Arch Linux

snack

Member

From: Italy

Registered: 2009-01-13

Posts: 862

HDD keeps parking heads regardless of APM_level value

I noticed that my laptop's HDD keeps parking heads regardless of the value of APM_level set with hdparm -B (I hear the infamous click...). I tried to set APM_level to 255, which AFAIK should make the HDD never park heads, but it is not effective. Here's what I see:

$ sudo smartctl -a /dev/sda | grep Load_Cycle
68:193 Load_Cycle_Count        0x0032   093   093   000    Old_age   Always       -       79986
$ sudo hdparm -B 255 /dev/sda

/dev/sda:
 setting Advanced Power Management level to disabled
 APM_level      = off
$ sudo smartctl -a /dev/sda | grep Load_Cycle
68:193 Load_Cycle_Count        0x0032   093   093   000    Old_age   Always       -       79989
$ sudo hdparm -B /dev/sda

/dev/sda:
 APM_level      = off

I'm using laptop-mode, but I'm stably on AC so laptop-mode shouldn't change any setting. This problem doesn't show up when I use 32 bit Arch on the same laptop, only when using 64 bit.
Can anybody help me please? Thanks.

NotMine

Member

Registered: 2011-10-13

Posts: 19

Re: HDD keeps parking heads regardless of APM_level value

The output of "smartctl -i /dev/sda" would help us understand the make and model of hard drive.

Your issue might be "a feature" of your hard drive.

The fact you point out different behavior between 32-bit ARCH and 64-bit ARCH opens other possibilities. Could be as simple as a configuration difference somewhere.

Last edited by NotMine (2011-12-12 01:19:26)

snack

Member

From: Italy

Registered: 2009-01-13

Posts: 862

Re: HDD keeps parking heads regardless of APM_level value

Here it is:

$ sudo smartctl -i /dev/sda                                                                                                                                     
Password:                                                                                                                                                                           
smartctl 5.42 2011-10-20 r3458 [i686-linux-3.1.4-1-pae] (local build)                                                                                                               
Copyright (C) 2002-11 by Bruce Allen, http://smartmontools.sourceforge.net                                                                                                          
                                                                                                                                                                                    
=== START OF INFORMATION SECTION ===                                                                                                                                                
Model Family:     Toshiba 2.5" HDD MK..52GSX
Device Model:     TOSHIBA MK3252GSX
Serial Number:    68E6P0RGT
LU WWN Device Id: 5 000039 112403511
Firmware Version: LV010A
User Capacity:    320,072,933,376 bytes [320 GB]
Sector Size:      512 bytes logical/physical
Device is:        In smartctl database [for details use: -P show]
ATA Version is:   8
ATA Standard is:  Exact ATA specification draft version not indicated
Local Time is:    Mon Dec 12 10:52:03 2011 CET
SMART support is: Available - device has SMART capability.
SMART support is: Enabled

I didn't notice the problem since some days ago. I think that it is something related to software and/or configuration.

renegat

Member

From: Europe

Registered: 2012-12-28

Posts: 88

Re: HDD keeps parking heads regardless of APM_level value

If it is not the same problem I've described here you could try setting the APM value to 254 instead of 255 as APM=off is not supported by every HDD.
I've experienced similar behaviour on my Samsung 2,5" HDDs SpinPoint M7E(AF) HM251HI: Only APM@254 stopped the annoying, self-destructive head-parking 'feature'.
My WD3200BEVT e.g. only stops klicking with APM set to 255 (off) while every other setting between 128-254 causes excessive, noisy head-parking.
APM-Values under 128 even spin down the hdd which culminates in a constant spin up, spin down and makes it impossible to work.
More annoying the APM setting of this WD drive randomly switches back to 128 without further reason...

snack

Member

From: Italy

Registered: 2009-01-13

Posts: 862

Re: HDD keeps parking heads regardless of APM_level value

If it is not the same problem I've described here you could try setting the APM value to 254 instead of 255 as APM=off is not supported by every HDD.
I've experienced similar behaviour on my Samsung 2,5" HDDs SpinPoint M7E(AF) HM251HI: Only APM@254 stopped the annoying, self-destructive head-parking 'feature'.
My WD3200BEVT e.g. only stops klicking with APM set to 255 (off) while every other setting between 128-254 causes excessive, noisy head-parking.
APM-Values under 128 even spin down the hdd which culminates in a constant spin up, spin down and makes it impossible to work.
More annoying the APM setting of this WD drive randomly switches back to 128 without further reason...

Thanks for your suggestion, renegat. In fact, since I opened the thread, many things happened: I found that 254 works and most noticeably I replaced my HDD with an SSD which works even better
Anyway, let me suggest you to avoid necrobumping:

https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Fo … Bumping.22

Forum moderators do not appreciate that...

Last edited by snack (2013-03-09 11:09:34)

renegat

Member

From: Europe

Registered: 2012-12-28

Posts: 88

Re: HDD keeps parking heads regardless of APM_level value

I apologize, you are right!
I misread the last posts date as it contains so many '12'es... but it was from 2011.

Perhaps you should've posted your insights and marked this thread as solved so I would not have to discover it again by myself?

Last edited by renegat (2013-03-09 11:40:23)