Turn off External HD...

[aaagat111]

I just received my 160 GB Lacie External HD, and it is working great.

I was wondering if it would be a good idea to turn it off every night, or if that matters at all.

Thanks,
-AAA

 

[adk]

I'd recommend it. It probably won't overheat or anything, but all hard drives have a finite number of spins in them. I use use my external HDs for Data backup and storing large movie files, and they're only on when they need to be. Just don't forget to eject them first or you'll be in a world of hurt.

 

[amemoryoncelost]

I'll agree with the other posted. Mine goes off when my computer goes off for the night and is only on when I'm actually using it. Can't hurt...

 

[e²Studios]

I have a 160GB and a 250GB external drive and i never turn them off. I never turn my computers off either though. I believe there is a study that proved that it didn't make a difference in the life of the computer if you kept it on 24/7 (google around for it). Another option would be to go in to your energy saver settings and click on the "put hard disk(s) to sleep when possible" check box, this would for all intensive purposes be the same as turning it off as it stops the disk from spinning.

As far as the spinning life, most Hard Drives have MTBF of 1 million hours or more, thats a long time...

Ed

 

[agentphish]

yeah turn it off. for sure.

 

[bursty]

I have an external drive hooked up to my PB which acts as a media server to my MacMini and I never turn it off. I doubt you would ever run into problems leaving it on, so which ever you prefer.