External HDs in chain?

I have four external HDs connected in a chain via firewire. If these units are NOT turned on does FCP and Mac still think of them as being a drag on the system? Something is slowing down the system. All HDs in the system are well below the 20% maximum level.

Thanks

Technically, no. If they're not spinning, the operating system will not try to mount and manage them, but you have to use them in order. You can't use the one on the end and leave the ones in the middle turned off.

Each drive represents a discontinuity in the cable and reduces the speed of the transfer. When they're running, the internal electronics prevent that, but then cause other problems.

Buy cheap FireWire cards for each drive and one on the machine.

Koz

Thanks Koz. The extra slow rendering and compositing today must have to do with something else. I'll try the process of elimination.