Internal Hard disk as backup

[Howard Schwartz]

I still find an extra internal hard disk as my most convenient backup
device. In this regard, there are partition managers, and bios setup menu
settings to hide a disk or make it `inactive' (in the bios).

Do any of these settings actually turn off hardware power to the backup
disk, so it does not go spinning around when the computer is on? This is
what I want to do, so I only wear out the backup when I am using it.

I realize there are spindown utilities that can command the disk to
stop after PC backup. But it would be better not to start the thing up only
to turn it off in 20 seconds, each session

 

[Steve H]

I still find an extra internal hard disk as my most convenient backup
device. In this regard, there are partition managers, and bios setup menu
settings to hide a disk or make it `inactive' (in the bios).

Do any of these settings actually turn off hardware power to the backup
disk, so it does not go spinning around when the computer is on? This is
what I want to do, so I only wear out the backup when I am using it.

As far as I know there is no way to power down a secondary hard drive
without also powering down the primary. The only solution I've seen
thus far has been 'hot swapable' drives, which can be physically
removed from the computer whilst it's running. However, this appears
to be only available to SCSI drives, and sometimes SATA.

I wouldn't think wear is really an issue, not with the price and
reliability of modern drives - but power consumption and noise are
quite pertinent concerns.

I realize there are spindown utilities that can command the disk to
stop after PC backup. But it would be better not to start the thing up only
to turn it off in 20 seconds, each session

Got any links to these utils, assuming they can spin down individual
drives?

Regards,

 

[David]

I still find an extra internal hard disk as my most convenient backup
device. In this regard, there are partition managers, and bios setup menu
settings to hide a disk or make it `inactive' (in the bios).

Do any of these settings actually turn off hardware power to the backup
disk, so it does not go spinning around when the computer is on? This is
what I want to do, so I only wear out the backup when I am using it.

It would involve less wear if you leave it running all the time. Most
wear occurs during spin-up.
--
David
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[John Fitzsimons]

I still find an extra internal hard disk as my most convenient backup
device. In this regard, there are partition managers, and bios setup menu
settings to hide a disk or make it `inactive' (in the bios).

Do any of these settings actually turn off hardware power to the backup
disk, so it does not go spinning around when the computer is on? This is
what I want to do, so I only wear out the backup when I am using it.

I have a removable rack for my second hard drive. I just turn the key
to make sure it doesn't bootup when I start the computer. When I want
both drives on at once, eg. a backup, I just turn the key the opposite
direction first.

I realize there are spindown utilities that can command the disk to
stop after PC backup. But it would be better not to start the thing up only
to turn it off in 20 seconds, each session

Don't know why you would want your extra drive on for 20 seconds
if you aren't doing a backup. I keep my other drive off as much as
possible. It reduces wear, and noise. It also helps if I ever get a
virus that wants to delete my hard drive(s). Only C: would die.

Regards, John.

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[Richard Steinfeld]

I wonder if there's a nifty solution that would involve simply turning
off the DC power to the drive. In other words, running a cord to a
toggle switch on the back panel.

I realize that there would have to be one or two settings changed as
well, for example, in the CMOS and maybe the OS.

Thoughts?

Richard

 

[David]

I wonder if there's a nifty solution that would involve simply turning
off the DC power to the drive. In other words, running a cord to a
toggle switch on the back panel.

I realize that there would have to be one or two settings changed as
well, for example, in the CMOS and maybe the OS.

Thoughts?

Richard

Use a double pole single throw switch and break both power lines. Set
the CMOS to auto detect and everything should be fine.
--
David
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[Bernard Peek]

I have a removable rack for my second hard drive. I just turn the key
to make sure it doesn't bootup when I start the computer. When I want
both drives on at once, eg. a backup, I just turn the key the opposite
direction first.

That should do exactly what the OP wants, with the added bonus that if
he has another drive with same geometry he can hot-swap them. One thing
to watch out for is that it's important to make sure that the OS isn't
writing to the drive when it is powered off. In NT4/W2K/XP it's possible
to unmount a drive in software. I don't think it's possible with any
varian to Windows 9x.

 

[Terry Russell]

Use a double pole single throw switch and break both power lines. Set
the CMOS to auto detect and everything should be fine.

ATA , IDE your common or garden drive are not designed for hot swap,
you need extra hardware if you want to drop power and connectors otherwise
you had better power off completely before switching the reboot, and
of course you will one day accidentally switch whilst hot.

Bad switching , unbalanced power or switching spikes look just like
faulty power wiring or connectors.
A bad connector, unbalanced power or spiking can make disks or power supply
go byebye announcing their demise with quite pretty sprays of red hot metal
bouncing
around inside the the case near all the other electronics in a cascade of
vapourising dollars.
The mini mushroom clouds curling up either side of the case just complete
the experience.
Mostly they just fail silently and refuse to talk to anybody thereafter.

Those cheap 4 pin connector shells and crimped wires are quite capable
of not being capable, with the above results if one or more connectors ,
don't..

The newer SATA drives, removable drive bays, external usb drive boxes
are meant to be hot swappable and thus allow random power down.

 

[David]

ATA , IDE your common or garden drive are not designed for hot swap,
you need extra hardware if you want to drop power and connectors otherwise
you had better power off completely before switching the reboot, and
of course you will one day accidentally switch whilst hot.

Bad switching , unbalanced power or switching spikes look just like
faulty power wiring or connectors.
A bad connector, unbalanced power or spiking can make disks or power supply
go byebye announcing their demise with quite pretty sprays of red hot metal
bouncing
around inside the the case near all the other electronics in a cascade of
vapourising dollars.
The mini mushroom clouds curling up either side of the case just complete
the experience.
Mostly they just fail silently and refuse to talk to anybody thereafter.

Those cheap 4 pin connector shells and crimped wires are quite capable
of not being capable, with the above results if one or more connectors ,
don't..

The newer SATA drives, removable drive bays, external usb drive boxes
are meant to be hot swappable and thus allow random power down.

I agree with all of the above. I still maintain that damage is more
likely to occur to the drive during power up or power down than
leaving it running 24/7. Power surges are involved every time power is
applied.
--
David
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E-mail: justdas at iinet dot net dot au