Ext drives

Simon · Jan 05, 2014, 17:05:44

I have two Samsung 1Tb external hard drives permanently connected to my computer via USB. When I start up the computer, sometimes one of these drives will power on, sometimes neither and sometimes both will. They both power off when the computer is shut down. What could be the reasons for this, and is there any way to make them both power on every time? This is on a Windows 7 Desktop.

zappaDPJ · Jan 05, 2014, 17:46:16

Quote from: Simon on Jan 05, 2014, 17:05:44
I have two Samsung 1Tb external hard drives permanently connected to my computer via USB. When I start up the computer, sometimes one of these drives will power on, sometimes neither and sometimes both will. They both power off when the computer is shut down. What could be the reasons for this, and is there any way to make them both power on every time? This is on a Windows 7 Desktop.

How are they powered?

Simon · Jan 05, 2014, 17:49:03

USB.

zappaDPJ · Jan 05, 2014, 17:52:46

My first thought then would be that the USB port is not supplying enough power to always boot the drive. I know for example despite having a state of the art workstation, some of the USB ports on it will not charge my iPad.

pctech · Jan 05, 2014, 17:53:59

If you have spare USB ports it might be advisable to try to swap the drive that doesn't power up to another port to see if that has any effect.

Simon · Jan 05, 2014, 17:56:47

It's random, Mitch, and I have swapped the drives round. It's only a nuisance because I have automatic backups set to use one of the drives, so if it doesn't come on, and I don't notice, the backup doesn't work.

It could well be USB power related, as it is an old computer, and I do have the same thing myself sometimes even with the iPhone, Zap.

zappaDPJ · Jan 05, 2014, 18:04:29

It does sound like a power issue but I don't really know how to prove it. And just to be clear it may be nothing to do with the PC's power supply, it could be that the motherboard is not sending enough power to the ports, as is the case with my workstation which has a 1475 Watt power unit.

pctech · Jan 05, 2014, 18:17:16

I concur with Zap.

Think you need a powered USB hub to ensure a stable supply to the drives.

Simon · Jan 05, 2014, 18:22:28

I've tried powered USB hubs before, and believe it or not they stopped the computer booting at all. The computer does really need replacing, but all the time it's working alright, it's not at the top of my list of priorities.

zappaDPJ · Jan 05, 2014, 18:40:22

The only thing I can suggest is trying a mains powered USB hub. You can pick them up for under a fiver so it wouldn't be a total disaster if I've got it all wrong.

pctech · Jan 05, 2014, 18:42:12

Yep thats what I meant above really

Simon · Jan 05, 2014, 19:19:47

OK, will have a look for one. But as I said, the one I had before stopped the PC from booting until it was powered off, which would rather defeat the object.

pctech · Jan 05, 2014, 19:33:39

Indeed it would.

Technical Ben · Jan 06, 2014, 13:44:26

Could be a bios glitch. Check reports on the board/forums. If no one else reports the problem, or it's not mentioned in fixes, it's not worth a bios update.

Check boot settings too. "Legacy support" on USB ports etc.

Simon · Jan 06, 2014, 14:03:39

I went though the BIOS a while back and enabled USB support on boot up, but given this is random, I would have though if it was a BIOS issue, it would be all or nothing? It only seems to be these Samsung drives that do this, as the WD I had before seemed to stay powered all the time, but went into standby mode (the blue light flashed) when the PC was powered down. I've ordered a powered hub, so will see what difference that makes.

Steve · Jan 06, 2014, 14:09:55

I guess the newer drives are going into an automatic power saving mode and not waking, I have couple of LaCie drives where this feature can be turned off.

Simon · Jan 06, 2014, 14:21:21

Hmm... I've no idea where any settings are for these drives. Properties, perhaps? Will have a look later.

Steve · Jan 06, 2014, 14:26:40

Mine's obvious there's a switch on the case, is there a energy saving power setting in Windows for attached USB devices?

Simon · Jan 06, 2014, 14:29:05

No idea!

Technical Ben · Jan 06, 2014, 16:45:35

Quote from: Simon on Jan 06, 2014, 14:03:39
I went though the BIOS a while back and enabled USB support on boot up, but given this is random, I would have though if it was a BIOS issue, it would be all or nothing? It only seems to be these Samsung drives that do this, as the WD I had before seemed to stay powered all the time, but went into standby mode (the blue light flashed) when the PC was powered down. I've ordered a powered hub, so will see what difference that makes.

If only hardware/software was that easy. Have a bug on the memory controller on my CPU, that use to cause random crashes with 2 sticks of ram. Took forever to find out what it was, thankfully a small OC actually cured it.

Probably not software energy saving options... if it happens from boot. As I mentioned in your older thread. My PC fails to turn off without me unplugging my USB drive at times (I turn it off by hand and I'm guessing windows then sends a request to "update/turn off" which it never gets a reply for

).