There is a fix for this and while farily straightforward in theory, takes a bit more to get executed.
Here is how you fix it:
1. Download hdapm and install the package.
2. Identify the disk you want to modify through disk utility or other method.
3. Open a terminal window and input the following:
sudo hdapm diskX power_setting
Problem is, you can't just do this.......
When that's done, you will need to identify what /dev object is the USB drive. I did this using dmesg and scrolling through the log. mine was sdb
Then (http://www.devslashzero.com/node/160):
sudo mkfs.vfat /dev/yourdisk -I
I then mounted the iso in Fusion to gain access to the files. Then you need to mount your newly formatted USB drive:
sudo mkdir /media/usb
sudo mount /dev/yourdisk /media/usb
Then, copy files from the .iso to the usb:
sudo cp -rf casper boot efi install pics pool preseed .disk /media/usb
sudo cp -rf isolinux /media/usb/syslinux
cd /media/usb/syslinux
sudo mv isolinux.cfg syslinux.cfg
You will need to download and install syslinx and mtools if they are not in your distro. They were in mine. Then:
cd ~
sudo amount /dev/yourdisk
sudo syslinux /dev/yourdisk
Now the drive is bootable. I had to do this twice, but I think it was because of the eject process within the VM and host. This worked:
sudo eject /dev/yourdisk
Then detach the USB drive from the VM in the VM settings and physically remove from the host (don't mess around with it from the host perspective)
Shutdown the MBP, insert the USB and then power on and hold the alt/option key. The usb drive should now show up as EFI Boot. Congratulations!
Select it and then select the live demo version.
Get into the desktop, launch terminal and identify the /dev/ information for the disk you want to change.
run the hdparm info above, it should show successful.
Reboot and this time go back into OS X
Once back, open terminal and execute the hdapm command again. It should show successful.
To validate that it will hold its settings after reboot, check the hdapm.plist file located in /Library/LaunchDaemons.
Open it with Text Edit and check for:
<array>
<string>/usr/local/bin/hdapm</string>
<string>disk2</string>
<string>192</string>
</array>
where disk2 is yourdisk and 192 is the power setting you set in your command.
Done. No more clicking and your drive will live longer too.
