist for HD20 storage conditions, and Apple published no maintenance schedule for it.''' Specific temperature and humidity bands, and advice to spin the drive up periodically "to redistribute the lubricant", are not Apple recommendations. Running a drive occasionally does let a fault announce itself while you are watching, which is worth something; it does not preserve anything.

'''Back up the contents the first time the drive comes back to life''', before doing anything else with it. A drive of this age that reads today may not read next week.