Time Machine On/Off with MacBook Pro

I have a LaCie External Hard Drive set up to Time Machine by Fire Wire on my MacBook Pro.

It's working good so no complaints.

Simple question, when I need to take the MacBook away from the external Hard Drive should I go into System Preferences and turn the Time Machine off before disconnecting the Hard Drive?

Or is ok just to disconnect the drive and leave Time Machine set to 'On'?

I appreciate nothing will be backed up whilst it's away from the drive, before you tell me.

As always, thanks for any help in advance.

Just leave it on. If it can't find the drive--no harm done, and when you return, the backups will resume without a hitch.

Just make sure you eject ( un-mount ) the drive before you unplug it.

Clay

Check this out - u may find it handy
Download TimeMachineEditor for Mac - Change the one-hour interval of Time Machine backups. MacUpdate Mac Software Downloads

Thanks everyone again.