External Hard Drive Issue

edmaul69

@KnightZ87 i think wd has a program to disable the sleep feature.

GoldManSex778

@KnightZ87 Something else to consider would be getting a generic hdd usb enclosure with an off-the-shelf hdd.

KnightZ87

@edmaul69 They do, but unfortunately it doesn't support that specific hard drive. I downloaded the software and it wouldn't pick it up. Unless there is some hack then no joy I'm afraid.

KnightZ87

@GoldManSex778 Yea I had thought of that but luckily the HDD I'm using now seems to work. So for now I will use that.

edmaul69

@GoldManSex778 the case doesnt matter. The sleep function is a hardware feature built into the drives.

GoldManSex778

@edmaul69 Exactly, but with a universal enclosure it would be easier to find and use a drive that doesn't have that in the firmware. Unless you are saying that ALL drives have those features?

omen_peter

@KnightZ87 i read this post with interest as I also use a WD Elements HDD using the retropie-mount method, but I don't recall having this issue of it spinning down and causing games to pause. Looking online I realised my drive is one of their 'portable' versions. Whilst this means it isn't compatible with any WD Utilities software, it also means it doesn't actually appear to have a sleep mode! Reading reviews this is seen as a bad thing but for retro gaming I guess it's a plus!

Here's a link to the one I use:

omen_peter

@KnightZ87 i should add that my drive is NTFS formatted.

KnightZ87

@omen_peter heres a link to the one I was using. https://www.amazon.co.uk/WD-Elements-Desktop-External-Drive/dp/B00H7TBBSW/ref=mp_s_a_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1551975904&sr=8-10&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=western+digital+2tb

I didn't try NTFS. Maybe I could have given that a whirl.

I've swapped that drive with my dad though and the one I'm using now is working fine. So I probably won't bother trying it now. In hindsight 2TB is overkill for the library I will have on it. He backs up alot of music. So the swap has suited both parties.

The one I'm using now is a verbatim 1tb but I can't seem to find it online. It's a few years old now but was rarely used. Works a treat.

schnickalot

I bought WD Elements 2 GB (w/o extra power Adapter) a few days ago and saw this thread yesterday and immediately tested ISS Pro Evo Soccer II from HDD and from SD and I can confirm there are minimal freezes playing from HDD. From SD Card everything is fine. I also tested a racing game (Porsche Challenge) but this was ok even from HDD.

I would like use a HDD w/o extra power adapter - can someone suggest which HDD to buy?

backstander

@KnightZ87

Have a look at this article about hdparm! There are many settings you can tweak!

Tune Your Hard Disk with hdparm:
http://www.linux-magazine.com/Online/Features/Tune-Your-Hard-Disk-with-hdparm

You could also set the sleep/standby timer to a longer time!

Change hard drive's sleep/standby mode timer to reduce power consumption:
https://linuxconfig.org/change-hard-drive-s-sleep-standby-mode-timer-to-reduce-power-consumption

Spin Down and Manage Hard Drive Power on Raspberry Pi
https://www.htpcguides.com/spin-down-and-manage-hard-drive-power-on-raspberry-pi/