FAQ
TL;DR: Set WD10JPVX head‑parking to 240 seconds and verify via SMART 193 (C1). "You can check the head parking settings... with the wdidle program." This FAQ guides WD10JPVX and HGST HTS541010A99E662 owners on auto‑park and Windows Eject behavior. [Elektroda, Dra98, post #21264527]
Why it matters: It helps owners curb aggressive head parking, interpret "Eject," and avoid mistaken assumptions that can shorten HDD life.
Quick Facts
- WD10JPVX head parking can be checked/adjusted with WDIDLE (e.g., 240s) and verified by SMART 193 (C1). [Elektroda, Dra98, post #21264527]
- SMART 193 (C1) equals Load Cycle Count; track it to see head‑park frequency over time. [Elektroda, Dra98, post #21264527]
- USBDriveLog shows Plug Time and Unplug Time entries, revealing USB session history for drives. [Elektroda, pidar, post #21263798]
- Some USB 3.0 2.5" enclosures stay connected and operating after Windows 10 Eject; OS may not cut power. [Elektroda, gamemaniaco1987, post #21262928]
Do WD10JPVX-08JC3T5 and HGST HTS541010A99E662 support automatic head parking?
Yes. Parking is firmware‑controlled and visible via SMART 193 (C1). On WD10JPVX, you can also check or change parking with WDIDLE (e.g., 240s). Watch C1 to confirm behavior. [Elektroda, Dra98, post #21264527]
How do I test whether auto‑park is working on my drive?
"This can be seen in attribute (C1) Load Cycle Count." Do this:
- Read SMART 193 (C1) to get a baseline.
- Leave the drive idle or Eject, then wait several minutes.
- Read SMART again; C1 growth equals head‑parks in that interval.
Adjust WD10JPVX with WDIDLE and repeat to verify changes. [Elektroda, Dra98, post #21264527]
What exactly does SMART 193 (C1) Load Cycle Count measure?
C1 counts head load/unload events, commonly called parks. If C1 rises during idle, the firmware is auto‑parking. Track it to understand how often your drive parks and whether adjustments help. [Elektroda, Dra98, post #21264527]
How can I change the head‑parking timer on a WD10JPVX?
Use the WDIDLE program to read or set the parking interval, for example to 240 seconds. After changing, monitor SMART 193 (C1) to confirm slower growth, indicating fewer park events. [Elektroda, Dra98, post #21264527]
Is USBDriveLog free, and do I need to reconnect the drive to see events?
USBDriveLog is a NirSoft freeware that reads Windows logs to show historical Plug/Unplug times for USB storage. You can review past entries without reconnecting the device. USBDriveLog
What do "Plug Time" and "Unplug Time" in USBDriveLog mean?
They are timestamps Windows recorded when a USB storage device was attached and removed. In the example posted, the session lasted 2 hours, 1 minute, and 18 seconds. These entries are logs; they do not indicate head‑parking state. [Elektroda, pidar, post #21263798]
After I click Eject in Windows 10, why might the drive still seem active?
Some USB 3.0 enclosures remain connected and operating after Windows 10 Eject. Eject dismounts the volume but may not cut enclosure power. This edge case explains why a drive can appear active post‑Eject. [Elektroda, gamemaniaco1987, post #21262928]
Does Windows Eject park the heads, or is parking only drive‑firmware controlled?
Head parking is governed by the drive’s firmware. Use SMART 193 (C1) to confirm parking after idle or Eject. On WD10JPVX, WDIDLE controls how frequently the drive parks regardless of the OS. [Elektroda, Dra98, post #21264527]
Is "Unplug Time" the same as putting the HDD into a safe/park mode?
No. In USBDriveLog, Unplug Time is just the timestamp when Windows recorded device removal. It does not guarantee power‑off or that the heads are parked. USBDriveLog
Could tapping the enclosure after Eject cause bad sectors?
Eject requests safe removal, but some enclosures keep the drive operating. If the drive keeps running, impacts remain risky. Avoid shocks and handle the enclosure gently until fully disconnected. [Elektroda, gamemaniaco1987, post #21262928]
Is "100 seconds" the power‑off or park timer on these drives?
Parking timers are vendor settings. For WD10JPVX, use WDIDLE to read or change the interval and confirm effects by watching SMART 193 (C1). Many users choose 240 seconds for gentler parking behavior. [Elektroda, Dra98, post #21264527]
How can I verify if the enclosure stayed connected after Eject?
Open USBDriveLog and look for an Unplug Time after you Eject. If no Unplug entry appears, Windows still sees the device as connected. USBDriveLog
