Stop/start harddisk in Windows 7?

Dutch Guy · 18 May 2011 at 14:39

I recently installed a SSD with Windows 7 64bit on it, I have a 1TB drive for games and files and a 750GB drive functioning as a backup drive.
I have connected this 750GB drive externally by routing a power connector outside and using the external SATA connector.

Whenever I need to use that drive I have to connect it before powering on but I was wondering if it might be possible to shut down or start that harddisk in Windows, is that possible?

UnworthyBean · 18 May 2011 at 14:48

Revosleep will do it, But the powering on and off will obviously wear out the drive faster.

Any reason you want it off?

Dutch Guy · 18 May 2011 at 15:06

UnworthyBean said:
Any reason you want it off?

I have a very quiet system so I want it off if not needed.
But sometimes I am working on the computer and need a file off the drive but now I have to shutdown, connect the drive and restart.

Or is there a way to connect the drive when runnign Windows, or is that a no-no?

CaptainCrash · 18 May 2011 at 15:29

Dutch Guy said:
Or is there a way to connect the drive when runnign Windows, or is that a no-no?

It depends if the eSATA controller supports hotswapping - if you have the option to use AHCI mode for example, the answer would be yes (check your mobo handbook).

I'd use a proper eSATA enclosure with a switch though - from what you've described it sounds like you'll be pulling the power connector from the bare drive while it's running, which sounds a bit dodgy to me.

theheyes · 18 May 2011 at 17:26

Can you not just tell the external drive to spin down? That's what I do with mine because I have an SSD + data drive too. You just have to wait for it to spin up again when you need to access it (it takes 2 seconds)

rhysduck · 18 May 2011 at 18:28

^ This is something that I would find very useful, the ability to Spin DOWN.

Uhtred · 18 May 2011 at 18:52

it is possible to remove disks with AHCI i think - i have done it in the past, but spin down seems like the better solution

theheyes · 18 May 2011 at 22:43

If you go into advanced power settings you can set your inactive hard disks to power off after a set amount of time. I have mine set to 20 minutes which works for me. I have an 80GB X-25m which is obviously limited so I have lots of data files on the disk.

After installing the SSD (and I have a pretty quiet fan setup with some rheostats) the disk was the loudest thing in the machine and I use it for a TV/radio so it made sense for it to be off for most of the time. Mine is an internal disk but I can only assume it will work for external sata as well.

Dutch Guy · 19 May 2011 at 09:48

I read that setting the disk to turn off causes data loss or problems with a (vertex2E) SSD?

bledd · 19 May 2011 at 11:01

I set mine to AHCI

On my media centre, I just plug my docked drive in and wince as I do it

Dutch Guy · 19 May 2011 at 11:26

bledd. said:
I set mine to AHCI

On my media centre, I just plug my docked drive in and wince as I do it

The thing that scares me is what happens when I remove the power connector and the drive screwing up the head positions.
But I guess I will try it and hope for the best.

theheyes · 19 May 2011 at 16:59

Dutch Guy said:
I read that setting the disk to turn off causes data loss or problems with a (vertex2E) SSD?

I can't say I've heard this, and I'm referring to switching off the mechanical disk anyway. Keep switching the disk on and off is bound to theoretically increase wear and tear but I don't see how it's much different from repeatedly sleeping and waking a laptop.

If it's data loss you're worried about I'd feel much better letting the disk put itself to sleep than yanking the power connector.

bledd · 20 May 2011 at 17:10

Doing it in sleep mode works too

Saves a full restart

Dutch Guy · 21 May 2011 at 15:05

Attached the SATA and power cable when the system was running and it went fine so I guess I will just connect it like that if I need to do a backup or get a file from the drive.