External USB Drive Power On and Off Through Keyboard


  1. Posts : 331
    windows 10
       #1

    External USB Drive Power On and Off Through Keyboard


    I am looking for ways to easily turn on and turn off the power to my external hard drives through a shortcut or by some other simple mechanism.

    I have found lots of diagnostic tools, but nothing that would work like a light switch.

    The drives are both Seagate.

    Thanks for any thoughts.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 31,459
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #2

    mikeincousa said:
    I am looking for ways to easily turn on and turn off the power to my external hard drives through a shortcut or by some other simple mechanism...
    Why do you want to turn off the power? If you want to spin them down, park the heads and make them inaccessible then the 'safely eject hardware' icon in the taskbar notification area will do that. They will then be to all intents and purposes powered down.
      My Computers


  3. Posts : 430
    Windows 10 Pro
       #3

    I assume you mean mains power to the USB drive? If the caddy doesn't have a mains power switch, you can purchase a switched multi outlet power bar and plug your drives into the power bar. I don't think it comes any easier than what you have.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 31,459
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #4

    Stitch194 said:
    ...you can purchase a switched multi outlet power bar and plug your drives into the power bar...
    Did you know there is such a thing as a usb controlled power strip?

    https://www.wired.com/2010/07/usb-po...trolled-by-pc/
      My Computers


  5. Posts : 331
    windows 10
    Thread Starter
       #5

    My quest started with not being able to remove a USB drive from the file tree. I later figured out how to disconnect it via the device manager, But doing that is a multiple step process. Something that works like a light switch would be easier.

    First responding to..
    ...
    Why do you want to turn off the power? If you want to spin them down, park the heads and make them inaccessible then the 'safely eject hardware' icon in the taskbar notification area will do that. They will then be to all intents and purposes powered down.

    I do know not know how to do this. Can you point me to a tutorial? I


    have not been able to find a definition of "spinning up" or "spinning down." Could you direct me to one or explain what is meant by this term?


    Next regarding the USB strip suggestion
    I had no idea such a device existed. Thanks for mentioning it. It could come in handy.

    I have not been able to readily find one on-line. Most of what turns up are hubs and AC strips.

    Can you suggest a make and model?

    Thanks for your comments.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 31,459
    10 Home x64 (22H2) (10 Pro on 2nd pc)
       #6

    mikeincousa said:
    ...the 'safely eject hardware' icon in the taskbar notification area will do that....

    I do know not know how to do this. Can you point me to a tutorial?
    The icon is in the notification area of the taskbar (you may need to click the ^ to find it). Click on it and it will list the drive(s) that can be ejected. Click on one to eject it.

    External USB Drive Power On and Off Through Keyboard-safely-remove-hardware.png

    I have not been able to find a definition of "spinning up" or "spinning down." Could you direct me to one or explain what is meant by this term?
    I just mean shutting down the drive and putting it in a low power standby mode. To reconnect the drive you would have to restart the PC or, if you want to reconnect the drive without shutting down, physically unplug the usb cable from the PC then plug it back in.
      My Computers


 

  Related Discussions
Our Sites
Site Links
About Us
Windows 10 Forums is an independent web site and has not been authorized, sponsored, or otherwise approved by Microsoft Corporation. "Windows 10" and related materials are trademarks of Microsoft Corp.

© Designer Media Ltd
All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:49.
Find Us




Windows 10 Forums