Making Internal HD 'Switchoffable'

mrobsessed

Hi All,

I'm upgrading my PC with an 128GB SSD which will have the system, programs and enough space for general use, but I still need the existing HD for mass storage of large files like video and music. I would like the HD to be switched off when I don't need it and have the ability of to be switched on and mount without rebooting when I need to copy or access files on it. How can I do this?

The main reason is for noise - the PC is entirely silent except for the HD which has to be on as the system is on it at the moment. I know you can buy external cases that a HDD can be put into, but would prefer the HD to remain in the case if possible with a front mounted switch perhaps. Do the cases have hardware that allows a drive to mount and unmount when it is turned on and off? Can I get this functionality with some sort of power switch attachment?

Many thanks.
Mr O

Lum

On Windows XP: Start -> Control Panel -> Power Options and then change the option I have highlighted to something like 10 minutes.


On Windows Vista, 7 and 8 this is already done for you though you can check and tweak it by going to: Start -> Control Panel -> Power Opptions -> Edit Plan Settings -> Change advanced power settings -> Hard Disk

You will likely find that even without doing this, the HD will be a lot quieter as it's only really making much noise when actually reading or writing data. A lot of that goes on on the C: drive which will now be your SSD.

mrobsessed

Thanks, good tip.

I had an app on Mac a while ago that would 'spin down' the HD, presumably this will do that after a period of no disk activity, but there is always the prospect of various software keeping the HD active by accessing it periodically, like virus software for instance, so I would still like the option of a hardware power down rather than a software option.

RobTang

I think you would have to make something yourself, there isn't any demand for what you're asking, mostly the software power-offs are fine. You can always set indexes and scanners not to the hit the drive.

Fortunately SATA drives are hot swappable, and you could potentially find a moxlex adapter which has a switch on it (normally used for fans) eg somthing like this
http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/310636544487?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&adtype=pla&crdt=0

You can then just stick a sata adapter on the molex switch so you can kill the power to the drive when needed.

Dont forget the "eject" the disk before you power off however (its similar to the process to eject usb keys)

or you could get an internal caddy like this http://www.scan.co.uk/products/icybox-ib-128sk-b-black-sata-removebale-hdd-rack-with-blue-eye-lockable-aluminum-plastic
and just pull the drive out when not needed.

Mr_Toad

mrobsessed wrote: »

Thanks, good tip.

I had an app on Mac a while ago that would 'spin down' the HD, presumably this will do that after a period of no disk activity, but there is always the prospect of various software keeping the HD active by accessing it periodically, like virus software for instance, so I would still like the option of a hardware power down rather than a software option.

You could take the disk out of the PC and put it in a USB enclosure. Then all you have to do is plug it in when you need it.

Pinkypants

mrobsessed wrote: »

Hi All,

I'm upgrading my PC with an 128GB SSD which will have the system, programs and enough space for general use, but I still need the existing HD for mass storage of large files like video and music. I would like the HD to be switched off when I don't need it and have the ability of to be switched on and mount without rebooting when I need to copy or access files on it. How can I do this?

The main reason is for noise - the PC is entirely silent except for the HD which has to be on as the system is on it at the moment. I know you can buy external cases that a HDD can be put into, but would prefer the HD to remain in the case if possible with a front mounted switch perhaps. Do the cases have hardware that allows a drive to mount and unmount when it is turned on and off? Can I get this functionality with some sort of power switch attachment?

Many thanks.
Mr O

Entirely silent? What about the fan moving air around? Does the air flow not make any noise?

Only ask as I have a SSD with 2 normal HD in and all I can hear is the airflow or possibly the fan.