[Ham-Computers] Hard drive "parking"

[Ron Youvan]

>    I have a second hard drive in my system used as storage and backup. 
> I'm not crazy about having this drive spinning constantly, when it is 
> used for only a short time each day or two. I recall in the "old days" 
> that there was a DOS command that allowed "parking" a drive either when 
> not in use or for transporting. Is there a simple way to turn a drive 
> "off" until it's needed, or is this even a good idea these days?

   You may be able to select that drive in your CMOS setup to
be powered down after [NN] minutes of not being used.
Some OS's also allow this.

   The modern way is to buy an external drive case with a USB or
fire wire interface put it in it then eject the "media, and power
it down when you are through with it.  (about $35 each)
-- 
     from Ron in Florida, in the heart of oppressive property TAXES
                   (It's not the millage, it's the valuation!)