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    external 2.5" HD question

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by drumfu, Mar 6, 2005.

  1. drumfu

    drumfu super modfu

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    i have a 40GB drive from a previous notebook that i'm using as an external drive. it's enclosed in a cheap little case that i bought from fry's. i can't remember the brand name, but its just a metal sleeve that fits snugly around the HD with a usb port and a light at one end.

    my question is when i want to unplug the drive, there is no on/off switch. i simply go to the windows taskbar and 'eject' the device. once windows tells me it's ready to unplug, i can unplug it, but there is still power going to the drive and it's still spinning. everytime i unplug it, i can hear the drive coming to a screeching halt.

    is there a trick or maybe freeware app that will allow me to park the drive before unplugging it?
     
    drumfu, Mar 6, 2005
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  2. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    I just unplug mine all the time, but I never hear a loud noise...maybe it's just echoing, or the drive might be on the cheaply built side. Either way, I don't think you're going to damage it, but a noise like that can be unsettling. All that said, I don't know of an application to help you.

    Brian

    www.BargainPDA.com | www.DigitalCameraReview.com | www.NotebookReview.com | www.SpotStop.com | www.TabletPCReviewSpot.com
     
    Brian, Mar 6, 2005
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  3. pr5owner

    pr5owner Notebook Consultant

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    when you tell windows to eject the HW i think it parks the RW heads for you, i think i dont even tell windows to eject anymore, if the lights not blinking i just unplug it, lol, he heads are parked anyways if the HDD is not active.

    -->Asus M6BNe | Pentium M 1.6GHz Dothan | 1024MB PC2700 Micron Ram | Radeon 9700 Pro 64MB | 80GB Samsung 5400 RPM 8MB Cache | Gigabit LAN | CDRW + DVD Combo |
    -->Compal CL56 | Pentium M 1.6GHz Dothan | 1024MB Ram | Radeon 9700 Pro 128MB | 60GB HDD | 10/100 LAN | DVDRW |

     
    pr5owner, Mar 10, 2005
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  4. bootleg2go

    bootleg2go Notebook Deity NBR Reviewer

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    Hi drumfu,
    There is no need for any software to turn it off. Just unplug it, no software is needed at all. Just make sure that you don't unplug it while it still reading or writing; if it has a little light that flickers when it's reading/writing make sure it goes off. If the light is always on, it just a power light. If your not reading or writing a hugh file, you should be able to just unplug it if you have not copied anything to it in past couple of seconds.

    Jack

    "They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security" (Ben Franklin)
    http://pbase.com/joneill
     
    bootleg2go, Mar 11, 2005
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