External Hard Drive

[PC User]

I have a 500GB Seagate Hard Drive which I connect via USB 2.0 for back up

It better to disconnect if after use or leave li connected all the time ?

[arthurleung]

My personal experience had been to best ave the harddrive connected to the computer but switch off power supply. Or just leave it on, since FreeAgent drives will automatically power down when inactive.

Main worry for disconnecting the harddrive is that capacitance discharge from the harddrive's USB port could kill usb port / motherboard / power supply.

If you disconnect the harddrive but leave the harddrive's power supply on, it will damage the transformer.

[peterb]

My personal experience had been to best ave the harddrive connected to the computer but switch off power supply. Or just leave it on, since FreeAgent drives will automatically power down when inactive.

Agreed - there is no reason specifically to disconnect it

Main worry for disconnecting the harddrive is that capacitance discharge from the harddrive's USB port could kill usb port / motherboard / power supply.

Unlikely - USB is designed to be hot plugged/unplugged - the design of the plug is specifically for that - USB sticks, cameras, etc can all be hot unplugged - a hard drive is no different.

If you disconnect the harddrive but leave the harddrive's power supply on, it will damage the transformer.

Unlikely - if the drive is still powered on, the power supply (usually a small switched mode device) is still supplying load - but even if unloaded, it won't be damaged.

[PC User]

OMG I'm more confused now

are you saying leave it connected (ie don't use "safely remove Hardware and don't pull the USB afterwards) and switch off the plug at the wall?

sorry

[s3ds]

i do try to use safely remove hardware

if you go proterties/hardware/policies ( xp ) if "optimize for quick removal" is checked you can just unplug if "optimise for performance" is checked you must use safley remove hardware

i do leave the usb in (some times) but power it down as external drives can get hot and heat kills