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External hard drive turns on/off by itself

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Plesko Posted messages 16 Status Member -  
 So -
Hello,

I currently own an HP Pavilion dv6 1340 sf (laptop) running Windows 7, to which I am adding a Toshiba external hard drive of 320 GB. I've had the hard drive for over a year (maybe 2) and the laptop for 8 months.
So far, no problems, except that about a week ago, my hard drive started turning off and on unexpectedly. I did some research and saw several people advising to go into Device Manager and disable the option that allows Windows to disconnect the USB port for power saving.
This solution seemed to work at first, but it turned out not to be the case; my hard drive continues to disconnect and reconnect.
Also, when my laptop is not plugged in, I cannot use my hard drive (whether the option in Device Manager is enabled or not).
I also just tried my hard drive on another computer (also a laptop), and I had the same kind of reaction, which leads me to think it is the hard drive that is the problem.
I don't know if it is useful to mention that nothing has happened with the computer or the hard drive, that I take great care of both devices, and that the only change this week is that I moved into a studio where I study...

Does anyone have an idea of what is happening? Have I activated/deactivated an option?

Thank you in advance for your replies.

P.S.: I add a "please" that I didn’t know where to place, but a bit of politeness doesn’t hurt anyone, in this brutal world.

Configuration: Windows 7 / Google Chrome

4 answers

  1.
    Plesko Posted messages 16 Status Member 5
     
    Hello, and thank you for your quick and complete response!

    The HDD is only connected via USB (no power supply), and in addition to it, there is just a tiny mouse...

    Following your information, I did some tests: I unplugged my computer and the mouse, then connected the hard drive (making sure to uncheck the option in the device manager), the computer recognized my hard drive and it works perfectly well. I then plugged the mouse back in, and for now, everything is fine too.

    I have the impression (I don't know if this is possible) that the problem does not occur when I am at my parents' house, whereas in my apartment, it happens.

    I arrive at the hypothesis that the problem comes (as predicted) from the power supply, and that it even comes from the current provided by the socket that must be different in the two places, and maybe also because my computer is plugged into a power strip that also has a microwave, a kettle, and a toaster, which are power-hungry devices...
    I will therefore try plugging it directly into a wall socket, and then I will update you.

    Otherwise, you mentioned updating the motherboard drivers, how do we do that?

    However, if you have other ideas, I'm all ears :-).

    Have a good evening!
    3
  2. Anonymous user
     
    Hi, try to see if this helps:
    Maybe a loose connection, try testing another USB cable.
    Maybe the power supply isn't sufficient.
    Check the motherboard UPDATE THE MOTHERBOARD DRIVERS
    ICH (8 or 9, etc..) THE MOTHERBOARD DRIVERS
    They are related to SATA and USB (the whole motherboard basically!)
    Although I would be surprised by those last two solutions if you've tested it on other PCs)

    I’M GOING TO REPEAT TO BE CLEAR THAT THE OPTIONS ARE CORRECT

    Check if the hardware allows for sleep mode
    For XP, Seven, I have no idea if it works the same way
    go to the device manager---Expand USB bus controllers
    find the correct USB (not easy or do it on a rack
    right-click on it, select 'Properties' on the USB hubs
    look for the right one

    how?
    when you go to properties on the USB hub, you have a Power Management tab, the second one
    and there, if empty, it shows no devices connected, otherwise it tells you which device is connected
    you will have as many as the number of USB ports on your motherboard (or rack if you have a USB hub)
    once found, prevent it from shutting down and going to sleep:
    in the properties of the USB HDD hub
    select the 'Power Management' tab
    and there you uncheck:
    Allow this device to wake the computer
    and MOST IMPORTANTLY
    Allow the computer to turn off this device to save power.

    I remember you tested on another PC, but I'm not sure if there are not any data stored on the HDD, just to check because that might turn it off or put it to sleep.
    ESPECIALLY IF IT'S NOT PLUGGED INTO A POWER SOURCE
    in that case better equip it with a transformer to connect it to mains, especially if you have a lot of USB devices.

    P.S: Did you try with fewer USB devices plugged in? Because if you're using all the ports or if another device draws too much, you could overload.
    So try it alone to see if it holds up by itself..... just to know if it's a USB power issue

    I took what was said to you to verify if there’s been any change
    but it really seems like a power supply issue
    Is it plugged into mains???? or drawing everything from USB?
    +++
    0
  3. Plesko Posted messages 16 Status Member 5
     
    Hello,
    I have "resolved" my problem in the sense that my hard drive failed a few days later...
    The new one works well, I don't think there are any other questions to ask...
    Thank you for your help anyway!
    Have a nice day.
    0
  4. So
     
    For those whose hard drive goes to sleep / turns off:

    "HDDScan 3.3"

    - choose your HDD
    - click the button in the middle "New Task"
    - Build Command Line
    - Advanced Power Management -> click disable
    - at the bottom click save, name and save the batch file as you like.
    - execute the bat as admin (Win7/8) or double-click in XP

    DONE!

    Source:
    https://forum.toshiba.eu/showthread.php?66366-External-USB-HDD-Stor-E-Basics-Sleep-Mode&highlight=turn+off
    0