PCA Forums

Hi guys.
I have two HD's, one an 80g WD (w/xp home) and a small 20g Maxor that has Win 98 on it and bootable if I tell Bios to boot from it.. Its only kept around because I have an old parallel scanner and an old drawing program that xp wants nothing to to with. OLD stuff.. 3.1 days..
This has worked just fine considering I HARDLY ever need to boot 98. But when I need to its works well and does the job.
What I'm woundering is, is there anyway within XP to spin it down? The bearings are failing and the whine is getting unbearable.
I've disabled it in device manager and it logically doesn't show, but it pysically spins. I thought after a reboot, xp would look at a disabled device and turn it off, but no go. (and yes I tried turn off drives in power managment after 3 min, but both go down, don't want that)
I,m douting theres a way without pulling the power to it which works but, ya know the hassel of it.. heh.
Its really no biggie to do as above but thought I'd ask.

I was going to sugjest some sort of switch with in the power line

I think that would be the easiest


it all depends on how often you boot into 98

if it is once in a blue moon I would just pull the power

I have tried that in the past also with no good solution.

Greg

buy one of those 10$ removable hard drive trays- when you turn the key to unlock- it powers it down-

simple and doesnt look hillbilly rigged

Ya know what's funny? I thought of that seconds after I posted Dopey... Just im not sure if I would have to kill the 5 and the 12v with a double poll switch or one. Kill the 12 and I have a live drive with a non spinning platter. Kill the 5 and she spins up but not seen.. Heh.
It really is once in a blue moon I need 98 so I think I'lll just pull the power, unless I do what Goat suggested.
Thanks too Geg.. I can't find a way either..

OOPS! Pull the data cable TOO!

While it worked the first time just pulling the power molex it didn't work the second time.. Weird. Gave it a few chances but would lock in Bois OR the beggining of XP Spash screen. Plugged the molex back in and bios was happy and booted.. Then unnplugged both the power and ribbon and all is good.
Must have finicky bios, dunno... funny how it worked ealyier just pulling the power molex..

But all is good.. just letting ya know. PS. my ears are at peace..