can a wrong alignment cause a decrease in a hdd's life expectancy?

[Warren Block]

On Mon, 19 Dec 2011, Alexander Best wrote:

> no problem. so will the improper alignment also not cause a life expectancy
> shortage in case of a hdd (non-flash-based)?
>
> and one other question: the hdd also supports usb 3. will the improper
> alignment have any effect (speed wise) when connected via usb 3, or is even
> usb 3 too slow to notice the performance drop due to the improper alignment?

Many variables: file system, file size, drive firmware...  The only 
reason not to fix it is time.  And space for a temporary copy... two, 
two reasons not to fix it.

Benchmark it as-is, back up, realign, restore, benchmark again.

Or live with the gnawing, creeping doubt of not knowing for sure. 
Every day wondering "is that drive slower than it could be just from a 
simple alignment error?  Is every read a mere fraction of its 
potential?

But it's probably fine.  No pressure.