WD Elements External Hard Drive: No Sleep Issue

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Level 1

4 points

WD Elements External Hard Drive: No Sleep Issue

Hello,

I know this probably isn't the best place for this as it's not directly related to an iMac. But it works.

I have two WD Elements (http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?groupid=304&lang=en) external hard drives that I use for a Time Machine and for a Media drive. I've got them plugged into a Belkin Powered USB Hub (http://store.apple.com/us/product/TW306LL/A) which is then of course attatched to my iMac. My issue is that the two hard drives seem to continue to work at full power once I've shut my computer off.

Is there anyway I can have them go into sleep mode?

I was considering splicing a switch onto the power cord of the USB Hub so that I could easily turn it off once the computer is off. However that seems a bit silly?

Thank you for your time, and opinions,

Robin

Posted on Jun 10, 2011 6:54 PM

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Answer 1

Vitu

Level 2

235 points

Jun 10, 2011 8:26 PM in response to RobinWKurtz

Hi Robin,

Under the Energy Saving preferences there's an option to put your HD's at rest whenever possible. I find that different brands o HD respond differently to this settings. Try it out and see if it works for you.

Regards,

Vitu

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Answer 2

RobinWKurtz Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 11, 2011 4:51 AM in response to Vitu

Thanks for the suggestion. I can't believe I didn't think about that as I knew about it.

It seems to have helped when the computer is on. I can see that at some points they are working a lot less, which is great. So thank you.

Unfortunately they seem to be still working at full power them the computer is off. I figure this is because they are not directly attatched to the computer itself so nothing is telling them to "sleep."

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Answer 3

Vitu

Level 2

235 points

Jun 11, 2011 10:48 AM in response to RobinWKurtz

If they have a on/off switch, you should turn them off when the computer is off. If not, disconnect them from the power source.

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Answer 4

RobinWKurtz Author

Level 1

4 points

Jun 11, 2011 2:44 PM in response to Vitu

Yeah, I guess that's what I will have to do. However it's a pain.. that's why I thought I could slice a switch into the power cable for the USB Hub. One switch and all my components will be off.

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