Leave external HDD on?

[Fred Scheit]

I recently purchased a 250GB external HDD, which works very well and
very happy with it!

I normally boot up the PC first, then power up the ext HDD, Windows XP
recognises it, etc.

Then I do the "Safely Remove Hardware" bit to switch it off, before I
power down the PC.

What I would like to know is:

Is it OK to power up the ext HDD at the same time as the PC boots up?

Would XP recognise it immediately or would this cause
hardware/software problems?

Any tips most appreciated!


Fred

 

[John Turco]

I recently purchased a 250GB external HDD, which works very well and
very happy with it!

I normally boot up the PC first, then power up the ext HDD, Windows XP
recognises it, etc.

Then I do the "Safely Remove Hardware" bit to switch it off, before I
power down the PC.

What I would like to know is:

Is it OK to power up the ext HDD at the same time as the PC boots up?

Would XP recognise it immediately or would this cause
hardware/software problems?

Any tips most appreciated!

Fred

Hello, Fred:

I happen to use Windows Millennium (Win98SE, before that), and my Micro
Solutions "backpack" (30GB USB HDD) always starts, before I turn on my
PC. It's still running, after I shut down Windows and switch off the
computer; then, I close down everything else, including the backpack.

Not certain about XP, but everything's fine, here!


Cordially,
John Turco <[email protected]>

 

[Cl.Massé]

Not certain about XP, but everything's fine, here!

Ditto for XP. At startup, The BIOS and then Windows recognizes all the
hardware. At shutdown, it flushes all the disk buffers (also for the
internal HDD).

Still better: plug both the computer and the external HDD to the same
power strip with a switch on it. In a single operation you're done.

 

[Ian Roberts]

snip

What I would like to know is:

Is it OK to power up the ext HDD at the same time as the PC boots up?

Would XP recognise it immediately or would this cause
hardware/software problems?

Hi Fred

Its OK to switch on at the same time. Its best to switch off the power to
the ext drive when the PC is off to avoid unnecessary wear. Having them on
the same power strip is a good idea.

But even if you forget to switch it on wait till XP has loaded to the
desktop and the hourgalss has disappeared - then switch on the external
drive. Win XP should the detect the "new hardware" and after a few seconds a
baloon message will tell you the drive is ready for use.

I have several spare HDD's that I use in external cases and connect them via
USB. Works without any probs.

HTH

Ian I^)

 

[John Turco]

Ditto for XP. At startup, The BIOS and then Windows recognizes all the
hardware. At shutdown, it flushes all the disk buffers (also for the
internal HDD).

Still better: plug both the computer and the external HDD to the same
power strip with a switch on it. In a single operation you're done.

Hello,

I do have all of my main system's devices plugged into an APC "Back-UPS
LS 700VA" UPS; yet, I prefer to turn each one, on and off, separately.

Just an old habit, I guess!


Cordially,
John Turco <[email protected]>

 

[Fred Scheit]

Thanks everyone for all your advice!

Regards,


Fred