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how do I keep Finder from searching my external HD?

F

firstyearprof

macrumors member
Original poster
Hi all,

Quick question from a mac neophyte. How do I keep the Finder from searching through my external HD? The behavior I'm trying to get rid of is this: I double click my hard drive (or go to save a file), and my computer hangs for several seconds while my external HD begins to whirl. Beachball. Finally, it all comes back on line with my external showing up to.

I would like for Finder to not try to access the external unless I specifically ask it to. Any ideas? Thanks!!

Matt
 
I have the same problem. Only it happens at stupid times, like during the Save dialog or when I right-click an icon in the dock.

I asked around and couldn't come up with any way to prevent it.
 
Shouldn't do that unless you are accessing that drive through the finder or save dialog. Do you have Put Hard Disks to sleep when possible checked in the energy saver options. That will keep your external sleeping unless you specifically browse them.
 
Hi all,

My external HD was already set to not being searched under the "privacy" tab for spotlight. Also, my preferences say "put harddrives to sleep" under power options. Same behavior... other ideas?
 
the Finder spins up (wakes) an external drive if the disk platters have spun down (sleep) when a Finder window or Finder open/save window is opened. this is how the Finder works and i dont think there is a way to modify this behaviour.

the only work around is to uncheck "Put hard disk(s) to sleep when possible" in the Energy Saver preferences. this prevents the disk platters of the external drive spinning down. overtime a hard drive whos disk platters are kept spinning will have a greater life span than one whos platters are spun down all the time.
 
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