(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

[martinoh.livejournal.com]

If it's not impolite to ask, why would you want this sort of flexibility for a device that is from your description, semi-permanently installed?

I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't want to do this, it's just that having a clearer idea of what the problem you're experiencing is (i.e. why having the drive connected is a nuisance), it might be easier to suggest a good solution.

[dakegra.livejournal.com]

When I set up the new 'puter I've now got enough USB ports to leave the external drive connected. It's got my music/photos on so needs to be accessed occasionally but not always, and not when I'm on an all-day COD4 session. I put the drive on a set of drawers under the desk so it's out of the way, forgetting that it's a sod to turn off when you're not using it, and I don't wnt to have to unplug/replug like I used to when it was connected to the laptop.

I *should* just copy the music/photos to the secondary drive inside the computer and unplug the external drive, but I use it as a backup too, so when I load up photos, I copy them between internal and external drives.

which all makes sense to *me* if no-one else!