External Hard Drive Power Failure

[stevem326]

Last night I had to leave my PC on (something I do once or twice a week) but when I got up today I noticed the power light on my Western Digital "My Book" external hard drive was out and it wasn't showing up under My Computer either. I removed the power cord from the back of the drive, plugged it back in, and everything powered up and seems to be fine now.

Is there anything I need to be worried about or be looking at? What would cause an external HD to shut down like that? I'm on an APC back-up power supply system but I don't think the power went out. I had several windows open when I went to bed and they were all still open when I got up so my PC definitely did not reboot.

I use the external drive for back-up purposes but now I'm wondering if I should just go back to using DVD's and CD's if this thing isn't reliable.

 

[Zepper]

It might have some kind of a sleep function that kicks in if you leave it powered up too long without any activity. Sometimes you can disable that feature of the drive in its firmware with a software tool from the mfr. if you want to. I hope you also forwarded this question to Maxtor and/or checked their FAQ on it before posting here.

.bh.

 

[Bob Anderson]

Is it possible you simply forgot to turn it on?

-Bob

 

[Fishy007]

The drives usually have some kind of power saving mode. Just like if you leave your monitor on without using it, it will power down.

 

[stevem326]

Originally posted by: Zepper
It might have some kind of a sleep function that kicks in if you leave it powered up too long without any activity. Sometimes you can disable that feature of the drive in its firmware with a software tool from the mfr. if you want to. I hope you also forwarded this question to Maxtor and/or checked their FAQ on it before posting here.

.bh.

It's actually a WD hard drive, not Maxtor, but I'll check their website for a sleep function feature. Thanks a lot.

 

[stevem326]

Originally posted by: Bob Anderson
Is it possible you simply forgot to turn it on?

-Bob

Actually, it turns on by itself and shuts down by itself every time I boot up or power down my PC. The only time I ever had to turn it on was when I first bought it and hooked it up to my PC.

 

[stevem326]

Originally posted by: Fishy007
The drives usually have some kind of power saving mode. Just like if you leave your monitor on without using it, it will power down.

I just submitted a question with WD...I couldn't find anything about a sleep feature for this drive on their website...thanks.

 

[spyral]

Hey I have one of the My Books as well and mine seems to go off randomly too. It started just like it did with you with the drive sometimes being off randomly but has since escalated significantly. I ignored the problem when it started and its with me now on a trip and its giving me alot of trouble.

It now goes off alot and also when I try to start it up, Im not always successful. The blue light on the front comes and in about 4-5 seconds I hear a click and the HD switches off. Somtimes it even clicks off after its been detected and Ive started browsing the folders. I then have to remove and reconnect the power from the back to get it to come on again and just hope that it stays on.

My suggestion would be to get it checked asap or if you can still return it do so and get a replacement. I cant say for sure if you will have the same trouble Im having but why take a chance.

 

[RebateMonger]

I don't know what a WD "My Book" drive is, but I saw in Newegg.com reviews that WD is having HORRIBLE problems with loose power supply connectors to their external hard drives. They randomly disconnect on their own. This seems to affect drives made over the past year.

 

[spyral]

The My Book is one their newer set of external drives. Its shaped like a book. =)

I think the problem is probably what rebatemonger mentioned with loose power supply connectors. Im just hoping this is fixable inhouse because I cant enforce a WD warranty overseas..gonna have to start a post to find out if anyone knows how to open one.

 

[stevem326]

 

[stevem326]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
I don't know what a WD "My Book" drive is, but I saw in Newegg.com reviews that WD is having HORRIBLE problems with loose power supply connectors to their external hard drives. They randomly disconnect on their own. This seems to affect drives made over the past year.

Thanks for this info...I wish I would have known this before I bought the drive!

 

[stevem326]

Originally posted by: spyral
Hey I have one of the My Books as well and mine seems to go off randomly too. It started just like it did with you with the drive sometimes being off randomly but has since escalated significantly. I ignored the problem when it started and its with me now on a trip and its giving me alot of trouble.

It now goes off alot and also when I try to start it up, Im not always successful. The blue light on the front comes and in about 4-5 seconds I hear a click and the HD switches off. Somtimes it even clicks off after its been detected and Ive started browsing the folders. I then have to remove and reconnect the power from the back to get it to come on again and just hope that it stays on.

My suggestion would be to get it checked asap or if you can still return it do so and get a replacement. I cant say for sure if you will have the same trouble Im having but why take a chance.

Eeeeesh...that doesn't sound good at all. I actually have the clicking noise, too. I thought it was coming from my internal HD but it's probably the external one after reading your post. I think I'll contact WD about a replacement. Thanks a lot for the info.

 

[stevem326]

Great...it just clicked again right after I made this post!

 

[SparkyJJO]

What, another WD problem? Not surprising

If it is under warranty get it replaced, ASAP.

(Sorry, I have a bone to pick with WD, their drives have given me all sorts of trouble)

 

[stevem326]

Originally posted by: SparkyJJO
What, another WD problem? Not surprising

If it is under warranty get it replaced, ASAP.

(Sorry, I have a bone to pick with WD, their drives have given me all sorts of trouble)

I've had good experiences with their internal hard drives but it definitely sounds like their "My Book" line of external drives has some issues...at least with the power cord anyway.

 

[stevem326]

Originally posted by: RebateMonger
I don't know what a WD "My Book" drive is, but I saw in Newegg.com reviews that WD is having HORRIBLE problems with loose power supply connectors to their external hard drives. They randomly disconnect on their own. This seems to affect drives made over the past year.

There is DEFINITELY an issue with the WD "My Book" power cord. I booted up my PC today and the stupid drive didn't even power up (it's configured by default to power up when the PC turns on...normally it does but today it didn't).

So, I unplugged the power cord from the back of the drive and it magically turned itself on. I would avoid these drives if I were you.