Cold weather can wreak havoc on temperature-sensitive hard drives used in computers, game consoles, MP3 players and video recorders. Condensation buildup on the drive platters and frozen components can lead to drive failure and data loss.

As a precaution, DriveSavers recommends the following cold weather tips:

• Don't keep hard drive-based electronic devices in cars where temperatures can drop radically at night.

• When your hard drive-based device is exposed to extremely cold temperatures (below 30 degrees), allow them time to warm to room temperature before operating them.

• As an added precaution, always use surge protectors or battery backup systems to protect your new electronic devices. This will prevent damage from power spikes or surges, common during the winter months.

Tags: Drive Savers