Is it safe to leave a USB connected Hard Drive connected to my Desktop 24/7?

Question

I just purchased a 320 GB Seagate hard drive which connects via USB to my new computer, I was able to transfer all the files I needed from my old computer onto the Seagate. Can I simply leave it plugged in to the power outlet and computer via USB 24/7 or is it better to only plug it in when needed??

Answer 1

No, this can be very dangerous. USB drives can overheat and can pose a risk of your computer spontaneously catching on fire. You should unplug the drive as quickly as possible after using it at all times.

Answer 2

Yes, it can. Now I am using an IDE hard drive connected to USB, but you must a system consists of a casing and an IDE hard drive inside, a power supply from your home electricity (your country 110 v), to 12 v in hard drive and a USB cable. Sorry I can not tell where to buy in your country (may be computer parts dealer), because I live in Indonesia, here we easily find at a computer' shop

Answer 3

Leave it plugged in. Most only power up when the USB senses the computer is active. It may have a switch that controls the auto power on. Why couldn't you transfer all the files? Did you Zip anything?

Answer 4

Dal,



As with all things there are varied levels of safe:



(1) Unless the drive is operating outside of the manufacturer's specified temperature/operating/shock range, leaving the drive on 24/7, having it in constant use, does not diminish its longevity (as measured against drives that are turned off/on). <1>



(2) Having said that, there are other consideratiions that come with any other electrical device: component failure leading to fire*, wasted electricity, etc.



(3) In some situations, it might be possible to catch a drive "going bad," and get data off of it before that happens. But only if you're around, know what to look for, and have a specific sort of failure.



Cheers,

Sabot



(highly improbable, while laptop batteries do catch fire on extremely rare occasions, I could not find anything in IT literature to suggest that HDDs have ever caught fire).

Answer 5

It is safe to leave the drive connected 24/7. But it is not good if you leave your computer turned on 24/7.

Answer 6

KEEP IT PLUGGED IN! it will slim the chances of formatting the hard drive and it is better plus when/IF you need to unplug it don't just yank it out you have to use the "safely unplug device" option on your computer or turn off ur computer and unplug it.

Answer 7

You dont want to plug it in and out alot, that isnt good for it but at the same time if your not going not going to use it for more then a day then just turn it off, there should be a on/off switch on it. could possible make it last longer.

Answer 8

Do you shut down your PC when you go to sleep? Or do you keep it on 24/7?



Cuz if you do shut it down, you'll be giving the drive you should bought some time to rest, which should be enough.

Answer 9

i would say if its powered by the power outlet its fine to leave it pluged in to the usb but how ever just rember to turn off the dovice when your finished with it so it dont over heat or it dont get bad sectors

Answer 10

Yes, it's safe. I have 300Gb connected 24x7 to my computer. Just be aware that the drive is sensitive to movement. Put it someplace where it won't get bumped or knocked around.

Answer 11

you can leave it on 24/7

Answer 12

it's up to you, if your computer has a good firewall and has an anti virus I don't think you have to worry, although if you think it's safer to unplug the hard drive because you have important information then do it, OK

Answer 13

I don't see any reason not to. Just like an internal hard drive. And you'll have instant access to it.

Answer 14

They're designed to be left plugged in.

Answer 15

Should be fine, I have been doing the same thing with no problems

Answer 16

it should be fine as long its an external hard disk and not an hdd player...

Answer 17

should be alrite i did the same