So How Can We Minimize The Incidents And The Impact Of Hard Disk Failures?

• So can we let the computer shut the hard disk down when it is not being used? Will this extend the life? Can we get it to shut the fan down? Lower clock speed will mean less temperature rise. Will Windows housekeeping tasks prevent the hard disk from shutting down?
• How about letting the computer Sleep? Will that shut down the hard disk, lower clock speed to shut down fan? Would Internet activity, like a software update coming in, reawaken it?
• Do computers really need to be on all night every night? Couldn't software updates be scheduled?
• Better to use computers with Solid State Hard Drive? Last longer? Lower power? Costs?
• Keep software on SSHD. Configuration data, in SSHD, but with drive keeping track of number of writes and assigning other cells as needed?
• User download data redirected to a simulated hard disk in the volatile core memory?
• When a computer fails, wouldn't it be cheaper to send it to Tech Services on the Shuttle? That way it would be repaired in their shop. Field calls require senior people. But in shop service could be junior people.
• Could branch have extra machines, tried out and ready, stored in their boxes?

Foxconn Nano PC AT-7330 Intel Core i3 (i3-3227U) 1.9Ghz 4GB DDR3 250GB HDD ( sale price, refurbished, $142, 250 GB hard disk )

Foxconn is based in Taiwan. From seeing these Nano PC's in action it appears that they do shut down their hard disks when not being used. If you touch a key or the mouse, then you have to wait a moment while it spins up its hard disk.

So people don't use Bubble Memories anymore because of the advances in the floating gate and electron tunneling technology of solid state memories

Advantage offered by solid-state drives Increased durability due to no moving parts to wear out or fail

SDD versus HDD

So letting computers shut down their hard disks, or even sleep, or how about changing to solid state hard drive? HP EliteOne 800? HP EliteOne 800 G1 All-in-One PC Product Specifications

Typical hard drive is 500GB, solid state drives start at 120GB

HP EliteOne 800 G1 Hard Disk Drive / Solid State Drive Replacement, 5 inch DVD removable media storage also

Windows 7: Hard Drive - Turn Off Hard Disk After Idle or Never