(no subject)

[dakegra]

I know I could just google this, but I like talking to you guys about tech stuff.

situation is this: I have an external HD plugged into my new 'puter. When I power up the puter, the HD comes on. For reasons best known to me, the external drive is mounted under the desk.

Is there such a thing as a switched USB cable, so I can effectively disconnect the USB lead to the external drive, without reaching around the back of the 'puter and pulling the plug?

Or a software alternative? Something with button to connect/disconnect a drive?

Comments

[stimpy-lfs.livejournal.com]

Use the "safely remove hardware" process by clicking on the icon in the system tray to disconnect the external HDD. You should use this anyway to avoid corrupting the sectors on a HDD before removing it.

[dakegra.livejournal.com]

good idea - is there a way of getting windows *not* to fire up a USB HD on startup though? Ideally I'd like something which would let me connect it via software/switch as well as disconnect...

[martinoh.livejournal.com]

Adding it back after disconnection is less straightforward though, since he's not actually going to re-plug the drive each time.