Being anal about backups and having issue after issue with Win 10, I need a way to physically disconnect/reconnect an internal backup hard drive with out cracking open the case and unplugging it. All of my hard drives are ssd.
Ron
You could try turning it into a virtual hard drive, but why not just leave it on and running?
Open Admin Command Prompt > Type the following commands > The question mark ? is the disk you want to bring offline:
diskpart
list disk
select disk ?
offline disk
When you want online again > Same procedure:
online disk
And you can automate the diskpart command by putting them in a text file and then running diskpart like so:
diskpart /s offline.txt
Then you could do the same to turn it back on:
diskpart /s online.txt
This can be done by going into the BIOS and disabling the SATA ports the drives are on. This eliminates the need to physically remove them. Have done it a few times without issue. Just remember to re-enable the ports once done :)
BTW all my drives are SSD as well (4 total).
Good luck.
Edit: HippsieGypsie's suggestion works too. And is easier than my BIOS method.
why not just leave it on and running
Do not want to take any chances of corruption or anything happening to the backup as it is perfectly setup as I want. Given the progress of various ransom ware, viruses, and windows 10 crashes, I want to isolate this drive as much as possible. Currently, I open the case and disconnect the power cable. The only time it is connected is when I have to restore the primary back to my original setup which is on an average of 6 to 8 times a month. When the backup drive is connected, my internet is disconnected for even further protection. I do a lot of experimenting for some clients which can and does crash the primary drive on occasion. Once I am done with an experiment, I like to erase the primary and restore it with the clean backup. Over the years I have found this to be the best way to keep the system as clean as possible. Basically, I guess I am looking for a better way to physically disconnecting the power to the drive which will prevent any access to the backup.
:And you can automate the diskpart command by putting them in a text file and then running diskpart like so
Diskpart is not a secure disconnect as the drive is still listed in the lower half of disk management as offline and can be changed back to online by right clicking the offline drive listed in the left column of the lower half of disk management and selecting online.
My bios only gives me the option to disable all sata ports. I cannot individually disable one of them.This can be done by going into the BIOS and disabling the SATA ports the drives are on
There are only 2 ways to do what you want.....hardware and software. The software way has been explained abundantly. The other way is hardware where you physically disconnect the drive.
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