Posts by Da Flex

On a 24/7 box I suggest an automatic HDD spin-down, triggered by autostart.sh.

To spin-down after 5 minutes of inactivity, add this line to /storage/.config/autostart.sh:

hdparm -S 60 /dev/sda2

So the request is basically a script that reads browser bookmarks, and writes them into LE's favorites. Doable, but, as mentioned, not worth the effort due to expired Chrome add-on lifetime. With a new non-X11 browser it would be a different story.

The Chrome browser add-on is only available on x86, so I was a little confused as an RPi user. That add-on is based on CvH 's work, and it's some kind of a quick-n-dirty hack. I don't think a "favorites" link can call that add-on, but not 100% sure.

PS: I gave CvH a ping to have a look at this. Stay tuned...

Do you want to use a chrome bookmark as a link to a different app? That doesn't work. A browser opens a different app to play specific content, but never just an app without content.

I'm using TOSLINK to connect a Panasonic Plasma to the sound system. Can you go that path, too?

Quote from toml

I did shut down the drive with "hdparm -Y /dev/sda2" command, heard it turn off and after I ran "reboot" command it immediately turned the drive back on following by the squeaky drive reboot sequence.
am I missing something about how to properly shut down the drive?

I think you did it right. Too sad it didn't worked. That's the only "head parking" option I know - there are no real head parking commands available.

Current theory: The OS is reading the master boot record on reboot. That shouldn't happen on shutdown. Can you please check that (the sound on shutdown)?

Quote from HiassofT

To get any meaningful logs or info about the TV or soundbar these hdmi settings need to be removed from config.txt before.

That's another point for a fresh install of LE 10.

dippes If you have another microSD laying around, give it a shot.

PS: Because my suggested changes at config.txt had no effect, you can also try LE 10. It has some bug fixes, and maybe one of those fixes solves your issue.

Quote from dippes

Da Flex

Unfortunately, the commands in the config.txt did not have any effect either.

Thanks for testing. HDMI modes on both logs are the same, so that part of the pass-through works. Two more tests:

• Use different amounts of output channels on LE's audio settings. Because it's a surround soundbar, it maybe doesn't accept the default setting of two channels (other channels are encoded at those two).
• Detach and attach the HDMI cable while RPi is running.

Quote from dippes

Could this also be due to my old Panasonic plasma?

I don't think so. It's more likely your soundbar changes the HDMI mode somehow. To rule out this, try a config.txt containing your preferred HDMI mode. Example config.txt:

hdmi_force_hotplug=1
hdmi_ignore_edid=0xa5000080
hdmi_group=1
hdmi_mode=4

If you upgrade to LE 10, those settings have to be transformed to a different syntax at cmdline.txt.

That was it, man. So try hdparm to spin-down (hopefully), and then use shutdown or reboot. Different sound?

Yes, a voltage issue is unlikely.

I remember some kind of a spin-down command on Linux, but I'm not sure whether it works with SATA drives. Does someone know that command?

To be honest: I have no clue what happens inside an HDD during reboot. Best solution is replacing by an SSD.

Quote from toml

ok, i'm not sure if I'm able to follow, but let's give it a try. what's your theory and how to measure it?

Theory: HDD loses power supply on reboot for a very short time, which causes a HDD reboot and a strange noise.

Measurement to proof that theory: Find the power supply pins of the HDD by having a look at the data sheet. Remove some isolation of the connecting cable to get measure points at those power supply pins. Then connect a voltage measure instrument, and check the needle while rebooting. If the needle moves down, the theory has been proofed.

toml Do you have basic electronic skills? If yes, you could test my power-off theory by measuring. Debug logging is usually a good idea, but I don't think we get info about internal HDD state during reboot time.

chewitt Thanks. I'm still thinking the Seagate drive get's a short power-off, but now I have no clue how to fix that.

Quote from toml

when I do this with HC4, there is this LE shutdown sequence, drive spins down, then suddenly spins up and then the power is cut or HC4 reboots and that's when that squeak sound appear.

The USB drive probably just get a short power-off, which creates the sound. Attach an external power supply. I don't think you can avoid that short power-off by software.

I don't think you'll get dev support for this, because it's a rare issue, and you didn't named your NAS. We are usually pretty precise on this forum.

Search for an option to program a short suspend time from another OS (look at the Seagate download page). A suspend mode can stop rotation (spin-down), and no proper heads parking will be necessary.