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    Put harddrive in sleep mode

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by Oskare100, Dec 5, 2007.

  1. Oskare100

    Oskare100 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello,
    Is there any way to put the harddrive in sleep mode (stop the harddrive from spinning) with a command or a software? The only way I've found is to let windows power it down after x number of minutes... I'm using Windows and a Hitachi Travelstar 5k160 2.5" harddrive (or similar, can't remember exact model number).

    Thanks
    /Oskar
     
    Oskare100, Dec 5, 2007
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  2. GrandAdmiral

    GrandAdmiral Notebook Evangelist

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    You could use the hibernation function. Basically standby except the information is saved to the hard disk rather than RAM allowing the computer to switch off completely. It needs to be enabled in power options first and will use as much hard disk space as you have RAM. Then on the standby, shutdown, restart menu, hold down shift and standby will change to hibernate. Click it and off goes the computer

    Grand Admiral
     
    GrandAdmiral, Dec 5, 2007
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  3. Oskare100

    Oskare100 Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hello,
    I think you missunderstood me. What I mean is stop the harddrive from spinning, as windows does in the harddrive stop spinning setting, but with a command but not shutdown the computer. Just stop the harddrive from spinning temporary.

    /Oskar
     
    Oskare100, Dec 9, 2007
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  4. Ingvarr

    Ingvarr Notebook Deity

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    And how programs/OS will store/get the neeeded data when you will power down the drive?
    Try to set the "stop spinning timeout" to lesser value - most probably you will see that hard drive will constantly spin down and spin up - thats because various programs or system services need to access it.
     
    Ingvarr, Dec 9, 2007
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  5. Oskare100

    Oskare100 Notebook Enthusiast

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    I have my programs and os on a flash / SSD drive.

    I didn't ask for help about the built in windows function for harddrive spindown after x number of minutes. I need a software that can enable me to do that manually with a command or similar.
     
    Oskare100, Dec 9, 2007
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  6. Ingvarr

    Ingvarr Notebook Deity

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    I am not sure the Windows will allow to bypass the built in power management. Technically it may be possible via the Win32 power management API (put the disk device into low power state), but I am not aware of any existing utility to do exactly that.

    The best way as I know is to use "hdparm" command line utility to tweak the HDD power management settings via ATA protocol as needed (ie set it to very aggressive/spindown or disable it as needed). Results may vary on different HDD models.
     
    Ingvarr, Dec 9, 2007
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  7. daniel_siq

    daniel_siq Newbie

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    I know this is an old topic, but i'm also looking for a software to do this. So far I found "RevoSleep" ( http://revosleep.realspooky.de/). It worked on some Hds. But not on a USB enclosure, neither on the eSata Addonics Port replicator Hard Drives i'm using
     
    daniel_siq, Sep 11, 2008
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