Disk won't sleep in Sleep Mode

[dotdotdot]

I have a mid '11-build 21" iMac that has been essentially flawless (discounting user error) up to now. Updates are current (ignore profile specs). There is at least 400 GBs of space available on the disk. I do have aftermarket RAM for a few years now (don't worry, it's from OWC) but pulling those sticks didn't solve anything. The problem manifested itself about 3-4 months ago.

When I put it in Sleep Mode, the hard drive won't sleep. It'll spin for 2 minutes, then sleep for 1 second, restart - rinse, lather, repeat ad infinitum. All the while the screen is off, so that part is OK but the endless and regular disc on-off cycle loop definitely happens.

Starting it in Safe Mode and then going to Sleep Mode, the problem still persists.

I've run Disk Repair and everything comes back swimmingly.

I've disconnect the network and closed all apps...no diff. Peripherals too, but that would only be the Mac keyboard. No USB items are connected.

In Utilities, I think, there's a list where "requires wake up in Sleep" but nothing is listed. Also in Preferences, I made sure that nothing requires network access (in Sleep). I've researched this to death and made sure the settings are such that there would be no reason for a wake up during Sleep.

I don't do gaming or anytype of social media, if that has any relevancy.

I'm kind of worried because the switch on the back has to be hit just right to work to turn on the thing and also because the recommendation is that Sleep is prefered over shutting it down.

 

[harryb2448]

\How is Energy Saver set up in System Preferences?

Have you selected the option 'Put Hard Disks to Sleep When Possible'?

As various operating systems have slightly different System Preferences, it is always wise to share with us operating system details. It does happen folk have old information under the avatar.

 

[dotdotdot]

Energy Saver is "Put hard disk to sleep when possible" (after 15 minutes) and wake for network access is off. 10.12.5 comprises the OS. I actually redownloaded the latest version incase something went askew with the update. No luck.

 

[pm-r]

Is this "disk" the included installed interior HDD or an externally connected HDD??

If it's any consolation, most spinning hard drives, unless designed to do otherwise, prefer to and usually last longer if they are just left powered On and spinning.

Is there any special reason to have it spin down and what's the bit about "the switch on the back has to be hit just right to work to turn on the thing" you mentioned???






- Patrick
======

 

[dotdotdot]

The internal one. Spin down? Yes. It used to properly spin down in Sleep Mode like it's supposed to. There's no way it's normal or good for the disc to go into a start - stop cycle endlessly.

The switch has to sometimes be pressed at a certain angle for it to work.

 

[pm-r]

Have you tried doing a PRAM and/or SMC Reset??

And do any repairs with Disk Utility.


And here's a bit of a weird one and possible solution to check out:
https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/130166/fusion-drive-constantly-spinning-up-and-down



- Patrick
======

 

[ferrarr]

When you ran Disk Utility, did you start up from the Recovery partition, or did you run it in your user account? Also, do you leave your iMac on overnight, or do you shut it down at night?

 

[dotdotdot]

And here's a bit of a weird one and possible solution to check out:
https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/130166/fusion-drive-constantly-spinning-up-and-down

That was helpful, thanks.

Does this look OK (running pmset -g in Terminal)

Last login: Tue Jul 11 16:33:53 on ttys000
vs-iMac:~ nayov$ pmset -g
System-wide power settings:
Currently in use:
hibernatemode 0
halfdim 1
womp 0
networkoversleep 0
sleep 10
Sleep On Power Button 1
ttyskeepawake 1
hibernatefile /var/vm/sleepimage
autorestart 1
disksleep 10
displaysleep 10
vs-iMac:~ nayov$

 

[pm-r]

You'll need a member who actually understands what that mall means dotdotdot, and that sure ain't me.

Just goodly gook language to me.

BTW: Was the hard drive in that Mac replaced at any point???

If so, it could possibly have its own energy saving circuitry the Mac has no control over.

Just a thought. :Blushing:






- Patrick
======

 

[dotdotdot]

Never been replaced, but is probably due after 5 years of heavy use. Might be time to put in a SSD!

 

[harryb2448]

Remember if you go the SSD route you will need a heat sensor kit from OWC.

 

[dotdotdot]

Should I get the 240 G upgrade kit ($148) or the 480 G ($240) one? I've used less than 100 gigabytes on my current HD, so storage isn't a priority. I wonder though, does an SSD need free space to operate optimally like a old fashioned spinner? I also wonder if the larger one would last longer because it's simply bigger.
https://eshop.macsales.com/shop/ssd/owc/imac-21.5-inch/2011

 

[pm-r]

I wonder though, does an SSD need free space to operate optimally like a old fashioned spinner?

By all mean go out and do some web searching but try and find some recent facts as some SSD technology has changed and improved and a large percentage of what you'll find or read is nothing more than the writers opinion rather than based on fact.

I also wonder if the larger one would last longer because it's simply bigger.

In theory maybe, as there would be more write space available to dispense the age limiting writes to, but I doubt that you'd find any difference with your use and within its, or more importantly maybe, your lifetime.

Macsales probably has some good accurate info in some of their blogs that cover SSD's info if you can find them.






- Patrick
======