External HD

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AlanD
Posts: 215
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:45 pm

External HD

Post by AlanD »

Would like to have some feedback on the member's use of their external
hard drives.

Namely, do you leave them connected 24/7, and also do you know whether
or not they automatically spin down after some period?

Regards spin-down, I know of no way to control this [if you wanted to]
as you can with internal drive. Any thoughts?

AlanD
Brian K
Posts: 2214
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 1:11 am
Location: NSW, Australia

Re: External HD

Post by Brian K »

Alan,

I turn mine on for about 30 minutes each week. For a secondary backup.
AlanD
Posts: 215
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:45 pm

Re: External HD

Post by AlanD »

On 2013-06-19 5:04 AM, Brian K wrote:
> Alan,
>
> I turn mine on for about 30 minutes each week. For a secondary backup.
>
>
that's been my modus operandi, but "turning on" means plugging in USB
cable and then disconnecting.

I am not thrilled with even sporadic wear and tear on my USB ports, so
started thinking about whether or not it might be prudent just to leave
the drive connected 24/7.

too bad the external drives don't come with an on/off switch
Brian K
Posts: 2214
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 1:11 am
Location: NSW, Australia

Re: External HD

Post by Brian K »

Mine is eSATA powered by AC. I just turn off the power at the main switch.

But for USB drives, I do remove them from the computer.
DrTeeth
Posts: 1289
Joined: Fri Aug 12, 2011 6:58 pm

Re: External HD

Post by DrTeeth »

On Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:23:43 PDT, just as I was about to take a herb,
AlanD disturbed my reverie and wrote:

>too bad the external drives don't come with an on/off switch

And that is why I never buy them. It is bad enough when the power
switch is on the back, but I do not think it is a plus for the drive
to turn on with my PC.

My *favourite* external hard drive is the Samsung Story - power switch
at the front and auto spin down. Their USB 3 model was a casualty of
their sellout to Seagate.

I bought a USB 3 enclosure with a power switch so my externals are
always connected, but not always on :-).
--

Cheers,

DrT

** Stress - the condition brought about by having to
** resist the temptation to beat the living daylights
** out of someone who richly deserves it.
AlanD
Posts: 215
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:45 pm

Re: External HD

Post by AlanD »

On 2013-06-20 4:45 PM, DrTeeth wrote:
> On Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:23:43 PDT, just as I was about to take a herb,
> AlanD disturbed my reverie and wrote:
>
>> too bad the external drives don't come with an on/off switch
>
> And that is why I never buy them. It is bad enough when the power
> switch is on the back, but I do not think it is a plus for the drive
> to turn on with my PC.
>
> My *favourite* external hard drive is the Samsung Story - power switch
> at the front and auto spin down. Their USB 3 model was a casualty of
> their sellout to Seagate.
>
> I bought a USB 3 enclosure with a power switch so my externals are
> always connected, but not always on :-).
>
The USB 3 enclosure is fine (I have one which only accepts 3.5" drives),
but I also have three different WD Passports, which don't plug into any
enclosure (unfortunately).

I understand that the WD Green drives always spin down.
I cannot verify that.



AlanD
AlanD
Posts: 215
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:45 pm

Re: External HD

Post by AlanD »

On 2013-06-20 4:45 PM, DrTeeth wrote:
> On Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:23:43 PDT, just as I was about to take a herb,
> AlanD disturbed my reverie and wrote:
>
>> too bad the external drives don't come with an on/off switch
>
> And that is why I never buy them. It is bad enough when the power
> switch is on the back, but I do not think it is a plus for the drive
> to turn on with my PC.
>
> My *favourite* external hard drive is the Samsung Story - power switch
> at the front and auto spin down. Their USB 3 model was a casualty of
> their sellout to Seagate.
>
> I bought a USB 3 enclosure with a power switch so my externals are
> always connected, but not always on :-).
>
I just uncovered this dated April 2013 from WD:

http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1376/session/L3RpbWUvMTM3MTg0ODYxOC9zaWQvM2NBSCpqdGw%3D
AlanD
Posts: 215
Joined: Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:45 pm

Re: External HD

Post by AlanD »

On 2013-06-20 4:45 PM, DrTeeth wrote:
> On Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:23:43 PDT, just as I was about to take a herb,
> AlanD disturbed my reverie and wrote:
>
>> too bad the external drives don't come with an on/off switch
>
> And that is why I never buy them. It is bad enough when the power
> switch is on the back, but I do not think it is a plus for the drive
> to turn on with my PC.
>
> My *favourite* external hard drive is the Samsung Story - power switch
> at the front and auto spin down. Their USB 3 model was a casualty of
> their sellout to Seagate.
>
> I bought a USB 3 enclosure with a power switch so my externals are
> always connected, but not always on :-).
>
Unfortunately, also found this WD article , which applies to me and my
MacBook Pro:

http://wdc.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1300/session/L3RpbWUvMTM3MTg0ODYxOC9zaWQvM2NBSCpqdGw%3D
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