Windows 7: Wake computer without waking external hard drives

If this is in the wrong forum, please move to the correct forum.

I am running windows 7 64 bit, and have 4 external hard drives attached (not the best way, but until I can afford a server, the only way).
I am using my computer as a media center only.
When I wake my computer it can take a while (30 seconds to a minute), before I can use it, due to it starting up my external hard drives, but I have noticed a couple of times, my computer will wake without starting up my external hard drives (able to use media center within 2 seconds).
Does anyone know if there is a way to get my computer to wake up without starting up the external hard drives every time?

Switch them OFF.

Anyone else got sensible ideas.
I suspect there is nothing I can do about it, but you don't know unless you ask

i would also say turn them off.

why does it only take '2seconds' without external HDD's

and '30 seconds to 1 min' with them? is it serching on startup or soemthing?

if so turn off indexing.

Never thought of indexing. Thanks, I will try that. Turning them off isn't an option, as they are not easy to get to

plug all into 1 floating socket and can easily turn off/unplug them in 1 swift move.

Never heard of a floating socket. Will have to look into it

extension socket...


(my friend said this to me the other day, i told them they where mad)