External HDD running 24/7?

[extreme4377]

Quick question for those of you whom have external hdd's. I use mine to store my music and pictures and such and when Im making a video, the captured video footage is stored on my external drive. I have the OS and most of my apps on my main internal drive, the 74GB raptor. My question is, do you guys just use your external drive for backing up data or do you leave it on 24/7 or both? TIA

 

[Vertigo Acid]

When I used to have an external HD, I used it solely for backup purposes, turned it on before I went to bed and shut it off in the morning. But as long as it has adaqute airflow, I don't see any reason why not?

 

[magnetik]

I leave mine on 24/7. I figure it's better to leave it on all the time then to turn it on and off all the time. Just my opinion tho.