I recently installed Windows in dual boot with Linux (on two different SSDs) and I noticed that Windows automatically “shuts down” or stops the HDD if it is not being used.
I have a HDD (WD) connected by SATA cable where I usually keep my games. The HDD is not always in use but it is always constantly running and honestly the noise it makes is quite noticeable. I’m sure I don’t have any program in the background using it constantly.
I have already tried to solve this problem using hdparm and hd-idle and although in theory they work I still hear the noise from the HDD.
Checkout smartctl. You can either force shutdown immediately or after some idle time. Command is something like this:
smartctl -n -s standby,VALUE /dev/sda with value either “now” or something between 0 and 255. From the manpage:
That’s interestingly specific. Any idea why?
252 * 5 sec = 1260 sec or 21 min. I wonder what 254 does…
@Revan343 @Unimeron
The ATA specification takes the values that way. https://people.freebsd.org/~imp/asiabsdcon2015/works/d2161r5-ATAATAPI_Command_Set_-_3.pdf