System virtualization = HDD damage (with time)?

[ocsi]

After prolonged use of system virtualization software (ex. Shadow Defender, Wondershare Time Freeze, Deep Freeze etc.) is damaged HDD?
Example:
Wondershare Time Freeze 2.0 - Settings - Advanced settings - activation Buffer Mode = This settings: "Minimize the frequency of reading /writing hard disk to prolong service life"

[chris1341]

I'm not sure why virtualisation software such as the ones you have mentioned would damage the HDD. They are only performing the same writes as the system would anyway just in a 'virtual' container. I suppose they may have to copy some files from 'real' to 'virtual' as they are used increasing activity but would imagine that would not be a huge factor. Some might argue they prevent defragmentation and the build up of temporary files so reduce the activity required to resolve those issues and are therefore good for the HDD(?)

Things like RollBack RX & Comodo Time Machine (restore rather than virtualisation) use the disc in a different way and I have seen some debate on the merits of that but not the virtualisation software you mention.

The Wondershare Buffer mode looks simillar to something that used to be available in Returnil where phsical memory (RAM/paging) was used to store the changes rather than a container somewhere on the disc (although paging is still obviously written to the HDD). This obviously reduces the disc activity. Perhaps Buffer mode uses only RAM who knows. Again though I think it is open to debate whether that would have enough impact to 'pro-long service life'.

I'm sure someone will give you a better technical explanation

[TheKid7]

I do not think that virtualization softwares have a significant impact on hard drive life.

The last hard drive which I purchased was an 'Enterprise Grade' SATA 300 hard drive which is designed for heavy near continuous 24/7 read/writes. Theoretically, an 'Enterprise Grade' hard drive should last somewhat longer than a typical SATA 300 hard drive.

[Mrkvonic]

There's no clear connection between disk activity and disk life.
Mrk

[MrBrian]

Massive Google hard drive survey turns up very interesting things. Paper is available at labs.google.com/papers/disk_failures.pdf

[QQ2595]

In theory, The one like Wondershare time freeze or Toolwiz time freeze is much safer for disk, as they are using memory for swap cache.

[andyman35]

Originally Posted by MrBrian

Massive Google hard drive survey turns up very interesting things. Paper is available at labs.google.com/papers/disk_failures.pdf

That's a fascinating survey and very surprising conclusions,good find.

[majoMo]

Originally Posted by QQ2595

In theory, The one like Wondershare time freeze or Toolwiz time freeze is much safer for disk, as they are using memory for swap cache.

Toolwiz Time Freeze (named BTOWS Time Freeze, some months ago) doesn't use "memory for swap cache". It creates in system drive a "BTOWS" folder with "Sandbox.dat" file to do their work.

It's free and works under 64 bits systems also. A lightweight virtualization app..