Windows 10: Ext. HDs: “spool-up, shut-down, spool-up, shut-down.”

I’ve just updated from Windows Vista to Windows 10 and my external hard drives are shutting down less than a minute after the last access. It’s now, “spool-up, shut-down, spool-up, shut-down.” How can I tell Windows to allow them to spin for longer periods of time like it was in Vista?

Will the short run time affect the disks’ reliability?

Thanks.

:)

 

Laptop blackscreens and fan spools up, it shuts down, and does it repeatedly.

Hi David,

Welcome to Microsoft Community and we appreciate your interest in Windows 10.

I understand the inconvenience that you are facing. I will definitely assist you.

There can be many reasons for starting to a black screen. I would suggest you to go to the below link and try the steps provided by Sharath Srinivasa and check if this helps.

Black screen after upgrading to Windows 10

Black screen after upgrading to Windows 10

Hope this helps. Post us with status we will be glad to help you.

 

Cannot print in Windows 10

My issue was resolved by deleting some left over from C:\Windows\System32\spool\... after the upgrade to Windows 10. You need to shut down the spooler service first before doing this.

 

Hello @mhansen2, and welcome to Ten Forums. *Smile

The tutorial below can help show you how to change the time for when to turn off idle drives.

Hard Disk - Turn Off After Idle in Windows 10

 

Hi Brink, thanks for the welcome.

I did the power changes in the tutorial, but they don't affect my external drives. Is that tutorial only for the internal drive?

Mike

 

It'll affect all internal and external HDDs, but not SSDs.

Did you install any software (ex: backup or manage) for the external drive? If so, it may have a setting for this that's overriding Windows.

In addition, check to see if you may have Intel Power Management software installed. It can also override what you have set in Windows.

 

I haven't installed any software like you suggested. I'm using the external HDDs exactly as they were on the Vista system.

 

As a test, if you turn off this setting in the power options for your power plan, do they still turn off?

Depending on that external case you have these HDDs in, it could have a setting of its own for when to turn off when idle. What brand and model number are the external HDDs? I'll be happy to see if I may be able to find out more information on them.

 

I went into the "Change Advanced Power Settings" and changed "turn off HD after" to NEVER for both plugged in and battery. After fifteen minutes, the external HDs are still running. In fact, they've been active ever since.

I have three of the Western Digital "My Book" HDs and one of the WD "My Passport Ultra."

Thanks again for your help.

 

That sounds promising so far.

Next, you can try setting the time to what you want to see if that may toggle them to turn off after being idle when you want.

If not, then you could also download and install "WD Drive Utilities for Windows" from Western Digital at the link below to set them to turn off when you like.

*Arrow My Book | WD Support

From their settings page to help. *Smile

 

Resetting "Turn off HD after" setting seems to be working. I downloaded the WD utilities as you suggested, but the dialog box covers only one HD with no option to select another. I have three connected.

It's never easy, is it? *Smile