Good, Switchable, Lighted USB Hub: I backup my files to two external drives. I used to have to plug each one into a USB hub when I wanted to backup, but I've found a better way. I use...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I backup my files to two external drives. I used to have to plug each one into a USB hub when I wanted to backup, but I've found a better way. I use the hub linked below. I keep the drives plugged in all the time, but they are not activated. The hub has lighted push buttons, so I can turn them on, do the backups, and turn them off. The lights remind me to turn them off. I've been using this hub for several months, and it's been working fine.

http://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00JX1ZS5O?colid=1K6S0U4KGY5NH&coliid=I22Q9IU3Y0TZG5&psc=1&ref_=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_ttl

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

jerryc41 wrote:

I backup my files to two external drives. I used ... (show quote)

Excellent information.
--Bob

lightcatcher Loc: Farmington, NM (4 corners)

Great idea thanks for the link. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

jerryc41 wrote:

I backup my files to two external drives. I used ... (show quote)

Question: On a Windows computer is there any possibility that by switching the drives off and on in different orders will cause drive letters to change for the externals?

On a Mac that will not happen, but I can see it happening on a Winblows box and really screw some people up ;)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Dngallagher wrote:

Question: On a Windows computer is there any possibility that by switching the drives off and on in different orders will cause drive letters to change for the externals?

On a Mac that will not happen, but I can see it happening on a Winblows box and really screw some people up ;)

One drive always comes up as K, and the other one always comes up as G. They did this before I got the USB hub. I always had to change the letter of one and sometimes both because SyncBack is set to backup the K drive. No, there is no way to permanently assign a letter to a drive.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

jerryc41 wrote:

One drive always comes up as K, and the other one always comes up as G. They did this before I got the USB hub. I always had to change the letter of one and sometimes both because SyncBack is set to backup the K drive. No, there is no way to permanently assign a letter to a drive.

Exactly the point - turn them off or disconnect and on power up or reconnect they may be different drive letters.

Some windows users will have terrible terrible problems with that fact ;)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Dngallagher wrote:

Exactly the point - turn them off or disconnect and on power up or reconnect they may be different drive letters.

Some windows users will have terrible terrible problems with that fact ;)

For some reason, one drive (My Book) is almost always K. Using this hub hasn't changed the messed up lettering, but it saves me the trouble of plugging and unplugging the wires. It's too bad you can't permanently name a Windows drive, but you can't. I have SyncBack setup to backup folders on D to the external K, regardless which drive is plugged in. I can't have two K drives, so I always have to change the letter. The GoFlex drive always shows up as G.

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Nice idea

Rathyatra Loc: Southport, United Kingdom

jerryc41 wrote:

I backup my files to two external drives. I used ... (show quote)

Thanks for the tip Jerry - just ordered one on Amazon - after losing all of my data and backup failed I now have 2 external drives and swap them every few days - this device will make it much easier
Cheers
Bill

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

I've been using these for a while, they are very good and I have never had a problem with the two I have.

stan440us Loc: Sequim, WA

Thanks for the tip. I just ordered the multi hub, cables, and 3tb external. The reason I jumped on this is because I have been saving my photos on my iPad, and now I'm locked up. Anybody know how to transfer and set up files from my iPad to the external when I get it?

Toby

jerryc41 wrote:

I backup my files to two external drives. I used ... (show quote)

I have the same BU situation as you. I have a 3 port USB3 now but switched lighted ports would be great so that I don't have to unplug them to deactivate the HD. Thanks for posting link, just ordered one.

Floyd Loc: Misplaced Texan in Florence, Alabama

jerryc41 wrote:

I backup my files to two external drives. I used ... (show quote)

Jerry
Hope you didn't pay the price attached to the ad in the above site. Adorama has the exact same thing for $13 and B&H has one without a power switch for $7.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Floyd wrote:

Jerry
Hope you didn't pay the price attached to the ad in the above site. Adorama has the exact same thing for $13 and B&H has one without a power switch for $7.

Amazon has it now for $12.99, and that's what I paid.

papakatz45 Loc: South Florida-West Palm Beach

Dngallagher wrote:

Question: On a Windows computer is there any possibility that by switching the drives off and on in different orders will cause drive letters to change for the externals?

On a Mac that will not happen, but I can see it happening on a Winblows box and really screw some people up ;)

I am running Windows 7. I have two USB drives I use for backup. With each drive connected I right clicked and renamed each drive " Backup Drive 1" and "Backup Drive 2". I can disconnect the drives and then plug them in different USP ports and they still have the same drive letter and the new name I gave them. Been doing this for 6 months and all is well. No confusion as to which drive I am using. The drives are not reassigned different drive letters by Windows each time I reconnect. Just my experience.