Turning off Internal HDD via script

azngamer on 05/08/2020 - 10:52

Hi ozbargain,

I built a PC recently and it's fitted with a SSD drive. I've stopped using HDD for quite a while now with the exception of external hard drives and PS4.

I do not like the sound of a running hard disk, it's a pretty strong dislike so please no "just ignore it" comments. It's on the level of someone chewing with their mouth open for me but I know I am a minority in this.

There is a sale on the 10TB HDD and I want to shulk it and place it into my new build for data storage. Sort of treating it like an external hard drive without the hassle of connecting to a power supply.

Why not SSD? It's way too expensive to buy 10TB of SSD. I have pictures I want to back up (I have raw images) and quite a other things I wish to keep long term. I also recently got married and want to have a drive to backup both my missus and my stuff.

My question:

Is there a way to disable the HDD with a quick press of a button? Similar to ejecting an external hard drive. Some sort of script and the same to enable it again?

I've tried googling and it seems like I could disable indexing for the drives and put it into power saving mode but it seems like Windows will randomly access files (some unknown process) regardless from time to time and cause the HDD to power on again. I still can't find a solution to this.

Computing

Comments

  • scrimshaw on 05/08/2020 - 11:04
    +5

    Set BIOS to treat that drive as hot-swappable and you can "safely eject" the hard drive in the system tray.

    • azngamer on 05/08/2020 - 11:13

      I need to check my bios for this feature when I get home from work.

      But is it easy to connect it for use again? Or does it require accessing the bios again?

      • scrimshaw on 05/08/2020 - 11:26
        +2

        Restart operating system and it's connected.

        or find a hot-swap bay upgrade that's compatible with your 5.25" bay

        • smashman42 on 05/08/2020 - 13:17
          +1

          The hot swap bay + bios hot swap setting is probably the most ideal situation, cause it would literally be an internal drive that acts external like the OP wants, and it is unplug/replug to get it back on rather than a reboot.

          Just the cost of the bay being the only down side, but that $50 odd has to be worth solving all the problems, yeah? Can always try without the bay and needing to reboot and see how annoying that is I guess?

          OP you're aware of the 3.3v pin thing with shucked drives I assume? (WD for sure, not sure about Seagate ones) It ain't hard to deal with anyway

  • ssquid on 05/08/2020 - 11:06
    +1

    Leave it in the external drive, get a decent router with USB storage support, place router and HDD away from PC where you can't hear it.

    • azngamer on 05/08/2020 - 11:16

      I love out of the box thinking but I do not want to spend more money on this. I have a cheap router that came with my ISP and that's good enough for me. I've considered setting up a NAS but again, it's additional cost.

      Side note, I showed my missus the router that looks like a yugioh stadium. She laughed and said nope, never in our house!

      • ssquid on 05/08/2020 - 11:21

        Pfft they're $30 on eBay if you're willing to accept USB2 speeds, that's barely anything compared to the cost of the HDD.

        • azngamer on 05/08/2020 - 11:37

          Solution I am looking for it full control over it, to power it on and off on command and without adding more equipment around the house. The reason the shulking and placing it in the pc is because it is out of sight, doesn't take up real estate, doesn't involve looking for cables and power supply and crawling under the table. Doesn't involve troubleshooting with NAS or router. Something that works like a portable extenal hard drive but internal.

          I know $30 isn't much but its for a shared PC with my wife. She isn't great with computers and this thing is for helping me with my issue and I do not want to inconvenient her with troubleshooting routers if it's not working.

  • skid on 05/08/2020 - 11:12
    +2

    The 10TB has to be used as a data drive. Do not install programs/games on it, don't save automatic back-ups to it and do not point the temp folder to it. That way, the power saving will kick in and it won't be indexed by Windows.

    The devcon tool is able to disable devices. I haven't disabled a hard drive before so I don't know the consequences.

    Alternatively, set the hard drive sata port to enable hot-plug in the BIOS. Windows will then allow you to "eject" the harddrive. No idea how to re-insert it afterwards though.

    • azngamer on 05/08/2020 - 11:23

      Thanks for the advise on what to store but I would preferably have full control over when it can run and stop. Missus or myself might accidentally install a software on it and I don't want to be troubleshooting why the HDD power on.

      Thanks for pointing me in the direction of devcon. Will. Do some research on it tonight to see if it can help.

      Same as above, I'll need to check the bios hot-plug and see if there is a way to connect it back. Thanks

  • pcolby78 on 05/08/2020 - 11:15
    +1

    What you want to do is un-mount the drive, and re-mount it when you want to use it. I've never tried doing it from the Windows command line (I'm more a Linux person), but apparently it can be done: https://superuser.com/questions/295913/how-to-mount-and-unmo…

    Good luck.

    • azngamer on 05/08/2020 - 11:33

      Thanks! Will look into this

  • XSidd on 05/08/2020 - 11:21
    +1

    Create a batch script and use diskpart

    Here are steps
    https://www.qualitestgroup.com/resources/knowledge-center/ho…

    This is more a XY problem, you are getting storage to store things and backups but reducing efficiency and convenience because double clicking an icon or plugging in an external drive will take the same time/effort.

    The real solution is to get a NAS and put where you can’t hear it and get an ethernet cable long enough.

    • azngamer on 05/08/2020 - 11:33

      Thanks, I'll also look into diskpart. Thanks for pointing me into that direction.

      As for the others, solution I am looking for it full control over it, to power it on and off on command and without adding more equipment around the house. The reason the shulking and placing it in the pc is because it is out of sight, doesn't take up real estate, doesn't involve looking for cables and power supply and crawling under the table. Doesn't involve troubleshooting with NAS or router. Something that works like a portable extenal hard drive but internal

  • psyren89 on 05/08/2020 - 11:22
    +2

    Not sure why this hasn't been mentioned yet, but HDDs will normally spin down after a period of being idle, only spinning back up when accessed or shutting down (for some reason). This time is configurable.

    • azngamer on 05/08/2020 - 11:31
      -1

      Yes, I am aware of this feature as per the post. The issue is unknown processes activating the drive.

      Solution I am looking for it full control over it, to power it on and off on command and without adding more equipment around the house. The reason the shulking and placing it in the pc is because it is out of sight, doesn't take up real estate, doesn't involve looking for cables and power supply and crawling under the table. Doesn't involve troubleshooting with NAS or router. Something that works like a portable extenal hard drive but internal.

      • Zorlin on 05/08/2020 - 12:46

        It's "shucking", not shulking :)

        • azngamer on 05/08/2020 - 13:44

          Hahaha I can't believe I keep spelling it wrong. I always imagine the character from xenoblade chronicles whenever I think of shucking

  • Godric on 05/08/2020 - 11:25

    I been thinking to do this too with my notebook, the toshiba drive is a loud one specifically at night

  • skid on 05/08/2020 - 11:55

    Does your case have rubber vibration dampeners for the hard drive? They help quieten drives: https://www.amazon.com.au/MagiDeal-Screws-Vibration-Replacem…

    • azngamer on 05/08/2020 - 12:22

      No it doesn't. I'll add that to my wishlist and buy it depending on the vibration issue. The sound that irritates me is unfortunately the reading/write and the whirling sound.

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