Calling WD Passport Owners:

what is the best/safest way about disconnecting one of these? since there's no on/off button, there seems like several ways to do it, just curious if it really makes a difference. if just unplugging via usb for example, does it matter if you unplug the usb from the computer slot, or the usb from the actual hard drive?

i also heard years ago that most people keep their computers on all the time because it's not good for the hard drive to be turned and off frequently, is that still true and can the same be said for external hard drives? i do keep my computer on and rarely turn it off but would hate to need to keep my external on as well since i'll only rarely need to boot it up to grab some files. just want to be as safe as possible when using/connecting/disconnecting because of how unpredictable these can be. any info appreciated.

 

Well, I think the safest way is to "Safely Remove Hardware," but I just unplug it and I've never had a problem.

As for turning comps on and off, I think it's good to do it occasionally. I'm not aware of problems with the internal HDD, but I do think it's unhealthy for the comp to stay on for long periods. Plus, you can save power.

 

I use a 120GB and a 60GB one and I just unplug them from the computer. I don't disable them or anything in the taskbar. I used to leave them connected to the computer at all times when it was running (despite only needing music/pictures off of it very occasionally), but since I've read passports have gone dead after 6-12 months use, I just plug them in whenever I need a file from them now to prolong their life(s). That simple.

 

On Windows - > "Safely Remove Hardware" since there may be a lag in the computer writing to the HD. You can lose data or make it corrupt.

On Mac -> Eject Drive.

 

Now, I don't have a Western Digital Drive - but all devices in XP and Vista I just unplug - on USB drives I look until the light stops blinking.

There are two settings for most (all?) devices - optimized for fast removal and optimized for performance.

Generally if the device is optimized for fast removal no data corruption loss should occur unless you are actively transfering a file.

 

hmm, unplugging a hdd can actually damage it.

as soon as you unplug it, you cut the power for the hdd and in worst cases it can result in data loss, or even worse the heads of the hdd are not in parking position. shaking the harddrive in such a state can damage the heads and or the platter.

it is no problem to just unplug an usb-stick, but for mechanical drives i always safely remove it. i would not gamble with the safety of my data.

 

Wouldn't the head snap back if you unplug the drive and cut the power supply?

 

WARNING: Do not think that the your WD Passport, using the WD Sync software, is a
backup drive; it is NOT !

As per the documentation with this device:
"synchronization software is intended to synchronize the data from a
computer to the drive (WD Passport) and SHOULD NOT be used as backup
software. To use this software properly, we advise that you do not wipe or
erase the data from the internal hard drive (computer) and resynchronize, as
this will cause the data that WD Sync stored to the Passport to be deleted."

This is why you are hearing so many people saying that they are deleting the
WD Sync software, reformatting, and using the WC Passport as a true backup
drive where you can actually see the files that you are backing up, rather
than a bunch of unrecognizable sync files that likely don't have all the
files that you thought you "backed up" .

 

this apply to all externally mounted storage: unmount the drive before you unplug it!!!

in windows, use the "safely remove hardware" on the bottom left of the screen. what this do to the drive is, its sending "turn off" command to the drive and the drive will shut down, by flushing the cache, parking its head and turn off the disc motor. then you can unplug it from the USB port.

now, if you dont do this. the drive will initiate an emergency shut off, by using the power recovered from the spinning disc through the motor, to unload the head to the ramp. you also miss the chance to empty its cache.

the emergency shut off puts wear and tear on the device and increase the risk of damaging it. the standard start/stop cycle is usually 300k by doing emergency shut off you're cutting the live short to about 60k.

still the 60k is a lot of cycle, no need to worry about turning off or turning on the device, the 300k contact-start/stop is plenty of course this is just estimate. for external drive; the drive firmware usually instruct the drive to turn off if not acceseed within 10-15 minutes anyway.

in regards to turn on and turn off computer off. it doesnt matter much really... if you really must, dont turn off the computer if you gonna be back using it within an hour or so. if you dont plan to use it again for the day, i suggest that you turn the computer off.


in short:

1) safely remove hardware.
2) unplug the device from the usb.

 

Doesn't the external HD automaticallly turn off the motor whenever you stop accessing it? I never hear it spin when I just leave it plugged in

 

the WD passport uses a power supply from the mains anyway.

Just pull out the usb.

 

no no no sir, ur thinking of the 3.5" WD mybook. which you also need to eject first.