Grigoriy Kotkowski
asked on
Best practices with HDD dock station
Hello everybody!
Recently I've purchased a USB 3.0 dock station for a 3,5" HDD. It does have on/off switch (which is great - now I know why!).
My question is... I know that Windows 7 controls its hard drive C: in a sense that one can decide whether to leave it constantly on etc.
In a case I mentioned above, it doesn't apply. I'm not aware that there's such a thing for a drive connected via USB bus. Right?
If so, what should I do? Is it better to play with the USB 3.0 cable (keep plugging and unplugging while HDD outside of my PC is working, being idle that is, of course, not in the middle of something) OR should I just switch it off when I don't need it (again, provided that I do that while HDD seems to be quiet-idle)?
Recently I've purchased a USB 3.0 dock station for a 3,5" HDD. It does have on/off switch (which is great - now I know why!).
My question is... I know that Windows 7 controls its hard drive C: in a sense that one can decide whether to leave it constantly on etc.
In a case I mentioned above, it doesn't apply. I'm not aware that there's such a thing for a drive connected via USB bus. Right?
If so, what should I do? Is it better to play with the USB 3.0 cable (keep plugging and unplugging while HDD outside of my PC is working, being idle that is, of course, not in the middle of something) OR should I just switch it off when I don't need it (again, provided that I do that while HDD seems to be quiet-idle)?
ASKER
Thanks for your reply!
Actually, I forgot to mention that the dock station has ITS OWN power cord/adapter that goes into a power outlet on the wall.
Therefore I assume that the dock station doesn't consume the power from the USB port, but who knows... Is there a way to find out?
Actually, I forgot to mention that the dock station has ITS OWN power cord/adapter that goes into a power outlet on the wall.
Therefore I assume that the dock station doesn't consume the power from the USB port, but who knows... Is there a way to find out?
The hdd should still stop when getting the eject order. What dock station is it exactly? maybe the manufacturer could give you more detail.
ASKER
Eject order doesn't work. Windows gives an error message. Only could turn the drive on that way.
ViPower VPP-89038P
ViPower VPP-89038P
ViPower VPP-89038P
It's meant to be on at all times because it's meant for fast access. Ejecting and removing the hdd seems to be the only safe procedure.
It's meant to be on at all times because it's meant for fast access. Ejecting and removing the hdd seems to be the only safe procedure.
ASKER
Thank you for your reply!
So basically the right way is to use that icon in a task bar for stopping the drive and then what - turn off the switch on the dock station or plug off the USB 3.0 cord from the notebook itself?
I understand that in any scenario it's important TO WAIT first till the disk fully stops? (I can hear it pretty well...)
So basically the right way is to use that icon in a task bar for stopping the drive and then what - turn off the switch on the dock station or plug off the USB 3.0 cord from the notebook itself?
I understand that in any scenario it's important TO WAIT first till the disk fully stops? (I can hear it pretty well...)
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ASKER
Okay then,so
1.) Ejecting in the task bar by using the icon;
2.) Switching it off physically;
3.) Pulling off USB 3.0 cord from the PC.
Thanks a lot!
1.) Ejecting in the task bar by using the icon;
2.) Switching it off physically;
3.) Pulling off USB 3.0 cord from the PC.
Thanks a lot!
You got it. Thanks for the points.
Important: Never unplug a usb device without ejecting it safely.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/safely-remove-devices-from-your-computer