Skip to main content

Hard Disk Switch


In these times with viruses and other threats from the Internet it would be nice to have reassurance that the PC cannot be infected. That is why this circuit was designed. It makes it possible to install multiple hard disks inside the case of a PC, which are separated in such a way that viruses cannot move from one disk to another. In this case there are three drives installed, one for use of the Internet via ADSL, one for working with email and one for other applications.

If data from the Internet never arrives on the third disk, it is effectively protected against viruses. The solution outlined here has been in satisfactory use for a couple of years. There is an additional benefit: if there are ever any problems with the operation of the computer, then it is very easy to change to another hard disk to check if the problem manifests itself there as well. In this case, fault finding can be made much easier. The circuit operates by only switching over the power supply voltages (5 V and 12 V) of the hard disks. The hard disk is out of service without a power supply. This works without a problem with S-ATA disks.

Circuit diagram:
Hard Disk Switch Circuit Diagram

With IDE disks this only works with modern drives. There may only be a combination of hard disks on the relevant port and no CD-ROM, DVD-drive, CD-burner or something similar. The selection of the desired hard disk is done with a rotary switch. This has to be set to the correct position before the computer is switched on. When the power supply is turned on, one of three relays is driven via diode D1, D2 or D3. The relays are provided with a hold circuit via a second diode (D4, D5 and D6). In this way the selected relay remains energised as long as the power supply voltage is present.

After switching on, electrolytic capacitor C1 is charged via R1, so that the common contact of the rotary switch is quickly at 0 V. This prevents an accidental change of hard disk while the computer is in operation. The ADSL modem is powered from the PC. This power supply voltage is only present if hard disk number 2 is selected. This prevents the use of the Internet if one of the other disks is selected.
Author: Uwe Kardel - Copyright: Elektor Electronics Magazine

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Digital Fan Regulator Circuit Diagram

This is the project of Digital Fan Regulator Circuit diagram. The circuit presented here can be used to control the speed of  fans using induction motor. The speed control is nonlinear, i.e. in steps. The current step number is displayed on a 7-segment display. Speed can be varied over a wide range because the circuit can alter the voltage applied to the fan motor from 130V to 230V RMS in a maximum of seven steps.  The triac used in the final stage is fired at different angles to get different voltage outputs by applying short-dura-tion current pulses at its gate. For this pur-pose a UJT relax-ation oscillator is used that outputs sawtooth waveform. This waveform is coupled to the gate of the triac through an optocoupler (MOC3011) that has a triac driver output stage.  Pedestal voltage control is used for varying the firing angle of the triac. The power supply for the relaxation oscillator is derived from the rectified mains via 10-kilo-ohm, 10W series dropping/limit-ing...
1 comment
Read more

Home automation with Telegram BOT

The project I’m going to describe today it’s a sort of proof of concept that will demonstrate the possibility to remote control sensors and actuators (for example a couple of relays) via Telegram. Telegram is an instant messaging application, similar to the famous Whatsapp. Last June, the Telegram developers announced that a new set of APIs were available to develop bots. [ ]
1 comment
Read more

24 Hour Timer

Description: These two circuits are multi-range timers offering periods of up to 24 hours and beyond. Both are essentially the same. The main difference is that when the time runs out, Version 1 energizes the relay and Version 2 de-energizes it. The first uses less power while the timer is running; and the second uses less power after the timer stops. Pick the one that best suits your application. Notes: The Cmos 4060 is a 14 bit binary counter with a built in oscillator. The oscillator consists of the two inverters connected to Pins 9, 10 & 11; and its frequency is set by R3, R4 & C3.The green Led flashes while the oscillator is running: and the IC counts the number of oscillations. Although it's a 14 bit counter, not all of the bits are accessible. Those that can be reached are shown on the drawing. By adjusting the frequency of the oscillator you can set the length of time it takes for any given output to go high. This output then switches the transistor; which in turn o...
Post a Comment
Read more