megatron-uk wrote on 2025-01-24, 15:43:

It's the same as most machinery; they are best when they are at 'steady state'. i.e. in use and working.

Like any piece of machinery, you change the working environment, how often it is used, how hard it is used or how it is stored - and it is far more than likely to fail on you.

I'd be willing to bet that most of the failures with retro computing parts and systems is from very shortly after coming out of long term storage.

This is 101% correct! All my dead hardware went to components heaven after being put in storage for some time and than putting it in use again! Despite taking all the precaution: waiting to reach room temperature, replacing thermal paste, using top of the line PSU, checking for bulging capacitors some parts died after sitting in storage - the storage room is dry and cold so it could not be moisture or excessive heat!