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View Full Version : Turn off secondary hard drive...

JosephLeo
11-17-2009, 09:02 PM
Hey guys, I have a bit of a situation on my hands.

I just realized that my computer setup is less than perfect. Originally my plan was to have two 2.5" hard drives that go into hot-swappable bays. Each one with the systems OS installed. Drive 1 is my leisure and gaming hard drive (80GB SSD) and Drive 2 is my Workbench hard drive.

Now, those drives are not the problem. My main problem is the storage drives on the inside of the case. Is there a way to turn off these hard drives via switch somehow? Because when I plug my workbench hard drive in, the additional storage drives still show up and I plug in infected drives when it's in workbench mode which is bad...very bad because I can wind up infecting my primary system.

In fact, the GHOST image of my Workbench (reimaged once every two days) is stored ON the storage drives...so then, is there a way I can either shut them down with a phsyical switch without opening the case everytime- or even a way that I can hide them from my Workbench OS's (Windows XP and Linux) without having ANY access to them?

Thanks a lot guys- I would hate to have to buy a second computer just for a bench...
i.t-works
11-18-2009, 04:14 AM
You can try the sata switch avaliable here (http://www.thesataswitch.com/). It looks a little complicated to make, but it suits your needs. The author also sells preassembled switches for around $35
topshelfpc
11-18-2009, 06:01 AM
You can try the sata switch avaliable here (http://www.thesataswitch.com/). It looks a little complicated to make, but it suits your needs. The author also sells preassembled switches for around $35

Wow, that guy should patent that if he came up with the idea first. He has a niche market there.
OnSiteSolutions
11-18-2009, 03:11 PM
You only need to switch the power to the drive. Mount a toggle switch or switches outside the case and wire it up.
OnSiteSolutions
11-18-2009, 03:13 PM
Eh, I missed the link above, perfect explanation and soloution.
JosephLeo
11-18-2009, 04:18 PM
Nice find, thanks! I don't exactly trust this guy though, but some googling made me find a couple other things under "SATA Switch" thanks a lot i.t-Works, +1 Rep.
Tweak
11-19-2009, 03:13 AM
These come pre-made with a key for a more secure switching option as well.
sys-eng
11-22-2009, 08:07 PM
Some BIOS versions allow closing certain storage ports. That may be more trouble than you want to go through though.
hondablaster
11-22-2009, 09:42 PM
Installing a toggle switch on the 12v (yellow) and 5v (red) wow that almost feels like common sense. Its one of those things that is so easy once its brought to attention. LOL

Take a dremil tool and mount the switches externally. On a steel door. WOW. LOL

I have a use for this as well. Great post.