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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794 |
Is it ok to leave this drive permanently connected?
I can hear it spinning up at PC boot, so it is a mechanical drive, and as I always shut down the PC after use I was wondering if I should only attach it when using BIAB?
I do recall in the old days, and earlier USB drives, that the constant starting and stopping with the OS considerably reduced its (mechanical) life.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 836
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 836 |
We recommend leaving the drive plugged in because when you unplug it then plug it back in the drive may be assigned a different letter. Such as changing from being D to E. If this happens you would need to re-set your folder paths. If you do need to select your paths again, this video tutorial shows the steps: https://youtu.be/zVOOaxsAigw
Best,
Chantelle
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
Journeyman
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OP
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794 |
Thanks Chantelle - 100% au faix with how windows works with drives, and even if it did get re-assigned it's very easy and quick to change it back. While I appreciate your post, it didn't really answer the question though from the drive use aspect  So, to re-phrase, if I leave it plugged in how does it go mechanically with all the stop/starting? Probably really a question about the quality of the hardware more than anything I suppose?? There are times when I do not use BIAB for a week or two, so having it starting, running and stopping every day, sometimes a few times a day (if there are other PC issues or software updating that needs restarts) so, yeah, I feel it is a valid query 
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,475
Veteran
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Veteran
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 27,475 |
I leave mine plugged in. No problem.
I also assigned it a high drive letter (S) so that the drive letter will always be the same to Windows.
BIAB 2025 Win Audiophile. Software: Studio One 7 Pro, Swam horns, Acoustica-7, Notion 6, Song Master Pro, Win 11 Home. Hardware: Intel i9, 32 Gb; Presonus 192 & Faderport 8, Royer 121, Slate VSX, Adam Sub8 & Neumann 120 monitors.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794
Journeyman
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|
OP
Journeyman
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 794 |
I leave mine plugged in. No problem.
I also assigned it a high drive letter (S) so that the drive letter will always be the same to Windows. Thanks Matt If I go that route and leave it in that's what I'll end up doing too.
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Band-in-a-Box for Windows
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Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,992
PG Music Staff
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PG Music Staff
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 2,992 |
If the drive is simply on — fully powered up and spinning, even while it’s not needed — you would be using excess energy that you don't necessarily need to be using, and putting needless wear on the drive bearings. The average lifespan for an external hard drive (any external HD), assuming no physical damage occurs, is around 3-5 years, depending on the make, model and conditions it is stored in. The lifespan of an external HD may be shortened if you have it plugged in all the time and constantly spinning and therefore always drawing power, but normally this isn't an issue in any noticeable way for the vast majority of people. So long as you're taking good care of the drive and remembering to power down your computer when it's not in use, this will keep your external HD in tip top shape for its lifespan. Shutting off your computer when it's not in use will protect your machine and the drive from power surges as well. Taking the normal precautions you do with any of your electronics should be sufficient.
Cheers,
Ember
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Ask sales and support questions about Band-in-a-Box using natural language.
ChatPG's knowledge base includes the full Band-in-a-Box User Manual and sales information from the website.
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