what damage do x-ray machines do to USB and hard drives? How many times before they break?

Answer 1

Depends on the period of exposure and the distance. If it is exposed within 1 feet I dunno if it will still work. Unlike magnetic Field hard drives when exposed will just destroy the files within it.

Answer 2

(1) In website-1:
"TIP performed tests on various electronic storage media formats (Secure Digital, Compact Flash, Memory Sticks, etc.) .....

Results: No apparent adverse effect on any of the media cards..."

(2) In website-2:
"With a digital camera (or computer, etc.), you should avoid magnetic scanning devices, like those wands that they use. You're better off sending digital equipment through the X-ray machine than having it hand scanned with the magnetic wand.

[.....the wand emits a stong magnetic field. Ferrous (magetically reactive) metals disturb the magnetic field and that's how the wand detects metal. In theory, a wand may erase magnetic media like floppy disks and casettes; in practice, you'd need to hold the wand right up to the media for several seconds for it to have any harmful effect....."

Kindly read on these two sites and weigh their precautions. Personally, I have notebook, two USB Flash, hard disk (only once) all hand-carried. I let them x-ray scanned when passing through airports....

Answer 3

Modern airport security x-ray machines are configured to not damage most forms of magnetic media and/or film.

Answer 4

generally, hard disks are magnetically shielded (they have to be the amount of electronic frequencies being given off by the components in your computer) so x-rays shouldn't do anything to them.

Answer 5

They don't harm harddisks at alllllllllllllllll