Resolved Any good reason not to add a DPST switch to my ext HDD

I have two ext HDD's and do not care to leave them connected to my system all the time. I am thinking of just putting in a double pole single throw switch in line with the power cable that has the connector that powers the HDD's. This way I can leave the usb cables & power cables connected all the time. When I need either one I can just flip the switch and then turn on the computer.

Any draw backs. Seems to me this should work fine, but would like another opinion.

Thanks

 

OK, I always use Safely Remove Hardware this when done using flash drives & the ext hhd's. You are saying then just leave hdd's plugged in, then if I need them reboot.

 

I personally don't like the idea of inserting a toggle switch in the power line. I note the transformer will still be connected to power.

I also don't really like external drives either as connectivity just isn't as robust as I would like but that's another issue. If me, and if I felt I really needed to kill power to the ext. HDs when not in use, and if my drive enclosure (or docking station) did not have a separate power switch, I would plug the power blocks to my drive into a switchable extension cord. Then, when not in use and it is safe to remove the drives, I would kill power to the cord, and thus the power blocks.

 

Bill, do use a second internal drive to backup your system?

 

Well, I do have 2 drives in my case, but I consider everything in the case, the system. So when I backup my "system ", I backup all the drives inside.

Backing up to a second drive inside the same computer is better than no backup at all, but not much.

If my backup is on the 2nd drive inside the same computer and a fire, tornado, flood, failed PSU, direct lightning strike, or a thief takes out my system, what good is the backup?

I build myself a new main computer every 3 or 4 years. I then turn my old computer in to a backup server and music streamer. It connects via Ethernet and is located out of sight in the basement. All the computers on my network can access it via my network.

So, from my new PC I am using my old PC as an external drive - a NAS. And it works perfectly, is highly customizable and expandable, and it didn't cost an extra penny.

That said, off-site storage is best. I recommend everyone make an backup of at least your important data (work, tax and school papers, family photos, email, and other documents you don't want to lose). You can always reinstall Windows and your programs from installation disks and download - it is the data that is really important. Then store the backup in a bank safe deposit box. Or least off-sight with a "trusted" neighbor or family member.

If you have a spare, older computer laying around, they make great network storage devices for backups. This is something a XP machine can be repurposed for - but you need to block access to/from the Internet in your router's admin menu.

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I need to clarify what I said above about not liking external drives - I should have said I don't like external drives that connect via USB. Sadly, USB 3.0 is not holding out to be as robust and reliable as promised or expected - at least with external storage devices.

I have never had a Firewire connected external drive so cannot speak to that. I do have a eSATA connected docking station that works great - but since eSATA is for SATA drives (and not a "universal" I/O interface), I expect it to work great with SATA drives.

I prefer Ethernet connected drives primarily because they can be connected anywhere in the house there's an Ethernet port (and my house, that is almost everywhere - even the furnace room). And even old PCs can easily be fitted with wireless for less than $15.

 

Thank you for the comprehensive explanation Bill. I am going to save your reply. I am a late bloomer, I did not get a computer until 2008, now at 67 things need to be re-read a few times for everything to sink in...

 

Well, I am not far behind in years (62) but was lucky to get into computers as an electronics technician in the early 70s.

 

I am playing catch up all the time. The guys n gals (like yourself) here are for the most part are pretty tolerant with me...

I better mark this solved....

 

Using XP's own operating system?

 

Sure! You don't need server software to turn a PC into a server. Any operating system that allows sharing of drives can become a server.

 

erm whats the difference between just using the safely remove USB disk/stick and pulling the cable to turning of a switch short answer nothing your argument about turning of the PC first is wrong

 

Wow! You came into a thread that has been dormant for 6 weeks to say that? Why? Especially considering it is YOU who is wrong, Athlonite! Not TonyT.

The difference is HUGE! When you select the "Safely Remove" option, the OS then ensures any cached data is written to the disk as necessary and all opened files are properly closed BEFORE you are prompted to remove the device.

SAME THING HAPPENS when you ( "gracefully ") shutdown Windows and properly turn off the PC.

But, if you simply kill power suddenly, you risk having opened files remain on the disk, and important data still in the cache "unsaved" - never written to disk.

If you have configured the properties for that "Removable Disk" for "Quick Removal" vs "Better Performance ", then and only then can you safely remove the device without first using the Safely Remove option because the "Quick Removal" option disables write caching. That is, data is written immediately to the disk - it is not temporarily stuffed in a buffer/cache to be saved later when the system is less busy.

So my advice if planning to join a long dormant thread just to criticize (especially to criticize the advice given by an established advisor) do your homework first!

 

I wasn't suggesting he not use the safely remove HDD/stick first before turning off the power to the HDD I was saying that he needn't turn the PC off first before turning the power off to the HDD like this
1: use safely remove USB device
2: wait for windows to say it ok to remove the device
3: flip the switch to off the power (but leave the drive attached)

doing so that way negates the need to turn off the PC before removing power to the HDD

 

Right! But regardless if there is a switch or not, and to the point of this topic, Gary's first sentence of his opening post was clear when he said (my bold underline added),

 

from Gary's original post

This way I can leave the usb cables & power cables connected all the time

if you want to play the quote game Bill

 

Interesting

 

That does not change the fact TonyT was NOT wrong as you claimed when you dredged up this dormant thread. He was absolutely correct - as usual!

Nor does it change the fact you were wrong when you said, "short answer nothing" for the "difference between just using the safely remove USB disk/stick and pulling the cable to turning of a switch ". As noted, there is a HUGE difference between the "safely remove" function and simply cutting connections (yanking cables/flipping switches) - in particular, there is a HUGE difference in the way data is written to disk immediately versus temporarily stuffing the data in a cache to be written to disk later. HUGE difference!!!

With that, I am done here - unless Gary wishes to discuss his situation further.