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Commonly, external hard drives will acquire power from the computer it is connected to. It is possible, though, to connect external hard drives to an outlet and permanently to the computer, replacing the previous hard drive, though I highly do not recommend such.

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Q: Does an external hard drive require constant power?
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Related questions

What is the difference between an external USB 2.0 hard disk that needs a power supply and one that does not require a power supply?

A USB hard disks that does not require a power supply is powered by your computer via the USB connection. Where as others require an external power supply because of the amount of power they require. It is usually a "wall wart" type that plugs in to your wall socket with a lead that plugs in to the disk drive.


Can the Sony ux be connected to an external hard drive?

The Sony VAIO UX has a single USB port, so yes, you can. However, some external hard drives require more power than others. The USB port on the UX may or may not be enough to power the drive, depending upon the drive model. You may need an external power source to supplement the power coming from the USB port.


Why are power cables needed in some external hard drives?

Because the moving parts inside a hard drive require power. Bigger hard drives require more power, so a large hard drive may need more power. USB external harddrives get their power from the computer via the USB ports, that is why some USB hard drive have 2 USB cables; both provide power to the drive and one transfers the data. This many not be enough for large hard drives so they need extenal power. (Just think, they could probably work off 4 or 5 USB ports, but most people don't have that many free!)


Is axial flow gas turbine compressor is self propelled or some external power is provided?

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Why are rocks better than computers?

They don't require an external power source.


What is internal device?

That is a device that is inside the computer. An internal hard drive, for instance, is physically mounted inside the computer. It is not made to be used outside the computer, though there are kits to convert internal hard drives into external drives. There are external storage devices that are made to plug into a USB port. External devices either require their own power supply, or they get power from a USB socket. Internal devices get their power from the power supply which is already in the computer.


What are the different external parts of a CPU?

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What is a external drive?

An external drive is one that is not in -side the computer- It is a Disk (hard) drive or can also be a CD drive which is connected by a cable to the computer. The connection is usually by SCSI, USB, or SATA(eSATA) connection. An external drive allows you to add a drive to the computer you are using - to expand storage or add a CD drive without actually having to open the computer to add another one. An external drive also allows you to move the drive from computer to computer, Portably. The external drive usually has it's own power supply and case.


How to Install an External Laptop Drive?

Adding additional hardware and accessories to a laptop is inexpensive offering easy storage solutions to any laptop. Installing an external hard drive will offer extra space and easy access. Follow these steps to assist you when installing an external hard drive to your laptop. ▪ Step 1: Instantly install the external drive to a laptop. Most laptops come with USB ports which offer plug-and-play instant installing of the new equipment. Consider using a FireWire port if your laptop has one available, this will free up a USB port. FireWire ports offer comparable transfer rates as USB ports. ▪ Step 2: Check the manual. The external drive manufacturer might require installation of software prior to installing the actual external hard drive equipment. Install the software before connecting the external drive to the port. ▪ Step 3: Check the device driver. The external drive manual will indicate what time of driver needs to be used. Newer versions of Windows should recognize the driver immediately, prompting to install it if your laptop does not already have it. If the driver isn’t automatically recognizable, keep the driver software CD’s available. You can also download drivers off a manufacturer company website. ▪ Step 4: Connect your power supply. Some external drives require their own power supply. Plug the cord into the power supply prior to turning on the external drive or plugging the drive into a port. ▪ Step 5: Troubleshoot the external laptop drive. Usually installing an external drive is really easy and straightforward. In the event that windows will not detect your new external drive, wait a few minutes to see if it eventually detects it. If windows still does not detect the external drive, check all connections and make sure the power button is turned on the external drive. New hardware installation often requires the software to be installed prior to connecting the device to your laptop; make sure you have installed the external hard drive in this sequence. Reference the manual if you continue to have problems, usually the problem is easily rectified once the installer realizes which step was missed. Installing external accessories or hardware is extremely easy. Referencing the external hardware manual, installing the correct software and driver will have you using your extra space in no time.


What drive uses a type of memory that requires no power to maintain the data?

The HDD, or hard disc drive is one example of a drive that does not require power to hold its stored data.


What are the advantages of having a firewire external hard drive?

A fire wire external hard drive can help your computer to run very quickly since the power from within is very strong. The external hard drive always allows easy access to any problems and allows tons of data to be stored.


Do you need to hook up a power cable if your using SATA drive?

Yes; power is not supplied by the data cable. An exception might be a small-form-factor, external, USB-connected drive, as the USB port can power low-power devices. If an external USB hub is expected to power external devices, it's best if the hub itself is powered, otherwise available power is split among too many devices, potentially leaving something underpowered.