Is it possible?
How?
My situation/system:
An Ubuntu based HTPC with a few HDDs used for storage and shared over the network.
Recently I started using Openelec (XBMC over a very lightweight Linux running from a USB drive).
I'm using Openelec more and more and I'm using Ubuntu and the HDDs (and sharing them over the network) less and less. This means that the system is on for long periods of time with the drives just spinning idly.
My idea would be putting a switch on the power cables for the drives that I would turn on only when I'm using Ubuntu or when I want to share something. All other times they would be off - less noise, heat, power consumption, wear and tear. Also I'm pretty sure the system would be marginally faster.
Questions:
Should I put the switch on the 12V, 5V, ground or a combination of them?
My guess would be two separate switches for 12 and 5 that would be linked (both on or both off)
What happens if I turn them on while the system is running?
What happens if I turn them off while the system is running?
Thanks in advance!
P.S. Openelec has an option for HDDs stand by but that implies that as long as I'm actively using it, they run (even if I'm not using them) so this option is out of the question.
How?
My situation/system:
An Ubuntu based HTPC with a few HDDs used for storage and shared over the network.
Recently I started using Openelec (XBMC over a very lightweight Linux running from a USB drive).
I'm using Openelec more and more and I'm using Ubuntu and the HDDs (and sharing them over the network) less and less. This means that the system is on for long periods of time with the drives just spinning idly.
My idea would be putting a switch on the power cables for the drives that I would turn on only when I'm using Ubuntu or when I want to share something. All other times they would be off - less noise, heat, power consumption, wear and tear. Also I'm pretty sure the system would be marginally faster.
Questions:
Should I put the switch on the 12V, 5V, ground or a combination of them?
My guess would be two separate switches for 12 and 5 that would be linked (both on or both off)
What happens if I turn them on while the system is running?
What happens if I turn them off while the system is running?
Thanks in advance!
P.S. Openelec has an option for HDDs stand by but that implies that as long as I'm actively using it, they run (even if I'm not using them) so this option is out of the question.
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