external hard drive operation

  • Thread starter Thread starter timO'
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timO'

What is the best way to use external USB HDDs?
Leave it running all the time,
or Start the PC then switch it on,
or switch it on first then turn on the PC?

I'm maybe going to get a NAS instead
although we only have two PCs. Just the shell (housing) and then get a
HDD and install it. Does that stay on all the time, or get turned on
and off? Any suggested brands for a shell?
Thanks
 
Is this a question about Windows XP?

Sounds more like a question you would ask the manufacturer of whatever
external hard drive you are considering.
 
What is the best way to use external USB HDDs?
Leave it running all the time,
or Start the PC then switch it on,
or switch it on first then turn on the PC?
Click to expand...


What are you using them for?

If you are using them to contain backups (one of the most common uses for
external drives) I *highly* recommend that you do not have it running all
the time, and not even have it connected all the time. Your backup is much
more secure if it is not connected to the computer, and is best stored away
from the computer.
 
timO' said:
What is the best way to use external USB HDDs?
Leave it running all the time,
or Start the PC then switch it on,
or switch it on first then turn on the PC?
Click to expand...

This depends on how you plan to use them. I use mine simply as places to
store my personal stuff, given that the PC itself (and its internal
drive) belong to my employer, so could be taken from me tonight.

I ensure that the USB drives are always on when the system boots,
otherwise the drive letters tend to get shuffled.
 
Is this a question about Windows XP?

Sounds more like a question you would ask the manufacturer of whatever
external hard drive you are considering.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the feedback. I posted the question here because I thought
the answer would be platform specific.
 
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