Information storage device with a conductive shield having free and forced heat convection configurations

An information storage device comprising:

• a disk drive including a disk drive base having a first side and an opposing second side, a spindle attached to the disk drive base, a disk attached to the spindle, a disk drive cover attached to the first side of the disk drive base to enclose the spindle and the disk, and a disk drive printed circuit board attached to the disk drive base and disposed adjacent the second side of the disk drive base;
• a disk drive support structure adapted to maintain the second side of the disk drive base in a substantially vertical position with respect to gravity;
• and
• an electrically conductive shield attached to the disk drive base, the electrically conductive shield being disposed adjacent to and along the second side of the disk drive base and overlying the disk drive printed circuit board,
• the electrically conductive shield including:
• a fan mounting surface having a fan duct opening disposed adjacent an upper end of the electrically conductive shield, and
• a lower air inlet opening disposed adjacent a lower end of the electrically conductive shield;
• wherein the electrically conductive shield is spaced from the second side of the disk drive base to form a continuous internal air passageway from the lower air inlet opening to the fan duct opening thereby creating a path for free convective air circulation through the passageway, and wherein the information storage device includes no fan attached to the fan mounting surface.