If you have ever wondered how to disconnect a hard drive without turning off the PC? – Easy and fast, we recommend you read carefully the following guide where you will learn everything about disconnecting hard drives without cutting the power supply.
How to disconnect a hard drive without turning off the PC? – Fast and easy
Sometimes disconnecting a hard drive when the computer is still on can be very convenient. This is something especially useful for all those who manage a server, since it is common for it to be necessary to change a component without completely shutting down the machine.
The truth is that there are various technologies and methods to achieve this function. One of the best known is hot swapping. This is a feature that has been built into many components for several years now.
Similarly, by purchasing various components, it is possible to disconnect the hard drives even more safely, but this would entail an extra expense.
For the average user, it’s best to always shut down your computer before unplugging or changing a hard drive. Therefore, there is no safer option since the so-called hot swapping contemplates some risks that could lead to the total loss of the unit or another component of the computer. In such circumstances it would be impossible to recover hard drive files on unbootable PC.
Make the Hot Swapping to disconnect a hard drive without shutting down the PC
When we refer to hot swapping, we are talking about the action of disconnecting components from a computer system without the need to turn it off, restart it or cut off the power supply. Clearly, this only relates to components that can offer this function, the hard drive being one of them.
On the other hand, components such as the central processing unit (CPU) or RAM memories cannot be disconnected while the computer is in use. For this reason, if you want to install or change RAM memory modules in your PC, you must first disconnect the power supply.
The hot swapping function can be especially useful if you have a server, as hard drives and other components can be easily changed this way.
Some perfect examples of this technology are USB devices, which can be connected and disconnected at any time without this representing any type of risk. Still, for other components, functionality is often not built in at this level.
For this reason, you should properly inform yourself if your component (such as the hard drive or motherboard) has this functionality. Otherwise, you could irreversibly damage the components.
How is hot swapping activated?
Once you have verified that your computer and all its components are capable of using the hot swapping function, you will surely wonder about the process to activate the option. The truth is that this can be done easily using the BIOS configuration options. Remember to make a backup of the BIOS to avoid greater evils.
This differs on every computer and motherboard, however, if the option is available, it is in most circumstances within the SATA device configuration options. In turn, keep in mind that it often has a different name, such as “Hot Plug”.
Stand-alone component or controller
One of the safest options with which we can easily disconnect a hard drive without turning off the computer is by using a unit or case designed for this purpose. Tool that you can find on different websites such as Amazon or eBay.
A hard drive enclosure or box with hot swapping compatibility is the ideal option to disconnect our hard drives when the computer is still on. In fact, it is the option we recommend, as it is much more secure than other options.
As a negative aspect, it is fair to point out that using a unit with these characteristics will entail an extra expense, but it is well worth it understanding that we completely eliminate certain risks that are better to avoid.
