Keep external usb hard drive 'Mounted' during reboot (Solved)

[davevont]

Hello Everyone, this is my first post, hope I am in the correct forum, please be patient with me.

Acer Aspire Z5610 AIO
Windows 7 Home Premium (64bit) SP1
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q8200 @ 2.33GHz
BIOS: Phoenix P01-A4 08/10/2009
Video card: ATI Mobility Radeon HD 4500 Series
Hard Drive: Hitachi SATA-2 1000 GB
Memory: 4.00 GB

Help & Advice please.

Problem . . . . my external usb hard drive (Seagate MaxtorBlackArmor 320gb) is 'unmounted' after I reboot/restart, obviously power is lost.
It needs to stay 'mounted' so I can load a Recovery cd (Linux) from bios if I need to do a system recovery, so it is recognized. If not, it cannot be used.
With my other old desktop and my current laptop it is not aproblem, power stays to the usb's from a reboot and the external hard drive remains ‘mounted’and recognised.
I have a fair knowledge of computers and have also searched Google etc., gone through my bios for boot options, all very carefully, but cannot find an answer.
I've read & tried adjusting usb's through Device manager and Power advanced options, but nothing works.
I appreciate there is the possibility of using Windows backup, but as well as that, I prefer to do a regular backup/recovery to myexternal hard drive using Macrium Reflect, it's a very impressive programme.
Thats it, hope its clear and understandable . . . . . . . How can I keep power to usb slots on reboot like my other PCs . . . . . HELP Please.

 

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to FpcH

I know you have checked - but is there an option in the BIOS to enable "Legacy Support" and is it enabled ?
If there is a "Time out" for USB devices make sure this is set to max.

Is there an option in the boot sequence to boot from "USB Device" or "USB HDD"?
If not then I doubt that you will be able to do what you want.

If there is then make this the first boot device.

 

[davevont]

Hi KenB Many thanks for your reply,

The only thing I couldn't change/find was the "Time out" for USB Devices and I bet that's the one that could have helped.
Still. I rebooted into BIOS and it does find the Seagate Ext. HDD. but unfortunately that's it.
The problem is, as the PC is going into BIOS power is lost for a second and the Seagate logs off. Oh. the pain of a Seagate, it's "Password Protected" nothing can stop that and you can't log back on in BIOS !

Two questions for you . . . . (1) If I got a 3 way "Y" cable, IE. mini USB for the Seagate, USB to PC and a USB to an outside 5v. power supply, it would not unmount. (would it be safe ? )
(2) Would a new Ext. Hard Drive that wasn't passworded, unmount but remount, be recognised, thus staying usable ?

The things I think of laying awake in bed! Anyway, the cable idea would be cheapest option, what do you think ??

Kind Regards, and thank you for your interest

ps. would any Pics. of the BIOS help ?

 

[KenB]

Hi

Can you confirm that "Boot from USB Device / HDD" is an option.

Try taking the CMOS battery out - leave for 1 minute and replace.
This will re-set the BIOS to defaults. If you have altered the Boot Order you will probably have to go back and change it again.

Do you key in the password before it "Logs off" ?
I assume at this point you are trying to boot up from the external drive itself ?

EDIT

Please Note:
If you read my comment re. using another laptop for the 5v connection please ignore this.
It seemed logical at the time - but effectively you would be linked to 2 systems - both with a C:/ drive.

 

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, I have done quite a lot of work exploring what can and cannot be done with Macrium reflect.
I know it is a pain to download because of the size of the file, but I seriously recommend downloading the file and burning the Windows PE disk. The reason being the disk once burned contains its own mini operating system complete with the full version of Macrium reflect. That disk is a lot more versatile than the Linux disc. That means that once you boot the computer from the disk, (BIOS requires setting to boot from disk) you are then fully able to both search for and open the external hard drive, which I hope would be including entering a password. My external doesn't need one so not sure about the password side of it, but worth a look as I feel sure it should be possible.
I will also warn about not allowing updates to the Macrium Reflect software without burning a new PE disk with the updated version. I found that accepting the update to the software changes things in the next image created, a disk created with the previous version of Macrium Reflect,
sees those update changes as corruption and refuses to install the image, unfortunately only after first reformatting the computer drive so there is nothing on it.
Good job I had a spare computer to download and burn an up to date disk.
For whatever reason, and is actually warned this could happen, the Linux disk will sometimes not see or can be incompatible with, the external hard drive any way, as I found with my Buffalo external drive. Hence why I know so much about the Windows PE disk and how much better it is at reinstalling the image.

As a way to check if you can access and enter the password to start up your Seagate external drive, first do download and then burn the Windows PE disk. Shut down the computer and reboot into BIOS in order to make the BIOS boot from the disk, plug in the external if not already connected, then allow the computer to boot from the disk. Macrium will then open, you then search the computer for the hard drive, if you can find it you should then be able to input the password to access the external drives contents. If you can get this far, no need to go further unless of course you wish to install the previously created image.
Otherwise just cancel everything and shut the computer down, at that point nothing should have changed and once the disk has been removed the computer should re-boot as normal.

Nev.

 

[KenB]

Hi Nev

I take your point re PE. and it is worth a try.


davevont,
If you read through Nev's suggestion re. the PE option then try using the PE disk and let us know the result.

 

[davevont]

Hi kenB and Plastic Nev.

Many thanks to you both for your input.
Yes I will try the Windows PE Disc. sounds quite promising . . . . . . . Will come back to you.

When I talked about keeping power to the Seagate with a 5v. power supply, I was meaning a 5v. USB wall charger not a laptop, so it would be purely a power supply. Worth a try ???

Re the other question . . . yes the Seagate is passworded and open. This is the whole problem., after restart and into BIOS it clearly shows as Seagate HDD is first boot and recognised but the damn thing is logged off and can't be accessed !!

Thanks again, be back later . . . . . .

 

[KenB]

so it would be purely a power supply. Worth a try ???

If this is 5v DC then it is worth a try

 

[davevont]

Hi kenB and Plastic Nev.

Well, I downloaded Windows PE, burned it to a DVD. It was all done through Macrium Reflect, so it was associated with it.
Restarted with the Seagate HDD logged on, as it booted with the disc, power flashed off and on, obviously logged off but not worried this time.
Had a look round the options, and went into my computer.
Located the Seagate which only showed 36mb. which isn’t unusual when not logged in.
It wouldn’t launch into password with a double click, so opened it and it showed the usual minor files like Help, Manager, Launch, Autorun, etc.
Tried, ‘Launch’, ‘Autorun’, absolutely nothing opened other files, all I get is . . . . “cannot open file – no associated file found”
Uplugged the Seagate. Replugged, still the same.

I’ve had really had enough of that, I’m now banking on the 5v. outside power source when the Y cable arrives, or maybe a new NON PASSWORD harddrive. I seen a 320gb. Toshiba atASDA and if it doesn’t work I can take it back!

ps . . . . . ken I've a few chargers, mainly 5v. phone but they don't say if DC or AC . . . .

 

[KenB]

I’m now banking on the 5v. outside power source when the Y cable arrives

What have you ordered ?
Can you provide a link ?

 

[davevont]

Oh I wish you hadn't asked. . . . . . . I'ts only £1.99 delivered eBay cheapy I'll only know if It's any good when I try it !!

Hope link works . . . . . http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-Dual-Power-2-x-Type-A-to-mini-B-Cable-Lead-Wire?item=270577163852&cmd=ViewItem&_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D5%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D8626879149431518375

 

[Plastic Nev]

Drat, I was hoping that you could enter the password for the drive with the PE environment running. I take it there is no way of removing that password protection, so lets hope the external power supply will work. Otherwise it is going to be a new external drive that doesn't need a password.

There may well be a problem with that password business any way, say for example the hard drive in the computer dies on you. So fit a new replacement to then install the Macrium image onto it. (Can be done, I have)
How do you power up the external drive and enter the password with a computer that may have a brand new hard drive fitted, but nothing on it?
Same would apply if the operating system got corrupted, or most other reasons for installing the image to rescue the computer.

Just a thought and may well be a good idea to obtain an external drive just to keep all Macrium images on. Just use the Seagate drive as storage only then.

Nev.

 

[KenB]

Your link is what I visualised.
How are you going to power it?

Just a thought ............

You could take the hard drive out of a laptop ( so no confusion re. C:\ ) and try using the USB port to maintain the 5v.

 

[davevont]

Hi kenB and Plastic Nev.

Thanks again for all the help and advice . . . . . . .

Re. the 5v Chargers I have a couple of Mobile Phone Chargers with a USB female Sockets, they seem ideal, there 5v and the mA look ok as well.

Dare not try the HDD out of laptop just yet, it’s my wife’sand she would kill me!

I’ve always hated the Seagate/Maxtor Drives they’re all passworded/encrypted, fine if you’re a spy or Politian but a pain if you’re a simple human.

I contacted Acer Support about the off/on power during restart/reboot . . . don’t ever try it!!
Very,very polite reply, obviously form the far east, must be the same suggestion for everything.
“We suggest a full factory recovery” that may resolve the issue . . . “be sure to backup your personal data” Bet he’s never done it with an 18+ month old computer!
200+ updates from Microsoft, all your programmes lost etc.etc.

Last question, Have I always been lucky with past/present PCs, they have never dropped that second of power during reboot or maybe it depends on manufacturer .
What do yours do ?? Bet you both have never had to think about it!!

Speak to you both later. . . . . thanks again, this is a brilliant website.

 

[KenB]

Hi

Mobile Phone Chargers with a USB female Sockets

This will be 5v DC

What do yours do ??

Not aware that the power is dropped - but then again ...............I don't have an encrypted drive

Seriously - I cannot see any reason why the power to the USB ports would drop and then re-establish itself.
It isn't logical.

I would be interested to see if the external power source does the job.

 

[davevont]

Hi kenB and Plastic Nev

Well, the cable arrived and I’m ready to go . . . . . . . all chargers 5v 500mA ish, decided to just log in to Segate HDD and restart PC to see if it stayed mounted . . . . . . . . . . . .

First charger . . plugged in, screen went blank!! unplugged, all ok . . . . phew

Second charger . . plugged in mini USB to Seagate last, everything ok, restarted , light flickered a bit . . . . . “USB driver not Recognised” “Windows has stopped device because it has reported problems” (code 43) and no sign at all in my computer.

Third charger (LG 5v700mA) Light stayed steady on restart .. . my computer, THERE SHE WAS “Seagate” logged on READY AND WAITING ! ! !
Sweating a bit now, ready for the big test. Reboot to Linux CD (decided to test that one first) in a few seconds, there I was looking at theMacrium Reflect System Image Files !!
I took it as far as I dare without starting it and all seems ok.

Well boys, am I chuffed. . . . . . I’m still going to get the Toshiba from ASDA because it’s going to be simpler in the long run. You wouldn’t believe what people pay for second hand hard drives on eBay, so I think I’ll get most of my money back anyway.

Where’s the SORTED button on here !!

It’s been a real help talking to you Chaps, thank you so much, I’m sure I will be talking to you in the near future. Who knows, I might be offering my help to some poor soul soon ??

Regards, David

 

[Plastic Nev]

Thanks for the feedback David and glad that eventually you got the power supply that works, third time lucky eh?
As you say though an unencrypted drive is the real answer for storing images.
To answer the question about the power out from USB when computer is turned off, I have a camera that can be charged via the USB port at the same time as transferring photo's, (Handy eh?) however that stops charging when the computer is turned off. Strangely though, there is still power on the keyboard until I turn off the mains power.

Nev.

 

[KenB]

Good to hear that the "Fix" worked for you - even though it is a strange set-up