External harddrive won't shut down in Mavericks

😟 NOT WORKING 9.2 yet APPLE PEOPLE

I updated to 9.2 but it does not spin down: after ejected, when Mac goes into sleep mode and after 10 / 15 minutes of no access to it. ("Put hard disc to sleep when possible" is checked)

(My disk is LaCie 3TB)

very disappointed

Yep, same here. The LaCie and SansDigital FW enclosures now go to sleep when ejected, which isn't particularly helpful, of course, but don't spin down when the computer (MacMini C2D) goes to sleep, which would have been useful. On the other hand, the bug fixes listed for 10.9.2 don't mention anything about the FW issues, and it should be clear to all of us that this might never be important enough for Apple to spend any resources on it. If they keep ignoring their customers, I recommend looking for alternatives; I came from a Linux OS to OS X and might make the transition back again.

I spoke too soon.

I thought the Lacie was spinning down upon ejection.

Uh...I'm afraid not, just came in the office only to hear the sound of a spinning drive.

Something may have fired it back up despite the sleeping computer.

Now I'm completely confused.

Now we have to wait and see if 10.9.3 fixes this issue. I can't beleive that this has been going on since the launch of Mavericks and we still have this bug in the OS.

I suspect I'm probably one of the few that didn't expect this update to fix the issue. AIUI, 9.2 was rushed out primarily to fix the deep-rooted security flaw in the SSL protocols that was discovered last week. I think it was such a deep fix that it was simpler for them to download the entire OS than fiddle about in the innards, so to speak, so it will almost certainly be 9.3 before they fix the problem. Having said that, the last time they did something like this with Firewire, it wasn’t resolved until the next major OS number, and they were still actively promoting FW at that time.

Version 9.2 fixed my sleep issue. Not only when the computer sleeps but both drives will sleep during a period of inactivity. 2010 Mac Mini, 2 WD My Book Studio II using FW800. One formatted raid 0, the other raid 1. Running the last version of WD drive manager. I did notice that I have to press the power button for about a second before the computer sleeps compared to previously just having to give it a quick press.

swizzy, you should not have to press the power button at all, thats the point.

When there is no disk activity for 10 minutes on the external drive or computer goes to sleep the external drive should auto spin down(sleep) without the need for the user to do a thing with the power button. This way monitoring should not be required.

OzziesMAC,

The power button I was referring to is the one on the computer, not the hard drive. Sorry, I should have been clearer on that since it's totally unrelated to the hard drive sleep issue.

Both hard drives are now sleeping after about 10 minutes of inactivity.

"...I have to press the power button for about a second before the computer sleeps compared to previously just having to give it a quick press."

Why do you have to press the computer power button at all?

Glad to know your FireWire drives go to sleep.

Why do you have to press the computer power button at all?

Because I find it a bit more convenient than going up to the Apple menu to engage sleep.

I'm also having the same problem; began with Mavericks, continues with 10.9.2, and this on up-to-date disk hardware, a Firewire/USB3/eSATA enclosure for the 3.5 inch drive and Firewire/USB3 enclosures for the 2.5 inch drives.

I guess I just have to not use Time Machine regularly. Only plug in the externals when I need them. One of these days I suppose I'll cave and pay an arm and a leg for a Thunderbolt hub with USB3 ports, but what I nuisance. The whole point is to be able to daisy chain drives without a hub and without waiting any longer for thunderbolt drive enclosures.

I think I have seen posts saying that Thunderbolt drives are also affected by this fault. Perhaps only when using the actual Thunderbolt interface rather than the USB one, but if that is true, why not try a USB-only drive. Much cheaper and I use one which sleeps perfectly. Also if I connect my Firewire drive using USB, that sleeps OK.

Steve,

From what I have seen here EVERYTHING can possibly be affected. USB, Thunderbolt, firewire, etc, Lacie, WD, Seagate, iMacs, MBP, old hardware, new, whatever. Some are having the issue - some are not. Mine still doesn't sleep after 10.9.2 update (USB Seagate external drive), I wish I could easily go back to Mountain Lion.

Same here: my external hard drive keeps spinning without being used. Files are still there and have not been deleted for the time being.

If you have a solution pls post it: that's very annoying!

I have Mavericks 10.9.2 version

USB sleeps OK but then will not shut down when Mac shuts down. Very strange.