500 GB Big Disk external - leave ON or turn OFF?

[kwajaln]

HI!

I jut got my first external hard drive (LaCie D2 Big Disk Extreme 500GB) and am not sure how it should be used. By that I mean should it be left on like our Apple computers or turned off when not in use? Yeah, probably a "dumb" question for those of you with external experience, but I really don't know . . . thanks in advance!!

 

[Laser47]

Most external HD's ive used spin the hard drive down when it isint being used, just like in osx. If thats the case with your drive then I dont see any reason not to power down the drive.

 

[Danksi]

I usually turn my external drive off when not in use, but that's to save power more than anything. I've left it on for a day or so, converting video files - didn't seem to mind.

 

[~Shard~]

Turning the drive off will not harm it and will save power, but those drives usually run pretty smart when they are idle. So, there is no really advantage or disadvantage as I see it, so do as you like!

 

[zim]

I don't have the big disk but I do have the 2 drives from the D2 series, I am assuming you are referring to the Lacie Big Disk Hard drives. I leave mine plugged in all the time, they are very smart in the sense that they know when to power down leaving any power consumption to the LED light.

 

[Warbrain]

I left my 120 GB hard drive on for days on end and because it has an old fan with ball bearings, it now makes an awful noise since the bearings are stuck. I've done everything to make them move, but they refuse to. Just a heads up in case your fan uses bearings.

 

[Macmaniac]

I usually turn my 160gb Lacie external drive off when I am done with it. It makes very little noise, but I can hear it so that bothers me. Its a FW 800 drive so turning it on is not a big problem.

 

[kwajaln]

Thanks for the replies, all! I have now started turning my external off when not in use. And Zim, yes, it's a LaCie Big Disk. Love it so far!!