Category: technical

Why Leaving SSDs Unpowered for Years Can Silently Kill Your Data

Solid-state drives (SSDs) are widely trusted for speed and reliability, but they are not ideal for long-term, unpowered data storage. Unlike hard disk drives (HDDs), SSDs store data as electrical charges inside NAND flash memory cells. When an SSD remains unpowered for extended periods—months or years—those charges slowly degrade, increasing the risk of silent data corruption or complete data loss.

Modern SSDs using TLC and QLC NAND are especially vulnerable. These technologies store multiple bits per cell, which reduces tolerance to charge leakage over time. Drives that have already experienced wear from regular use degrade even faster when left inactive. In practical terms, an SSD stored in a drawer for one or two years may lose data without showing immediate errors or warnings.

Environmental factors also play a major role. Higher temperatures accelerate charge loss, and SSDs that were heavily written to before storage are more susceptible to degradation. While enterprise systems often mitigate this by periodically refreshing stored data, most home users and small businesses assume SSDs are safe as long-term archival storage, which is a risky misconception.

This does not mean SSDs are unreliable. They are excellent for active workloads, operating systems, applications, and fast-access storage. However, for cold storage and long-term archiving, traditional hard drives, optical media, or managed cloud cold storage solutions may provide better long-term data retention when used correctly.

Best practice is redundancy and maintenance.
Always back up important data to multiple storage media, and avoid keeping all copies on the same PC or NAS. Maintain at least one physically separate backup. If you must store data on an SSD, power it on every few months, perform a full read or verification pass, and validate file checksums. SMART monitoring tools like CrystalDiskInfo can help detect early warning signs before data loss becomes permanent.

A. Comparison Tables

Table 1 — SSD vs HDD vs Cloud Storage (Long-Term Archival)

FeatureSSD (Unpowered)HDD (Magnetic)Cloud Storage
Long-term data retention❌ Weak (charge leakage)✅ Strong (magnetic)✅ Very strong (managed redundancy)
Needs periodic power✅ Yes (every 2–6 months)⚠️ Recommended (once per year)❌ No
Risk of silent data corruption⚠️ Medium–High⚠️ Low–Medium⚠️ Low
Susceptible to temperature❌ High⚠️ Medium✅ Provider-managed
Mechanical failure❌ None⚠️ Possible❌ None (user-side)
Ideal use caseOS, apps, active projectsCold storage, archivesOff-site backup & archive
Cost per TB⚠️ Medium–High✅ Low⚠️ Ongoing subscription
Offline access✅ Yes✅ Yes❌ Internet required
Best for “set & forget”?❌ No⚠️ Limited✅ Yes

Verdict:
👉 SSDs excel at speed, not long-term cold storage.
👉 HDDs and cloud storage are safer for multi-year archiving.

Table 2 — Storage Media Comparison (Consumer Perspective)

Storage TypeData Retention (Unpowered)ReliabilitySpeedBest Use Case
SSD SATA⚠️ Medium✅ High⚠️ MediumActive storage, backups
SSD NVMe⚠️ Medium–Low✅ High🚀 Very HighOS, performance workloads
USB Flash Drive❌ Low❌ Low–Medium⚠️ MediumTemporary file transfer
microSD Card❌ Very Low❌ Low⚠️ LowCameras, mobile devices
OneDrive / Google Drive✅ Very High✅ Very High⚠️ Internet-dependentOff-site backup, archive

Key takeaway:
⚠️ USB sticks & microSD cards are worse than SSDs for long-term storage.

AMAZON AFFILIATE LINKS

How to buy a 4K/8K Video Editing PC

Note: Before you buy anything, consider making a search for similar online e-shops, to compare Pricing, Warranty, and Total Costs [+ VAT + Import Tax + Shipping] to read Reviews, and Confirm the purchased item e.g. hardware PC, meets the Recommended [Not-Minimum Requirements, to be your Purchase Future Proof] Requirements of the Software you will be using… e.g.

helpx.adobe.com [premiere-pro/system-requirements.html]

https://helpx.adobe.com/cy_en/premiere-pro/system-requirements.html

Your computer must meet the minimum technical specifications outlined below to run Adobe Premiere Pro. For optimum performance, use recommended system specifications.

Applicable for:

Premiere Pro version 24.0. View previous [2023] system requirements: here.

System requirements [2024] for Premiere Pro:

Minimum and recommended system requirements for Windows

Minimum and recommended system requirements for macOS

Note: 

Minimum specifications are for editing HD video. Recommended specifications are for editing video HD, 4K, or higher resolutions.

From <https://helpx.adobe.com/premiere-pro/system-requirements.html>

Title–1: “Choosing the Perfect Workstation for 4K Video Editing with Premiere Pro 2024”

In the fast-evolving realm of video editing, where 4K content has become the new standard, selecting the right workstation is crucial. Adobe Premiere Pro 2024 demands robust hardware to unleash its full potential. In this guide, we’ll explore the key factors to consider when purchasing a workstation tailored for 4K video editing, specifically optimized for Adobe Premiere Pro 2024.

1. Processor Power: Premiere Pro thrives on a potent processor, and for 4K editing, you need nothing short of a powerhouse. Aim for a multi-core processor with high clock speeds, like Intel’s i9 or AMD’s Ryzen 9 series, to handle the immense data processing demands of 4K video rendering.

2. Graphics Card (GPU): The GPU is the unsung hero of video editing. Adobe applications, especially Premiere Pro, heavily rely on GPU acceleration. Invest in a top-tier graphics card, such as NVIDIA’s RTX series or AMD’s Radeon Pro, to ensure seamless playback and real-time editing of 4K footage.

3. RAM Requirements: Video editing is notorious for being a memory-intensive task. Opt for at least 32GB of RAM, but if your budget allows, consider pushing it to 64GB or more. This ensures smooth multitasking and minimizes the risk of bottlenecks during complex editing sessions.

4. Storage Solutions: High-resolution video files demand ample storage space and rapid data transfer rates. Invest in a combination of SSDs for the OS and applications and high-capacity HDDs for storing raw footage. NVMe SSDs provide lightning-fast read and write speeds, significantly improving project loading times.

5. Display Considerations: A high-quality, color-accurate monitor is crucial for video editing. Choose a 4K monitor with HDR support for accurate color grading. Additionally, consider a dual-monitor setup for enhanced workflow efficiency.

6. Connectivity and Ports: Ensure your workstation has a variety of ports for external devices such as cameras, storage drives, and audio interfaces. USB-C, Thunderbolt, and SD card slots are essential for seamless data transfer.

7. Cooling Solutions: The processing power required for 4K editing generates a significant amount of heat. Invest in a workstation with efficient cooling solutions, such as liquid cooling, to maintain optimal performance and prevent thermal throttling.

8. Future-Proofing: Technology evolves rapidly, and your workstation should be equipped to handle future advancements. Choose a motherboard that supports future upgrades, ensuring your investment lasts for years to come.

9. Budget Allocation: Building the perfect workstation involves finding the right balance between performance and budget. Prioritize components like CPU, GPU, and RAM, as these directly impact editing performance. Allocate resources wisely based on your specific needs and budget constraints.

10. Reviews and Recommendations: Before making a final decision, read reviews and seek recommendations from fellow video editors. Online communities, forums, and professional reviews can provide valuable insights into the real-world performance of different workstation configurations.

In conclusion, investing in a workstation for 4K video editing with Adobe Premiere Pro 2024 is a nuanced process. By considering the processor, GPU, RAM, storage, display, connectivity, cooling, future-proofing, budget allocation, and gathering insights from reviews, you can tailor a system that meets your editing demands and propels your creative projects to new heights. Happy editing!

Title–2: “A Guide to Choosing the Ideal 8K Video Editing, Workstation for Adobe Premiere Pro 2024 and DaVinci Resolve 18.5”

In the dynamic landscape of video editing, the demand for 8K content creation is on the rise. Whether you’re a professional video editor working with Adobe Premiere Pro 2024 or DaVinci Resolve 18.5, selecting the right workstation is paramount. This guide will navigate you through the crucial considerations when purchasing a workstation tailored for the intensive requirements of 8K video editing.

1. Processor Dominance: The heart of your workstation, the processor, should be a juggernaut. Opt for high-core-count CPUs like Intel’s Core i9 or AMD’s Ryzen 9 series to handle the immense data crunching needed for editing 8K footage.

2. Graphics Powerhouse (GPU): Both Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve heavily rely on GPU acceleration. Invest in a top-tier graphics card, such as NVIDIA’s RTX series or AMD’s Radeon Pro, with ample VRAM to facilitate real-time editing, color grading, and rendering of 8K content.

3. Mammoth RAM Requirements: Video editing at 8K demands a substantial amount of memory. Aim for a minimum of 64GB of RAM to ensure smooth playback and efficient handling of large video files. If your budget permits, consider going even higher to 128GB for optimal performance.

4. Storage Speed and Capacity: 8K video files are massive, and your storage solution needs to match. Opt for NVMe SSDs with high read and write speeds for the OS, applications, and project files. Complement this with large-capacity HDDs for storing raw 8K footage.

5. Color-Accurate Displays: A high-quality monitor with accurate color representation is indispensable for 8K video editing. Choose a 4K or 8K display with HDR support to ensure precise color grading in both Premiere Pro and DaVinci Resolve.

6. Connectivity Galore: A plethora of ports is essential for seamless connectivity with external devices. Ensure your workstation has USB-C, Thunderbolt, and various card slots to accommodate the diverse range of peripherals used in professional video editing.

7. Cooling Solutions for Sustained Performance: The processing power required for 8K editing generates substantial heat. Select a workstation with efficient cooling solutions, such as liquid cooling, to maintain peak performance during prolonged editing sessions.

8. Future-Proofing Investments: 8K video editing is at the forefront of content creation, and technology is ever-evolving. Choose a motherboard that supports future CPU and GPU upgrades to keep your workstation relevant as technology advances.

9. Budgeting Wisely: Building a workstation for 8K video editing involves strategic budget allocation. Prioritize components like CPU, GPU, and RAM, as these directly impact editing performance. Balance your budget while ensuring each component meets the demands of 8K content creation.

10. Software Compatibility: Both Adobe Premiere Pro 2024 and DaVinci Resolve 18.5 have specific hardware requirements. Check their official documentation for compatibility, ensuring your chosen components align with the recommended specifications for optimal performance.

In summary, unlocking the full potential of 8K video editing with Adobe Premiere Pro 2024 or DaVinci Resolve 18.5 requires a well-thought-out workstation. By carefully considering the processor, GPU, RAM, storage, display, connectivity, cooling, future-proofing, budgeting, and software compatibility, you can assemble a powerhouse that elevates your 8K editing experience to new heights. Happy editing!

Note: Similar Software e.g., Adobe Premiere Pro vs. DaVinci Resolve — may have different requirements, so you must search for it … e.g., Software-A uses Graphics Card more, while Software-B may use Processor more…

https://www.blackmagicdesign.com/products/davinciresolve

Two Great Versions

DaVinci Resolve

DaVinci Resolve is the world’s only all-in-one solution for editing, color, VFX, motion graphics, and audio! The free version works with virtually all 8‑bit video formats at up to 60fps in resolutions as high as Ultra HD 3840 x 2160. The free version includes multi-user collaboration and HDR grading!

DownloadFree Download Now

DaVinci Resolve Studio

Includes everything in the free version plus the DaVinci Neural Engine, dozens of additional Resolve FX, temporal and spatial noise reduction, stereoscopic 3D, film grain, optical blur and mist effects, and more. It also supports 10‑bit video at up to 120 frames per second and resolutions beyond 4K.

CartBuy Online Now $295

https://helpx.adobe.com/cy_en/premiere-pro/system-requirements.html

Your computer must meet the minimum technical specifications outlined below to run Adobe Premiere Pro 24.0/2024. For optimum performance, use recommended system specifications.

Minimum and recommended system requirements for Windows

MinimumRecommended
ProcessorIntel® 6th Generation or newer CPU – or AMD Ryzen™ 1000 Series or newer CPU Advanced Vector Extensions 2 (AVX2) Support required
 Note:  it is not possible to install the 24.0 versions on Intel® 3rd Generation of processors or older (as well as older AMD processors).		Intel® 11th Generation or newer CPU with Quick Sync – or AMD Ryzen™ 3000 Series / Threadripper 2000 series or newer CPU
Operating system    Windows 10 (64-bit) V20H2 or laterWindows 10 (64-bit) version 22H2 (or later) or Windows 11.
Memory8 GB of RAM16 GB of RAM for HD media32 GB or more for 4K and higher
GPU2 GB of GPU memory4 GB of GPU memory for HD and some 4K media6 GB or more for 4K and higher 
Storage8 GB of available hard disk space for installation; additional free space required during installation (will not install on removable flash storage)Additional high-speed drive for mediaFast internal SSD for app installation and cache additional high-speed drive(s) for media
Display1920 x 10801920 x 1080 or greaterDisplayHDR 1000 for HDR workflows
Sound cardASIO compatible or Microsoft Windows Driver ModelASIO compatible or Microsoft Windows Driver Model
Network storage connection1 Gigabit Ethernet (HD only) 10 Gigabit ethernet for 4K shared network workflow

Setup Laravel 10.x Homestead in Windows 10/11

Section – 1 [Install Software]

https://laravel.com/docs/10.x/homestead#installation-and-setup

vagrant_2.3.7_windows_amd64.msi – https://developer.hashicorp.com/vagrant/downloads

VirtualBox-6.1.46-158378-Win.exe – https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Download_Old_Builds_6_1

VirtualBox 6.1.46 (released July 18 2023) << This and Not the >> VirtualBox 7.0.10 platform packages – ​Windows hosts

According to: https://laravel.com/docs/10.x/homestead#installation-and-setup

Code Editor/IDE: PhpStorm-2023.1.4.exe or VSCodeSetup-x64-1.80.1.exe

Lastly install: Git-2.41.0.3-64-bit.exe – https://git-scm.com/downloads

Section – 2 [ENABLE VT-x in Hardware/BIOS/UEFI if disabled]

http://leonidassavvides.com/blog/2023/07/23/enable-vt-x-in-hp-z640-workstation/

Section – 3 [Installing Homestead]

https://laravel.com/docs/10.x/homestead#installing-homestead

Go To CLI Terminal in IDE/Editor or Windows Terminal or Git Bash Terminal and execute:

git clone https://github.com/laravel/homestead.git D:\htdocs_xampp\Homestead

where D:\htdocs_xampp\Homestead the Homestead directory, after entering this directory:

d:
cd d:\htdocs_xampp\Homestead

Next, execute the bash init.bat command from the Homestead directory to create the Homestead.yaml configuration file. The Homestead.yaml file is where you will configure all of the settings for your Homestead installation. This file will be placed in the Homestead directory: if there is a problem with the 

init.bat

use 

./init.bat

Section – 4 [Configuring Homestead]

Follow the instructions at:

https://laravel.com/docs/10.x/homestead#configuring-homestead

For configuring the file: Homestead.yaml

Section – 5 [Launching The Vagrant Box]

After all, the steps above, it is time to:

Launching The Vagrant Box

You must have in mind the 4 most used CLI commands FROM CLI/Terminal at d:\htdocs_xampp\Homestead\:

vagrant up # if error on this - please Section 6 below
vagrant status
vagrant suspend
vagrant ssh

Section – 6 [Configuring SSH Keys]

In case the first attempt of running: 

vagrant up

you getting

Please give the command to generate ssh keys in Windows:

ssh-keygen -t rsa -C "username@email.com"

This will create the:

C:\Users\lwdls\.ssh\id_rsa.pub
C:\Users\lwdls\.ssh\id_rsa

Then you have to go to Homestead.yaml and edit the SSH Keys with the correct Keys you have just created: 

authorize: C:\Users\lwdls.ssh\id_rsa.pub
keys:
     - C:\Users\lwdls.ssh\id_rsa

Then you return to Section – 5 and give the command: vagrant up

The first time you have to await some time to download the Vagrant VM – Ubuntu Server from the repositories…

After the VM OK is launched go to: http://homestead.test/phpinfo.php to see the webpage of phpinfo():

phpinfo.php

<?php
phpinfo();
?>

if any problem put the phpinfo.php

in

public/phpinfo.php

to stop the VM – shutdown the PC – give

vagrant suspend

To add additional sites:

Adding Additional Sites

https://laravel.com/docs/10.x/homestead#adding-additional-sites

To create a Laravel Site – start with download Laravel files with the:

https://laravel.com/docs/10.x/installation#your-first-laravel-project

At Terminal d:\htdocs_xampp\

composer create-project laravel/laravel example-laravel-app

Composer can be installed from:

https://getcomposer.org/download/

Also, the composer comes preinstalled in Homestead/Vagrant/VM

And, a second way is:

After:

vagrant up

Give:

vagrant ssh

and from Terminal at /home/vagrant/ give the command: 

 composer create-project laravel/laravel example-laravel-app

Any way you choose, be sure to edit the Homestead.yaml and every new website added to run:

vagrant reload --provision

And lastly

To run a new URL locally modify the host file at:

On macOS and Linux, this file is located at /etc/hosts. On Windows, it is located at C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts:

192.168.56.56 homestead.test
192.168.56.56 another1.test
192.168.56.56 another2.test

Again, according to 

Homestead.yaml

After, download the Laravel 10.x bootstrap code base, view the Laravel homepage accordingly by going to http://another1.test.

Happy Laravel Web Development & Coding…!