Windows 8.1 causes external hard drives to auto-sleep?

Anonymous
2013-10-27T07:38:58+00:00

My 2 external hard drives are always active as I have disabled auto sleep. I didn't have this problem way since Windows 7, but after upgrading to Windows 8.1 from Windows 8, my 2 external hard drives will automatically went to sleep around 10 minutes of inactivity. I have tried the power options, device manager options, but to no avail. Any help? Thanks. 

I'm using NoSleepHD as a temporary fix but I hope there's a permanent fix for this.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2013-11-01T15:32:42+00:00

Thanks for the trace. We will analyze and get back to you. We published a blog on this yesterday to bring awareness and get help from the community to root-cause the issue. We think this is all due to suspending the device when idle which we never used to do in previous OSes. We will find out if this turns out to be something else.

http://blogs.msdn.com/b/usbcoreblog/archive/2013/11/01/help-after-installing-windows-8-1-my-usb-drive-disappears-or-file-transfers-stop-unexpectedly-r-a-post-title.aspx

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-08-08T13:52:11+00:00

    Hi, I had the same issue days ago. I had a Seagate 2Tb External HD and it was dismounting all the time with no apparent reason. Even after trying every procedure I found on forums and even downgrade to Windows 7, the issue persisted. So I contacted Seagate and they recommended me to download Seatools software: http://m.seagate.com/support/downloads/seatools/ and run the "long test". After a couple of hours the diagnostic showed that my drive had the Bad Sector (block) problem. This could be an software or a hardware issue and that´s what is causing this much trouble. If you run the test and get this result I recommend:

    Hope you find the solution, even if it´s not the same as mine.

    Obs.: Sorry poor  English.

    Well I used the Seatools, long test, and the drive came back as passed, without any bad sectors.

    So now I am back to square one trying to figure out how to get the annoying sound of mount and unmount to stop.

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  2. Anonymous
    2014-08-08T14:04:09+00:00

    Well that´s good and bad.. hope you find your solution..Perhaps only a Windows downgrade will do the job but it´s a long shot

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-08-08T14:07:22+00:00

    I am going to see what happens after Tuesday the 12th, supposed to be a substantial update, but I am not holding my breath.

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-08-18T16:51:07+00:00

    I have had the same problem with my Seagate Expansions.Just go to power options and then change the Usb settings to disabled  (power options usb selective suspend).It Worked for me.My disks never go to sleep.( I don't know if anyone solved the problem.I haven't read all the pages I just wanted to help :)

    I am curious where you are finding these power option settings.  On my Surface Pro 3, they simply don't exist:

    As you can see there are no options for hard drives or USB listed.

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