Portable Hard Drive and USB Hub Situation
Average or slightly better user here...reconfiguring my two-computer system which includes enough peripherals to warrant using a couple of USB hubs .
One has an A/B selector to enable me to designate which computer is active, and the other has 13 USB ports (which feed into one port on the other hub).
Everything works fine but now I have a question I hadn't thought about before hooking everything up.
I use three portable hard drives, the pocket-sized ones that plug into your computer (or (hub) via a USB port. These drives are 250 GB, 350 GB and 500 GB units. I keep certain files and program on each one which are accessed for use weekly. Now that they're all plugged into a USB hub, I see that the "working" lights are on all the time. Prior to this, I simply plugged each one as needed into a computer and took it off when I was done.
The question: with these units being "ON" -- I assume that means the small disk inside spinning constantly -- will that significantly decrease the working life of the units, or is leaving them on every day until I shut down at the end of the day not a terribly negative factor?
One has an A/B selector to enable me to designate which computer is active, and the other has 13 USB ports (which feed into one port on the other hub).
Everything works fine but now I have a question I hadn't thought about before hooking everything up.
I use three portable hard drives, the pocket-sized ones that plug into your computer (or (hub) via a USB port. These drives are 250 GB, 350 GB and 500 GB units. I keep certain files and program on each one which are accessed for use weekly. Now that they're all plugged into a USB hub, I see that the "working" lights are on all the time. Prior to this, I simply plugged each one as needed into a computer and took it off when I was done.
The question: with these units being "ON" -- I assume that means the small disk inside spinning constantly -- will that significantly decrease the working life of the units, or is leaving them on every day until I shut down at the end of the day not a terribly negative factor?
SOLUTION
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nobus
and i hope that 1 or both ubs (and disks ) have their own power supply - to avoid overloading the usb
ASKER
Wow, fast reply after my posting and a very comprehensive range of points and ideas that led to a quick and easy solution. Way to go!
it would be nice if you posted that solution..