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Thread ID: 98992 2009-04-15 16:36:00 Wake up External USB drive from Win XP. MistyCat (11583) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
765328 2009-04-15 16:36:00 Windows XP Pro S/P 3

I have an external Seagate FreeAgent USB Drive. When I "Safely Disconnect" it will power down and stay off undtil I cycle the power to the drive or reboot the computer. No problems there.

However, I'd like to be able to wake it up from the computer.
Possible?

The nearest I've managed is by using "Add Hardware" which gives the message:
Windows cannot use this hardware device because it has been prepared for "safe removal", but it has not been removed from the computer. (Code 47)
To fix this problem, unplug this device from your computer and then plug it in again.

That works, of course, but I'd like a software method.
MistyCat (11583)
765329 2009-04-15 19:41:00 What happens if you just double click it's drive letter under my computer? Or right click open? gary67 (56)
765330 2009-04-15 20:42:00 I've been using HotSwap for ages now, as I connect and disconnect extra drives while Windows is running.
The Home page
mysite.verizon.net
Neil McC (178)
765331 2009-04-15 21:15:00 Windows XP Pro S/P 3

I have an external Seagate FreeAgent USB Drive. When I "Safely Disconnect" it will power down and stay off undtil I cycle the power to the drive or reboot the computer. No problems there.

However, I'd like to be able to wake it up from the computer.
Possible?

The nearest I've managed is by using "Add Hardware" which gives the message:
Windows cannot use this hardware device because it has been prepared for "safe removal", but it has not been removed from the computer. (Code 47)
To fix this problem, unplug this device from your computer and then plug it in again.

That works, of course, but I'd like a software method.

I'm not sure what you are after, if you are not turning the pc off or removing the USB drive, why are you using the safely remove feature? The safely remove feature is to stop 5v power and the disk writing. Removing and re-inserting well bring the device back up, however their is not need to use safely remove if you are leaving the device in!...
SolMiester (139)
765332 2009-04-15 23:16:00 I agree what Sol-why are are you using the safely remove function when you are not removing??

If you are trying to save power, windows already turns off connected USB devices after a certain period of time, so I wouldn't worry about that

Blam
Blam (54)
765333 2009-04-16 01:40:00 gary67 - After "Safely Remove" is used, the Drive Letter is removed from Explorer. There's nothing to click.

Neil McC - Thanks for that. I'd much rather use a "built-in" Windows method without adding software, but I'll try it if someone can confirm that the "Wake-up" ability isn't built in to Windows XP. I'd be quite happy to use an API call from Visual Basic or VBA.

SolMiester and Blam6 - I use "Safely Remove" to turn off the (very bright) LED on the FreeAgent Drive. The feedback from the light is useful while I'm at the computer, but at night it's bright enough to read by and distracting. SeaGate offer software to control the intensity of the LED, but I'd still like it completely off when I want it off.

It's no big deal. I control power supplies and chargers for other items from a switchable six outlet power strip in easy reach on my desk, and I could get what I want by cycling the power to the FreeAgent from that. However, I now have seven items, and I'm too mean to buy another switched power strip. :-)

I'd still like to know if it's possible to wake up the drive from windows without using additional software.

Thanks for the help.
MistyCat (11583)
765334 2009-04-16 01:55:00 In device manager(run>devmgmt.msc), right click your external hard drive and select disable.

When you want to use it again, right click and select enable.
Blam (54)
765335 2009-04-16 02:14:00 blam6 - Been there, tried that. :-) After "Enable," Windows says, "Yeah, I'll give it a go, but you're gunna hafta reboot." I'm sure you see the problem. :-) MistyCat (11583)
765336 2009-04-16 02:16:00 Probably need to create/find a batch file or auto hot key to prevent sleep mode. Or a simple program like NoSleepHD (vhxnblog.wordpress.com) kahawai chaser (3545)
765337 2009-04-16 02:23:00 kahawai chaser - I don't want to prevent Sleep Mode. I want to wake up my USB FreeAgent Drive after I've used "Safely Remove", which I do in order to turn of the very bright LED.
The LED remains on (dimmed) when the drive is asleep, but goes out after "Safely Remove."
MistyCat (11583)
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