• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Getting a Linux HD to stop spinning in XP Pro

S

SteelCityFan

Senior member


I have an old 20GB hard drive with Linux on it, and a new WD drive with Windows XP on it. I use LiLo to switch between the two. The older drive creates a good bit of noise in my otherwise quiet computer. I would love to be able to totally shut that drive off while working in Windows. I tried to disable it in the Device Manager, but I did not notice a difference. Did this stop this drive from spinning completely?

Is there a way I can do this? Or check to see if the drive is spinning?
 
I think the drive automatically starts spinning when your computer starts up. There is no way to turn off the power to a certain peripheral that is plugged into the power supply. The only way you could do it is physically unplugging the drive from the power supply. Maybe there is a switch available to turn off the power to the drive, but I haven't heard of anything like that. I'm wondering why the drive makes so much noise? How old is it? 😀 Maybe its time for a new drive 😀
 
I think it is 2.5 years old. If I remember right, I bought it in April of 2000. It is not that loud, but enough to be annoying since I recently went to the WD800JB, and compared to that this thing is loud. My overall PC is now quieter as well since I went to all panaflo fans. I guess the old fans etc drowned out the noise before. It's a high pitched metallic noise. FYI, it is an IBM 34GXP if I recall correctly.

I would put linux on the other drive with XP, but that drive is filling fast. Unplugging it would not be much of a hassle, but it is slaved to the WD drive and going from Master single to Master with slave present requires a jumper change as well.

$63 will buy me a 5400RPM 30GB drive from Maxtor. Maybe I'll get one of those to use for Linux... I really want to jump into the Linux OS.
 
Originally posted by: SteelCityFan
I think it is 2.5 years old. If I remember right, I bought it in April of 2000. It is not that loud, but enough to be annoying since I recently went to the WD800JB, and compared to that this thing is loud. My overall PC is now quieter as well since I went to all panaflo fans. I guess the old fans etc drowned out the noise before. It's a high pitched metallic noise. FYI, it is an IBM 34GXP if I recall correctly.

I would put linux on the other drive with XP, but that drive is filling fast. Unplugging it would not be much of a hassle, but it is slaved to the WD drive and going from Master single to Master with slave present requires a jumper change as well.

$63 will buy me a 5400RPM 30GB drive from Maxtor. Maybe I'll get one of those to use for Linux... I really want to jump into the Linux OS.
Click to expand...

(Bold added by me.)

Simple solution, install Linux on the WD drive and forget Windows. Kill two birds with one stone.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top