multi boot - Is installing multiple OS in External Hard Drive harmful?

07
2014-07
  • tintinmj

    I have installed Ubuntu,Lubuntu and Linux Mint in my 2TB External Hard Drive. All are working fine, but seems like external is heating up very fast(also may not be cause I didn't see how much it is heating before installing multiple OSes).

    So is installing multiple OSes in External Hard Disk harmful for HDD? I'm talking about only the hardware problem may arise or data corruption.

    • Answers
  • adampski

    All depends on the plastic housing surrounding the external hard disk. If there's sufficient ventilation then you shouldn't experience a shortened life, though manufacturers do make housing pretty compact because external hard drives aren't intended to run for a constant period of time like an internal OS hard disk would.


    • Related Question

    windows xp - External hard drive not connecting USB
  • DeadHead

    I recently bought a Western Digital 1 TB Black hard disk drive (HDD). Upon realizing that I didn't have that extra SATA cable lying around, I put it in my external USB case until I could buy a SATA cable.

    The problem is that Windows XP does not always recognize the HDD. Sometimes it connects perfectly fine, sometimes it will only be recognized as a USB device which can't be used, and other times, it is recognized, but the read/write light on the case is constantly on, and it doesn't mount properly.

    I haven't been able to notice any kind of pattern either, and have also tried multiple USB ports.

    What could be going on here? What should I check?


    • Related Answers
  • splattne

    Here is a comprehensive list of things you could try:

    Troubleshoot: Windows Won't Recognize USB Hard Drive / Fix Unassigned Drive Letter

    I personally had problems with some USB controllers on certain machines which didn't provide enough juice to power the disk. There a special cables with two USB connectors which work on such machines.