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Using a Laptop over 3,500 m Using a Laptop over 3,500 m
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Communications Connecting - internet cafes, laptops, smart phones - how to connect, use, which one, and intercom/radio systems.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



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  #1  
Old 10 Aug 2004
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Using a Laptop over 3,500 m
The owner of the California Cafe in Huaraz, Peru advised me not to use my laptop over 3,500m.

He said a customer had powered his up and his heads hit the disk which completely trashed his disk.

The heads are designed to 'float' on a cushion of air, but there apparently just wasn't enough of it at that altitude.

Take care

Tech Dept


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  #2  
Old 10 Aug 2004
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yes, thanks for pointing it out Jerome - here's a quote from http://www.wordiq.com/definition/Hard_drive

"A hard disk drive requires a certain range of air pressures in order to operate properly. If the air pressure is too low, the air will not exert enough force on the flying head, the head will not be at the proper height, and there is a risk of head crashes and data loss. (Specially manufactured sealed and pressurized drives are needed for reliable high-altitude operation, above about 10,000 feet.) Some modern drives include flying height sensors to detect if the pressure is too low, and temperature sensors to alert the system to overheating problems."

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[This message has been edited by Grant Johnson (edited 09 August 2004).]
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  #3  
Old 11 Aug 2004
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Here's more from ricahrad at www.eastofthesun.co.uk

'Just realised am using 1gb microdrive in camera. It is of course a mini HD just checked and it has a maximum altitude of 3000m.....bugger. Only got 1 256mb card for the little camera. So no pictures above 3000m then. Or even use the 256mb then empty to my xs drive as that is HD too. I did kind of know that but must have put it to tha back of my mind!'


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  #4  
Old 11 Aug 2004
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glad no one told us that before we used the PC at Base Camp 5400 in -5 centigrade. just shows how lucky you can be when you don't know these things!
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  #5  
Old 15 Nov 2004
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We used our laptop quite extensively for 10 days at almost 3900 meters when we updated our web site by the shores of the Lake Titicaca.

Cities like La Paz at 3600 meters and Potosi at 4000 meters run computers day-in day-out for their government operations. Also, if the computer failure rate due to the elevation was that much higher, I guess the prices at the internet cafes would be sensibly higher - but they're not.

I think you should be much more scared of humidity than altitude (if you go to rain forest areas, for instance). So... take chances and always carry a backup disk.

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