External USB harddisk question

[Dippo]

Hi everyone,

Just got my new Matrix mini PC delivered yesterday and I am extremely happy with it - my old WDTV has taken a short trip straight to the bin !!
One question I would like to ask though - the 2 external USB drives I have connected seem to be spinning all the time even when I am not accessing anything on them. Is there a setting I can change to make them idle when not in use (I'm using the MatrixTV image V1.0.0.5) ? I'm afraid I am pretty linux illiterate so please try and keep any answers simple...
Thanks for a great box & any help you can give.

[mijanek]

Just grab and install the hdparm tool from here: viewtopic.php?f=158&t=8892#p30797 and try to ste the proper PME times..

e.g. (You have to adjust the proper device)

Code: Select All Code

hdparm -S 120 /dev/sd[bcd]

[Dippo]

Thanks for your help mijanek, I'll give it a try....

[Dippo]

Erm sorry mijanek, I did say I was a bit of a Linux dunce !
The program installed OK but when I try to configure it I get :

[root@matrixtv /]# hdparm -S 120 /dev/sda

/dev/sda:
setting standby to 120 (10 minutes)
HDIO_DRIVE_CMD(setidle) failed: Invalid argument
[root@matrixtv /]# hdparm -S 120 /dev/sda1 (wasn't sure if I had to add the '1' but this is how it's shown in /media)

/dev/sda1:
setting standby to 120 (10 minutes)
HDIO_DRIVE_CMD(setidle) failed: Invalid argument
[root@matrixtv /]# hdparm -S 120 /dev/sdb

/dev/sdb:
setting standby to 120 (10 minutes)
HDIO_DRIVE_CMD(setidle) failed: Invalid argument
[root@matrixtv /]# hdparm -S 120 /dev/sdb1

/dev/sdb1:
setting standby to 120 (10 minutes)
HDIO_DRIVE_CMD(setidle) failed: Invalid argument
[root@matrixtv /]#

Any idea what the invalid arguement is or how I can find out ?
Thanks again !!
PS - they are both 2Tb WD Elements USB drives (in case this makes any differance)

[Dippo]

Just found this on a Linux site :
DESCRIPTION
hdparm provides a command line interface to various kernel interfaces
supported by the Linux SATA/PATA/SAS "libata" subsystem and the older
IDE driver subsystem. Many newer (2008 and later) USB drive enclosures
now also support "SAT" (SCSI-ATA Command Translation) and therefore may
also work with hdparm. Eg. recent WD "Passport" models and recent
NexStar-3 enclosures. Some options may work correctly only with the
latest kernels.

So maybe it will just not work with my USB drives.....

[Dippo]

Update, left XMBC running, went to the supermarket and when I got back both disks were idling.
So either hpdarm worked despite the error message or the drives go into idle after some period anyway....
Bottom line is that they're not going to be spinning all night so I'm a happy chappy.