Is it a bad idea to run a NAS like this?

So I put in the HDD but I'm very clumsy and couldn't find a screwdriver so I didn't screw it in. In order for the HDD not to move, I laid the NAS on the side instead of having it 'stand' while operating. I did this 20 min ago, so far so good, registered everything I needed and am currently writing a ton of stuff to it without issues

Is this dangerous?

No, just need to order the screws to secure.

Some NAS units the HHDs just slide in and don't use screws.

NavyLCDR said:

Some NAS units the HHDs just slide in and don't use screws.

Mine does tho, 5 screws to be exact; but I couldn't screw them in so I thought why not just put my NAS on its side and operate it like that

So far so good. IS this dangerous in the long run?

Berton said:

Mechanically it is not dangerous. The drive I formally used had to stand on end due to the vent holes/screen being on the back and top edges, no fan for cooling. My new one has 2 drives and a fan but also has the vent holes on the top edge. The consideration is that heat flows upward.

But will it damage my NAS or HDD, so instead of lasting, say, 5 years, it will only last 2 or sth like that

Berton said:

Heat always damages electronics, full extent hard to predict, heating then cooling in cycles does too, so Yes, it could shorten the life span.

How significantly? What if the DSM interface says the my NAS' state is exceptional(ly good)?