Hacking Guide: WD Passport Spindown Fix

[KTroopA]

can somone please explain this spindown issue? what exaclty happens to WD passport drive and how can you test for it plz. i got lost after page 2

can anyone help with this question plz?

 

[AdamBrunt]

the spindown issue is basically that some USB HDDs have a built in spindown feature (where the drive spins down after a period of activity). The USBLoader has a problem with such drives as it is not able to start the drive spinning again when it needs it and, hence, errors out / freezes / crashes

 

[hdhacker]

I'm using a Passport Essentials with R/N: B8B

That's really interesting. First, that's a newer hardware rev than the rest of us have. Maybe the spindown issue isn't as bad with this rev. Second, the drive inside doesn't have a SATA interface, so no sense opening the case. You could try using the hdparm program to identify your drive since it's possible the drive could communicate with the program via USB.

 

[Moquedami]

I have a WD Passport essencial 160gb.
I tested yesterday with Mario Kart and after 20 minutes in pause, I ended the track just fine and kept on playing.
I dont have the serial number here to compare, but i'll post it when i arrive home.

 

[T0rn1t]

Thank you so much for this guide, followed all the steps and now my WD passport works perfect!

 

[sheridan2000]

can someone who has one link to a picture of the seagate freeagent go as there appears to be different models around that look totall different??

 

[Gangboy]

I can verify that this fix is working on my wd mybook essential 1tb. But instead of using the windows port of hdparm, i used a livecd with linux opensuse (vista 64-bit doesnt work with the port) and used the hdparm commands (with the hd out of enclosure and plugged onto motherboard). But no more freezes!

 

[User423]

I tested with a 320GB Passport and have similar results after half an hour... the game hangs for a couple seconds but is able to continue with no problems.

I'm using a Passport Essentials with R/N: B8B

Now I´m scared to buy this drive!

I wanted to buy this drive in some minutes over a online shop.

 

[sheridan2000]

I tested with a 320GB Passport and have similar results after half an hour... the game hangs for a couple seconds but is able to continue with no problems.

I'm using a Passport Essentials with R/N: B8B

Now I´m scared to buy this drive!

I wanted to buy this drive in some minutes over a online shop.

why not get the seagate then around the same price

 

[hdhacker]

I tested with a 320GB Passport and have similar results after half an hour... the game hangs for a couple seconds but is able to continue with no problems.

I'm using a Passport Essentials with R/N: B8B

Now I´m scared to buy this drive!

I wanted to buy this drive in some minutes over a online shop.

why not get the seagate then around the same price

Doesn't it blow your mind when people ask for advice and then ignore it?

boy2048: "Help! HELP! I'm stuck in a well!!!"

GBATempMembers1-4: "Climb! Climb up and take our hands!"

boy2048: "I'm thinking I should dig... should I dig?"

GBATempMember5: "NO! I was trapped in a well, and digging is a bad idea! Climb out!"

GBATempMembers6-8: "We're lowering ropes! Take hold of a rope!"

GBATempMember9: "I've even tied a harness to the end of this one!"

boy2048: "I can feel the ropes, but I don't want to hold onto them... should I dig?"

GBATempMember10: "No! If you dig, you'll hit water, and then you'll be proper hosed. I should know, I almost drowned."

boy2048: "I dug a little bit just now, and I haven't hit water. I'm gonna keep digging..."

GBATempMembers11-18: "No! Climb! Climb out!"

boy2048: "Guys, I'm seriously stuck in this well! Help! HELP!!!"

GBATempMember19: "I was trapped in a well once. It took me two years, but I managed to build a climbing machine that pulled me to safety out of a well bucket and a pocket watch. I'm dropping the blueprints, extra buckets, and an assortment of pocket watches."

GBATempMember20: "I've engineered a jet-pack that will rocket you to safety. Stay where you are and we'll lower it down!""

boy2048: "Thanks for your help, guys. I'm gonna keep digging. I'll find the Mines of Moria and I'll just walk to the surface."

**GBATempMembers1-20 piss in the well**

GBATempMember21: "Guys, seriously... stop peeing in the well.""

 

[User423]

ok, i´m sorry

 

[Chemodile]

Would this work with a drive connected via eSata? I have this problem with my acomdata external with a WD inside and it would be nice to avoid cracking it open if I can.

 

[moviecouple]

I have a WD My Passport 400gb and paused Mario Kart and SW: Unleashed for over 2 hours each... no hangups or glitches at all.

 

[hdhacker]

I have a WD My Passport 400gb and paused Mario Kart and SW: Unleashed for over 2 hours each... no hangups or glitches at all.

Again, what's your R/N number?

 

[twig123]

Another thread (http://gbatemp.net/index.php?showtopic=146211&st=0) suggested using -S 0 (which is supposed to disable standby, but didn't on mine) or -B 255 (which failed to even change the setting on my drive)

My drive is a Internal WD 80GB IDE (WD800JB) that I placed in an aftermarked enclosure.
I just tested using the -S 251 as you suggested and here are my results:

Tested with Mario Kart, played till just before the finish on 3rd lap.
I paused for 30min (previously had issues after 25min, so I left it longer to make sure)
I finished race and was able to continue with no problems!!!!!!!!!!!

(It would be logical that I would have to power-cycle the if it was left on overnight... but that is a test for another time)

Crap... this stopped working again.
Galaxy Wars randomly crashed after ~5min
Animal Crossing crashes right after getting after getting off the bus
Neighborhood Games crashed after ~15min

The drive still seems to be spinning though. I powered off the Wii and the hard drive... came back today and was having a heck of a time getting the Wii to even see the drive again (code dumps in USB Loader). After about 10 tries of powering the wii & drive on and off... it came up and and said the drive didn't have a WBFS partition. I was like WTF, and reset the Wii. I then got the crash dumps. I took the drive and connected it to my computer, loaded up the WBFS utility and it read it no problems. I took it back to the wii... then it started reading it as well. WTH?!

It is still freezing on me randomly :S
the hdparm -S 0 setting appeared to have gone through, but appeared to still spin down
the hdparm -S 251 setting appeared to have gone through, and the drive does not appear to spin down... but still having issues.
the hdparm -B 255 setting failed "HDIO_DRIVE_CMD(keepsettings) failed: Input/output error"
the hdparm -K 1 setting failed "HDIO_DRIVE_CMD(keepsettings) failed: Input/output error"

I know this isn't a WD Passport as the topic is about, but anyone have any ideas?

 

[Shadow#1]

Golfman560, So with My Passport Essential 500GB WDME5000TN I dont need to do this modification?

 

[Shadow#1]

Golfman560, So with My Passport Essential 500GB WDME5000TN I dont need to do this modification?

 

[Shadow#1]

Golfman560, So with My Passport Essential 500GB WDME5000TN I dont need to do this modification?

 

[Shadow#1]

Golfman560, So with My Passport Essential 500GB WDME5000TN I dont need to do this modification?

Posts merged

ooops sorry for the multi posts gbatemp was slow and timing out

 

[ModderFokker]

Any games that will test my HD for that spindown issue ?

Ive played a pal patched rune factory frontier for several hrs and no problems whatsoever.

Does it only affect games when pausing ?

Ive got a Western Digital My Passport Essential 320 GB.
Will post results after testing...only need you guys to mention a game to me