Hard Disk + case usb eject windows question

1. Why Does the LED Stay On After Ejecting?​

• Eject vs. Power Off:
  • When you "Safely Remove Hardware" in Windows, the OS disconnects the logical/operating system communication with the HDD. The drive is unmounted (removed from the OS), ensuring no more read/write operations are performed.
  • However, the USB enclosure still receives power from the USB port as long as the cable remains connected to the PC, and the PC itself is powered on.
• Steady LED Behavior:
  • The steady LED indicates the enclosure is receiving power but is not actively transmitting data to/from the drive. This behavior is standard across most enclosures.
• LED Flashing (Activity Indicator):
  • If the LED is flashing while the enclosure is still connected after ejecting, it could mean:
    • Another process or system is trying to access the drive (which might indicate improper ejection).
    • A power or firmware issue is preventing the HDD from spinning down.
  • Since you specified the LED remains on without flashing, this means the HDD is idle and the eject command successfully completed.

2. How to Verify if the 2.5" HDD is Safely Ejected and Heads Are Parked:​

• Spin-Down Check:
  • After you eject the drive, listen closely to the enclosure. You should be able to hear the HDD spin down within 5–10 seconds after ejecting. When the platters stop spinning, the heads are parked.
• Drive Letter Disappears:
  • Verify that the drive letter (e.g., E disappears from This PC or Disk Management after you eject.
• No Flashing LED:
  • A non-flashing (steady) LED after ejection confirms that data activity has ceased, and the drive is in a safe state.

3. What If the LED Behavior Changes?​

• Orico 25PW1 and Kesu 2530 Behavior:
  • Both models are known to keep the LED on steadily (not flashing) after a safe eject, as the USB port continues to power the enclosure. This is completely normal.
  • Some higher-end enclosures will allow the LED to turn off automatically after ejection, but basic enclosures like these typically don't support that feature.
• If you notice unusual LED behavior, such as flashing or dimming, it could indicate:
  • Ongoing system processes (check Task Manager for interference).
  • Power delivery inconsistencies from the USB port (less common).

4. Can You Stop the LED Without Unplugging the Enclosure?​

• Unplug the USB Cable: This is the simplest way to fully cut power to the enclosure and turn off the LED. Ejecting ensures it’s safe to unplug without data corruption.
• USB Port Behavior: Some USB ports (like powered USB hubs or desktops that provide continuous power) might keep the enclosure powered even after the PC shuts down. In that case, you may need to disable USB power delivery in the BIOS or through "Fast Startup" settings (if enabled).
• Advanced Enclosures: Some modern devices allow for "Power Off on Eject" features via the chipset, but this is uncommon in budget enclosures.

5. When Would an Always-On LED Be Wrong?​

• If the drive still shows in Windows after ejecting: This means the eject process failed, and the drive is still logically connected.
• If the drive continues spinning (audible platters): This could mean the eject command did not properly send the Stop Unit Command to spin down and park the heads. This would be abnormal behavior for Orico or Kesu enclosures.
• Persistent Access (Flashing LED): If the LED flashes, some application or service might still be polling the drive despite ejection.

6. Conclusion:​

• A steady, non-flashing LED after ejection is completely normal for your Orico 25PW1 and Kesu 2530 USB enclosures. It means the drive is idle but powered, confirming that data access has stopped and the heads are parked.
• To fully power off the drive and LED, you would need to physically unplug the USB cable or power the PC off completely, depending on the USB port's behavior.

1. Scenarios Where ATA Commands Are Sent (via the USB-SATA Bridge):​

a. Device Initialization (Connection or Power-Up):​

• When you first connect the USB 3.0 enclosure to your system, Windows initializes the device by:
  • Identifying the hardware.
  • Retrieving drive information, such as the model number, firmware version, capacity, and supported features (using ATA commands like IDENTIFY DEVICE).
• Basic ATA commands are sent during this phase to query the drive's readiness and status.

b. Data Read/Write Operations:​

• Whenever you copy, move, open, save, or otherwise interact with files on the 2.5" HDD, Windows issues USB Mass Storage Class commands (or UASP if it's supported).
• The enclosure's chipset then translates these commands into specific ATA commands such as:
  • READ SECTOR(S) and WRITE SECTOR(S) for data transfer.
  • FLUSH CACHE for ensuring data integrity during write operations.

c. Ejecting the Drive ("Safely Remove Hardware"):​

• When you use "Safely Remove Hardware," Windows sends commands to:
  1. Flush all buffers (FLUSH CACHE) to ensure no data remains unwritten.
  2. Park the HDD heads and spin down the platters using the STANDBY IMMEDIATE (or equivalent) ATA command. This ensures the drive is in a safe state before logical disconnection.
  3. Inform the USB-SATA bridge (via the Stop Unit Command) to stop active communication.
• These actions protect both the hardware and the data.

d. SMART Data Monitoring:​

• When you use tools like CrystalDiskInfo or HDD Sentinel, the software queries the drive’s SMART (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Reporting Technology) attributes by sending ATA SMART commands indirectly.
• The USB-SATA bridge translates ATA commands like SMART READ DATA to fetch health information such as:
  • Power-on hours.
  • Load/unload cycle counts.
  • Reallocated sectors and more.
• Not all USB enclosures support SMART passthrough, but higher-end chipsets (like JMicron JMS578 or ASMedia ASM1153) do.

e. Advanced Features (Trim, Secure Erase, etc.):​

• For SSDs and modern HDDs, advanced ATA commands may also be used:
  • TRIM Commands: Instruct the drive to clear unused sectors for more efficient writes (on SSDs).
  • Secure Erase: Sends an ATA command to permanently wipe all data if supported.
• These commands require both the operating system and the USB-SATA bridge chipset to support the feature.

2. Chipset Role in Translating Commands:​

• Windows communicates with the bridge chipset using Mass Storage Class commands (or UASP for faster communication).
• The chipset converts these into appropriate ATA commands for the drive to execute.

3. Examples of ATA Commands Passed by USB 3.0 Enclosure Cases:​

• IDENTIFY DEVICE: Provides drive information and supported command sets.
• STANDBY, IDLE, or STANDBY IMMEDIATE: Parks the heads and spins down the platters.
• READ DMA/WRITE DMA: The main commands for transferring data.
• SECURITY ERASE PREPARE/UNIT: Used during factory resets or secure data wipes.
• SMART Subcommands: Reporting health and diagnostics.

4. When Does Windows Not Send ATA Commands?​

• Unsupported Chipsets: If the enclosure's USB-SATA bridge lacks native ability to translate advanced ATA functions (common in cheaper models).
• Incompatible Software: Some tools may not recognize the drive or send commands correctly if the enclosure doesn’t support SMART passthrough or similar features.
• Idle State: If the HDD/enclosure is idle and no read/write requests or special queries (like SMART requests) are made, no commands are being sent.

5. Key Takeaways:​

• Windows sends ATA commands indirectly via USB 3.0 enclosures to:
  • Initialize the drive.
  • Perform read/write operations.
  • Query SMART data.
  • Safely eject and spin down the drive.
• The USB-to-SATA bridge chipset determines which ATA commands are supported. Quality enclosures (like Orico and Kesu) typically support essential commands like SMART passthrough and spin-down.

1. When Did Head Parking Become Standard?​

• 1980s to 1990s (Early Days of HDDs):
  • Hard drive manufacturers began implementing basic head parking mechanisms during the shutdown process in the late 1980s to early 1990s. While these early designs might not respond to specific "Stop Unit" commands, the core parking feature was implemented to protect the drive during power-off events.
• 2000s: Integration of Advanced Power Management (APM) and ATA Commands:
  • By the early 2000s, most drive manufacturers had integrated Advanced Power Management (APM) and Advanced Energy Control Features into HDD firmware.
  • As USB storage enclosures became common, SATA HDDs were designed to interpret ATA commands like:
    • STANDBY IMMEDIATE (used to park heads and spin down platters).
    • FLUSH CACHE (ensuring ongoing data is saved before spindown).
  • These commands became standard for interoperability with external USB setups.
• 2005 (Approx.): Full Compliance Across All Brands
  • By 2005, all major HDD manufacturers (Seagate, Western Digital, Hitachi/IBM, Toshiba, etc.) had included robust head parking functionality in 2.5” drives, making them fully compliant with the eject commands sent by Windows.
  • These drives reliably executed the ATA STANDBY IMMEDIATE and POWER DOWN commands, ensuring that heads would always be parked when the device was safely ejected or powered down.

2. Why Did This Become Standard in HDDs?​

• Protection Against Shock and Vibration:
  • As 2.5” HDDs were commonly used in portable applications (like laptops and external enclosures), head parking was essential to protect against movement while the platters were spinning.
• Integration with USB Enclosures:
  • The rise of USB external hard drives during the 2000s required drives to support safe spin-down and head parking, triggered by commands issued via USB-to-SATA bridge chipsets.
  Examples of firmware-level head parking:
• Seagate: Drives such as the Momentus series (introduced in the early 2000s) already supported head parking in response to ATA commands.
• Western Digital: The Scorpio line, available from around 2005 onward, incorporated APM and response to Stop Unit commands.
• Toshiba/Hitachi: Known for early adoption of robust parking mechanics, especially for use in portable setups.

3. Windows Compatibility and Head Parking Integration:​

• The "Safely Remove Hardware" function in Windows relies on sending commands like SYNCHRONIZE CACHE and STOP UNIT to the storage device to ensure data is saved and the drive is ready for physical disconnection.
• Starting with Windows XP (2001):
  • Full support for USB mass storage ensured these commands were properly sent to USB enclosures and translated for the HDD to:
    1. Flush caches.
    2. Spin down platters.
    3. Park heads.
• By 2005, all 2.5” HDDs followed these ATA standards, ensuring perfect compatibility with all Windows eject functions.

4. The Role of USB 3.0 Enclosures:​

• USB enclosures that implement USB Mass Storage Class or UASP (USB Attached SCSI Protocol) translate Windows' SCSI eject commands into proper ATA commands for the HDD.
• Enclosures equipped with chipsets from JMicron (e.g., JMS578), ASMedia (e.g., ASM1153), and similar chips support these commands, ensuring that modern enclosures don’t interfere with the head parking functionality.

5. Conclusion:​

• From approximately 2005 onward, all 2.5" HDDs from major manufacturers supported head parking in response to standard commands as part of their firmware.
• Windows versions starting with XP paired with USB 2.0/3.0 enclosures ensured compatibility, making head parking industry-standard by that time.

1. Does the "Safely Remove Hardware" Command Automatically Park the Heads?​

• The Windows eject command sends a series of low-level commands (e.g., SYNCHRONIZE CACHE, STOP UNIT, and STANDBY IMMEDIATE) to the USB 3.0 enclosure.
• The drive's firmware is responsible for interpreting these commands. Specifically:
  • STOP UNIT: Tells the drive to park the heads in their parking zone (safe position) to minimize risks.
  • STANDBY IMMEDIATE: Spins down the platters.
• When the drive letter disappears after ejecting (e.g., “E:” is no longer visible in Windows), the heads are already safely parked, assuming the interaction between the host system, enclosure, and HDD works correctly.
  Key Insight: You don’t need to cut power or unplug the HDD to park the heads—they are parked as part of the eject process if it works correctly.

2. What Role Does the Enclosure Case Play?​

• After the "Safely Remove Hardware" command:
  • The enclosure’s bridge chipset (e.g., JMicron JMS578, ASMedia ASM1153) translates eject-related USB Mass Storage Class commands into SATA/ATA commands (e.g., STOP UNIT, STANDBY IMMEDIATE).
  • As long as the enclosure supports these features (most modern ones do), the head parking and spin-down occur as expected.

• If the enclosure doesn’t properly send the STANDBY IMMEDIATE or STOP UNIT to the HDD:
  • The heads may fail to park properly.
  • Windows might still remove the drive letter, but the drive could remain spinning.
• Most mid-range and high-quality enclosures like Orico 25PW1 or Kesu 2530 reliably support these commands.
  Key Insight: A well-functioning enclosure ensures parked heads during the eject process. Cutting power is not necessary but becomes a fallback for cheap or faulty enclosures.

3. Does Disconnecting the USB Cable or Cutting Power Affect Head Parking?​

• If the drive is properly ejected, disconnecting the cable or cutting power will not change anything about the parked state of the heads:
  • As stated above, the eject command already parks the heads.
  • Cutting off power or unplugging the USB cable does nothing except potentially spin down platters if the drive hasn’t already done so (rare in the case of modern drives).
• Misunderstanding from Users:
  • Users who believe the heads only park upon power loss may have used poorly functioning enclosures in the past, where the eject process didn’t work correctly.
  • Cutting power after ejecting simply confirms no further actions are needed because the platters are already stopped, and the heads are parked.
  Key Insight: Cutting power is not required to park heads unless there’s a malfunction in the system (e.g., poor enclosure firmware).

4. Do Windows Power Settings Affect Head Parking?​

• When you eject, the OS ensures that all pending processes are stopped, all cache is flushed, and the drive is informed to safely stop operations.
• Power settings like selective suspend or HDD sleep timers only apply when the HDD is active and connected. These aren’t involved in the explicit "Safely Remove Hardware" sequence.
  Key Insight: Windows power settings have no direct relation to head parking during the eject process.

5. Why Do Some People Say Head Parking Only Happens After Cutting Power?​

• Inadequate USB-to-SATA Enclosures:
  • Some low-quality USB enclosures either fail to send the "stop" command to the HDD or keep the platters spinning after ejecting.
  • In such cases, manually cutting power forces the drive to stop and park its heads (this is not normal behavior, but it happens with faulty enclosures).
• Old Drives/Outdated Standards:
  • Older HDDs, manufactured before ~2005, may not fully support modern eject commands via USB enclosures and instead rely on power loss to protect the platters.
  Rest assured, with modern USB 3.0 enclosures like your Orico 25PW1 or Kesu 2530, combined with modern HDDs (post-2005 models), the heads will park correctly after ejecting.

6. Why Might the Heads Not Park After Eject?​

• Faulty or poorly designed USB enclosure case.
• Interference from running programs or background processes that prevent the eject process from completing (e.g., antivirus scanning the drive).
• Old or unsupported HDD models that lack firmware necessary to interpret certain head parking commands.

7. How Can You Confirm the Heads Are Parked?​

1. Listen for Spin-Down:
   • After ejecting, listen closely to the enclosure. You should hear the spinning sound of the platters slow down and stop within 5–10 seconds.
2. SMART Data Check:
   • Use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo to monitor the Load/Unload Cycle Count:
     • Check the value before and after the eject.
     • If it increases after ejecting, it confirms the heads were parked properly.
3. Re-Check Drive State:
   • Disconnect and reconnect the drive. If the heads were parked, the drive should power up normally without an audible "clicking" (which indicates unparked heads from abrupt movement).

Key Takeaways:​

• Eject = Head Parking: The "Safely Remove Hardware" function in Windows automatically triggers head parking on modern drives when paired with proper enclosures.
• USB Enclosure is Key: The enclosure’s chipset must correctly relay commands (e.g., STOP UNIT). Faulty enclosures may fail here, forcing some users to rely on power disconnection.
• Power Cut Not Necessary: Cutting power to the USB cable after eject is not required if the drive has been ejected properly—heads are already parked.
• Test to Verify: Use SMART tools or listen to confirm behavior if you’re unsure.

1. Which USB Enclosure Cases Do NOT Support Head Parking After "Safely Remove Hardware"?​

Enclosures That Might Not Support Head Parking:​

• Generic or Low-Quality Enclosures:
  • Many no-name, unbranded, or low-cost enclosures use outdated or poorly implemented bridge chipsets that don’t provide proper SATA passthrough or fail to convey the parking command.
  • Common signs are:
    • HDD remains spinning even after "Safely Remove Hardware."
    • LED continues blinking (indicating activity) after the OS removes the drive.
• Older USB 2.0 Enclosures:
  • Older USB 2.0 enclosures, especially those manufactured before 2007, often use basic chipsets that lack UASP support or SCSI passthrough translation. These enclosures may not pass commands to park the HDD heads.
  • Examples:
    • Enclosures using chipsets like Initio INIC-1607E or old ALi/Prolific chips from the early 2000s.

Chipsets Known for Poor Compatibility:​

• Some cheap or outdated chipsets are not well-optimized for advanced SATA/ATA commands:
  • Older Prolific PL-250x chipsets: Often struggled with proper command translation.
  • Cheap or generic chipsets lacking ATA-to-SCSI passthrough functionality (common in ultra-budget USB markets).

What Does Support Head Parking Well?​

• ASMedia ASM1153, ASM1153E, ASM235CM — Found in mid-range and premium USB 3.0 enclosures.
• JMicron JMS578 or JMS567 — Widely used in brands like Orico, capable of handling STOP UNIT/parking commands.
• Known good enclosure brands include:
  • Orico (e.g., 25PW1 Black).
  • Kesu (e.g., Kesu 2530).
  • Anker, UGREEN, etc.

2. Which 2.5" HDDs Do Not Support Head Parking After "Safely Remove Hardware"?​

Older HDDs Without Standardized Parking Support:​

• HDD head parking became a universal feature by 2005, so most 2.5" HDDs manufactured before this time may not support it properly. This includes:
  • Early laptop HDDs from the late 1990s to early 2000s.
  • HDDs using IDE/PATA interfaces (rather than SATA), which often lacked the necessary firmware for ATA commands like STANDBY IMMEDIATE.

Specific Examples of HDDs That Might Lack Parking:​

• Pre-SATA HDDs: Drives connected via IDE (e.g., older Hitachi Travelstar or early Fujitsu/IBM models).
• HDDs with incompatible or legacy firmware might fail to interpret parking commands, such as:
  • Hitachi's early Travelstar ATA-5 models (circa early-2000s).
  • Older "spin-up only" laptop HDDs that relied on the host system shutting off power rather than specific commands.

Cheap Refurbished/Counterfeit HDDs:​

• Some refurbished drives (often sold via platforms like AliExpress) may have:
  • Tampered or damaged firmware.
  • Reused parts (e.g., platters swapped from failing drives) that no longer function correctly.
• These drives may fail to follow head parking commands even if they appear healthy through SMART diagnostics.

Modern HDD Compatibility (Post-2005):​

• Nearly all modern SATA 2.5" HDDs handle head parking correctly, as they universally support critical ATA commands (FLUSH CACHE, STANDBY IMMEDIATE, etc.).
• Examples of Fully Compatible 2.5" HDDs:
  • Seagate Momentus series.
  • Western Digital Blue/Scorpio series.
  • HGST (formerly Hitachi) Travelstar or Apple-branded HDDs.
  • Toshiba MQ series.
  • Any mainstream SATA 2.5" HDD manufactured since 2005.

3. How to Identify Problematic Combinations (Enclosures + HDDs)?​

Testing Enclosures:​

1. Listen for Spin-Down After Eject:
   • After ejecting the drive, listen closely. A compatible enclosure and HDD should result in:
     • Platters spinning down within 5–10 seconds.
     • Drive completely silent afterward.
   • If the drive keeps spinning or the LED keeps flashing, the enclosure might not be passing the proper commands.
2. SMART Data Monitoring:
   • Use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo to monitor the Load/Unload Cycle Count:
     • Eject the drive.
     • Reconnect the enclosure, and check if the unload count has increased. If it hasn’t, the heads likely weren’t parked.

Testing HDD Compatibility:​

• Use utilities like HD Tune or HDDScan to manually send power management commands (STANDBY IMMEDIATE). If the heads don’t park, the drive firmware may not support these features.

4. Best Practices for Avoiding Issues:​

• Buy Known-Quality Enclosures:
  • Ensure you’re using a modern USB 3.0 enclosure with a reliable chipset (e.g., JMicron JMS578 or ASMedia ASM1153).
• Use HDDs Manufactured After 2005:
  • Avoid refurbished or excessively old HDDs. Drives from major brands like Seagate, WD, Toshiba, or HGST since 2005 will work perfectly.

Conclusion:​

1. Incompatible USB Enclosures:
   • Cheap or generic USB enclosures with outdated chipsets (e.g., old Prolific or Initio models) may not support head parking.
   • Older USB 2.0 enclosures are also less reliable for parking commands.
2. Incompatible 2.5" HDDs:
   • Drives from before 2005 or IDE (PATA) drives may lack head parking.
   • Modern SATA drives from all major brands (post-2005) universally support parking.

1. What Do They Change to Show Low Usage Hours and Good Health?​

a. Resets or Modifications of SMART Data:​

• SMART attributes like:
  • Power-On Hours: Resets this to make the drive appear almost unused (e.g., <50 hours, even if the drive was heavily used for years).
  • Reallocated Sector Count: Cleared or hidden so bad sectors are not reported.
  • Load/Unload Cycle Count: Reduced to give the appearance that the heads have only been parked a few times.
• How They Do This:
  • They use factory tools (leaked or proprietary) or software like HDAT2 or Victoria HDD, which can directly reset or modify SMART values stored in the HDD's firmware.

b. False Firmware Updates:​

• Drives may be flashed with customized or even mismatched firmware to alter their reported characteristics:
  • The firmware can hide or override critical SMART errors.
  • It can prevent proper reporting of features like head parking or power management.
• Signs of Tampering:
  • The drive's reported model name and firmware version might look unusual or generic.
  • SMART data may look suspiciously pristine (no errors, oddly low power-on hours, etc.).

c. Platter Swapping or Frankenstein Drives:​

• Drives may contain reused or swapped parts (e.g., platters from failing drives combined with new controller boards). While these might pass basic diagnostics, they are often unreliable.
• A swapped controller board can result in mismatched firmware (or disabled features like head parking and power management).

2. Possible Removal or Disabling of Features:​

a. Power Management:​

• Why Disable It?
  • To avoid previous issues like improper spin-downs or head parking errors that caused SMART warnings (e.g., excessive Unload/Load cycles).
  • Some tools simply disable power management features as a quick "fix" to mask underlying issues.
• What Gets Affected?
  • Spin-Down Settings: The HDD might not spin down during idle periods, leading to more wear on platters and heads.
  • Advanced Power Management (APM): This might be disabled altogether.
  • ATA Commands Ignored: Commands like STANDBY or power-related ATA features may not function properly (or at all).

b. Head Parking:​

• Why Disable It?
  • Head parking (via STANDBY IMMEDIATE or STOP UNIT commands) increases the Load/Unload Cycle Count, which appears in SMART data. If the drive had a high number of cycles, they might disable this feature to prevent further increases or to stop it from becoming a red flag.
• What Happens If Disabled?
  • The heads might remain over the platters during idle times, putting the drive at higher risk of scratches or damage from movement.
  • Aggressively parked heads will also make the drive seem louder, which some users might consider a negative, prompting tampering from sellers to make the drive appear quieter.

c. SMART Monitoring:​

• Certain refurbishers disable specific SMART attributes or substitute incorrect values to keep the buyer from noticing cumulative wear, such as:
  • Reallocated Sectors:
    • Bad sectors on the platter are reallocated to spare sectors, something that SMART typically tracks. If this value is hidden/cleared, the buyer can’t tell if the drive is dangerously close to failure.
  • Power-On Hours:
    • Resetting this gives the illusion of a lightly used drive.

3. What Drives Are Most Likely to Be Tampered With?​

a. Refurbished Enterprise Drives:​

• Enterprise-grade drives (e.g., HGST Ultrastar or Seagate Exos) are widely used by data centers. After years of 24/7 operation, these drives are often resold after being "refurbished." These usually exhibit:
  • Misleading SMART data.
  • Disabled power management (due to mismatched settings/firmware from server environments).

b. Older HDD Models or End-of-Life Products:​

• Drives discontinued by manufacturers are prone to tampering since they’re harder to trace by firmware updates or model identifiers.
• Many refurbished Western Digital Scorpio Blue or Seagate Momentus drives may fall into this category.

4. Risks of Tampered or Refurbished HDDs:​

• Head Parking Disabled: Increased wear and risk of head crashes.
• Overwritten SMART Data: You won’t know the true health of the drive.
• Frequent Failures: Drives might fail unexpectedly because inherent defects have been masked.

5. How Can You Identify Refurbished or Tampered Drives?​

a. Inspect SMART Data Carefully:​

• Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo, GSmartControl, or HD Tune:
  • Look for oddly "clean" values, such as very low Power-On Hours and no indication of bad sectors (especially for older drives).
  • Watch for Load/Unload Cycle Counts that don’t increase when parking commands are sent.

b. Check Firmware and Model Number:​

• Verify the reported model number and firmware version against the manufacturer’s database. Any unknown or mismatched versions are red flags.

c. Perform Load/Unload Cycle Tests:​

• Use a utility like HDDScan to send commands (STANDBY IMMEDIATE and START UNIT) while monitoring the Load/Unload Cycle Count in SMART data:
  • If the value does not increment or the drive does not audibly spin down, head parking may be disabled.

d. Benchmark and Stress Test:​

• Use ATTO Disk Benchmark or CrystalDiskMark to test transfer speeds and behavior during large file reads/writes. Drives with mismatched parts may perform inconsistently under heavy workloads.

6. Tips to Avoid Buying Problematic Drives:​

• Buy From Reputable Sellers: Only purchase HDDs from trusted vendors or directly from manufacturers/resellers.
• Avoid “Too Good to Be True” Deals: If a drive is being sold for suspiciously cheap prices with claims of “almost zero usage,” be cautious.
• Test Immediately: Upon receiving the drive, run SMART and loading tests outlined above to verify its true condition.

Conclusion:​

1. Used/refurbished 2.5" HDDs on AliExpress often have SMART data reset, head parking or power management disabled, or firmware tampered with.
2. These modifications make them appear healthy with low power-on hours but mask underlying wear and risks.
3. It’s best to verify drives thoroughly with tools like CrystalDiskInfo and avoid suspiciously cheap listings.

How to Verify if the Firmware is Genuine:​

1. Check Official Sources:
   • Western Digital does not provide direct firmware downloads for their consumer drives (HDDs like the WD10JPVX). The firmware is typically embedded at the factory and rarely needs updates.
   • However, 05.01A05 aligns with known firmware versions for this drive, as reported by users with genuine WD drives.
2. Verify Drive Model and Serial Number:
   • Use Western Digital’s Product Support page:
     1. Input the drive’s serial number printed on the label.
     2. If the drive is genuine, it will show warranty and product details. If it’s refurbished or counterfeit, the serial might show as invalid or pre-expired.
3. SMART Data Comparison:
   • Use a tool like CrystalDiskInfo, HDDScan, or Sentinel to check the firmware and model number listed in its SMART data.
   • Ensure the firmware and model number shown in the SMART report match the label physically printed on the device. If the data looks generic, such as a mismatch between the printed label and what appears in the software, it could indicate tampering.
4. Signs of Firmware Tampering Post-Refurbishing:
   • Drives with generic or mismatched firmware often show the following:
     • Unexpectedly "clean" SMART data (no usage hours, 0 bad sectors).
     • Model mismatches (e.g., showing as another WD or even another brand).
     • Missing or invalid attributes in SMART tests.
5. Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostics:
   • Download Western Digital’s official diagnostic tool (Data Lifeguard Diagnostic for Windows).
   • Run both the SMART test and an extended test to evaluate:
     • Whether the drive is detected as a Western Digital product.
     • Whether it passes integrity checks. If the firmware has been tampered with, it may fail these diagnostic tools or behave unexpectedly.

Why This Drive May Be Refurbished or Counterfeit:​

• It is highly likely that the drive is refurbished. Sellers on platforms like AliExpress often sell used or heavily modified drives as “new.”
• Firmware like 05.01A05 may have been retained or flashed anew to make the drive appear genuine.
• Refurbishers may have:
  • Reset the SMART data (e.g., to mask the real power-on hours or reallocated sectors).
  • Swapped the PCB (controller board) or even tampered with firmware features.

What Features Might Be Affected by Tampered Firmware?​

• Head Parking and Power Management:
  • Head parking might not function properly if the firmware doesn’t correctly respond to the required STOP UNIT or STANDBY IMMEDIATE commands.
• SMART Monitoring:
  • Attributes like reallocated sectors, power-on hours, and load/unload cycle counts might be reset, hidden, or replaced with fake values.
• Performance Issues:
  • The drive may not perform as expected under load, particularly if non-matching parts (e.g., a PCB from another model) were installed.

Steps to Confirm Firmware and Drive Authenticity:​

1. Check SMART Attributes:
   • Look at SMART values in a tool like CrystalDiskInfo:
     • Confirm realistic values for attributes like power-on hours (0 is a red flag unless you formatted it recently) and reallocated sectors.
     • Check the firmware version (05.01A05) matches the one printed on the drive label.
2. Run WD Tools:
   • Use WD Data Lifeguard Diagnostic to confirm:
     • Compatibility with Western Digital’s testing tools.
     • Model and serial numbers returned by software tools align with the physical label.
3. Serial Number and Authenticity Check:
   • Use WD’s online warranty check at:
     Western Digital Warranty.
     • Submit the drive’s serial number (printed on the label). If it comes up as “no warranty” or doesn’t match the product family, it may be counterfeit or refurbished.
4. Check Disk Performance:
   • Use CrystalDiskMark or similar tools to benchmark the HDD’s read/write performance. If speeds are significantly below those expected for your WD Blue drive (e.g., under 90 MB/s sequential read/write), it could be using mismatched or inferior internals.

Conclusion:​

• Firmware 05.01A05 appears to be a legitimate firmware version for the WD10JPVX-08JC3T5, but purchasing the drive from AliExpress raises concerns about authenticity and tampering.
• To confirm it’s genuine:

• Check SMART data for inconsistencies (e.g., suspiciously low usage hours or reset sector attributes).
• Use Western Digital diagnostic tools and verify the serial number on WD’s website.
  • Drives purchased through AliExpress are often heavily refurbished or counterfeit, and tampered firmware may disable key features like power management or head parking.

1. Key SMART Attributes to Monitor for Head Parking​

a. Load/Unload Cycle Count (Attribute ID 193 or "C1"):​

• This SMART attribute shows how many times the HDD's read/write heads have been loaded or unloaded (i.e., "parked" and "unparked").
• How It Works:
  • When the heads are parked (using commands like STANDBY IMMEDIATE), this value increments by 1.
  • If parking works correctly during idle or after ejecting the drive in Windows ("Safely Remove Hardware"), you should see this value increase.
• What to Look For:
  • Run CrystalDiskInfo, note the Load/Unload Cycle Count value.
  • Perform actions like safe eject or allow the drive to idle for a while to observe if the count increases during head parking.
  • If the value doesn't increase despite expected head parking events, the feature may be disabled or malfunctioning.

b. Power-On Hours (ID 9 or "09"):​

• Tracks the total number of hours the drive has been operational. Useful as a reference to gauge if the drive is heavily refurbished.
• This attribute doesn't directly show head parking functionality but can indicate tampered SMART data (e.g., parking might not be working on a "heavily used" drive showing unrealistically few operational hours).

c. Power Cycle Count (ID 12 or "0C"):​

• Shows how often the drive encountered power events like turning on/off or spinning up after idle mode.
• If the count increases after parking or resuming operation, it reflects that the drive is responding correctly to idle or safe eject states.

d. Reallocated Sector Count (ID 5 or "05"):​

• Not directly related to head parking but useful to verify if excess wear has occurred due to improper parking (e.g., caused by frequent head crashes).

2. **Steps to Check if Head Parking is Working in CrystalDiskInfo:​

1. Before Safe Eject or Idle Test:
   • Open CrystalDiskInfo and take note of the current value for Load/Unload Cycle Count (Attribute ID 193).
   • Perform an interaction, such as working with files, to ensure the heads are in use (not already parked).
2. Eject the Drive (Windows Safely Remove Hardware):
   • Eject the USB enclosure containing the 2.5" HDD using the "Safely Remove Hardware" option in Windows.
   • This action should send the STOP UNIT or STANDBY IMMEDIATE commands.
   • After ejecting, disconnect and reconnect so you can check if the Load/Unload Cycle Count has incremented.
3. Idle Parking Test:
   • Allow the drive to go idle by changing power settings or leaving it inactive for a set period (e.g., enabling sleep settings for HDD after 5 minutes of inactivity via Power Options > Advanced Settings).
   • Refresh CrystalDiskInfo to check if Load/Unload Cycle Count has increased, indicating successful parking during idle mode.
4. Reconnect Drive Analysis:
   • After reconnecting, you should see an increase in Load/Unload Cycle Count. If the count does not increase or remains static after multiple parking/unparking events, head parking might not be functioning.

3. Typical "Healthy" Behavior in load/unload cycles​

• Modern 2.5" HDDs typically have very high limits on the maximum load/unload cycle counts. For example:
  • Drives like Western Digital Blue models often specify a limit of 300,000–600,000 cycles.
  • A minor increase during parking operations is normal (e.g., one or two increments per eject or idle state).

4. If Head Parking Doesn't Work:​

• Disabled Parking:
  • Some drives or refurbished HDDs have parking features disabled in the firmware (common in certain drives sold via refurbishing sellers like those on AliExpress).
• Tampered Firmware/SMART Data:
  • Drives with reset or manipulated SMART data may not increment Load/Unload Cycle Count values even when parking events occur.
• Faulty USB Enclosure:
  • If the USB enclosure does not relay the parking commands (STANDBY IMMEDIATE) correctly, the heads will remain active even after safe eject.

Solution:​

• Test the bare drive outside the enclosure by connecting it directly via SATA interface to a PC or through another reliable enclosure.
• Use tools that let you manually issue STANDBY IMMEDIATE commands (e.g., HDDScan) and observe if parking is functional.

5. Tools Other Than CrystalDiskInfo:​

• HDDScan (Manual Testing):
  • Allows sending specific ATA commands like STANDBY to verify head parking in real time.
• HD Tune/Smartmontools:
  • Can monitor SMART attributes, focusing on load/unload cycles and idle states.

Key Points:​

1. Use Load/Unload Cycle Count in CrystalDiskInfo to monitor head parking events.
2. Head parking should increase the Load/Unload Cycle Count after an eject or idle state if functioning correctly.
3. Lack of change in SMART data may indicate issues with:
   • Firmware alterations (e.g., disabled parking).
   • Enclosure failures to forward proper commands.
   • Tampered SMART attributes (common in refurbished drives).

1. Built-in Shock Resistance Features in the WD10JPVX:​

1. Head-Parking Mechanism:
   • The drive uses an automatic head-parking feature to protect the sensitive read/write heads when the drive is idle or spun down (e.g., during power-off or idle mode).
   • In parking mode, the heads are moved off the platters into a "parking zone," reducing the risk of platter scratches during movement or sudden shocks.
2. G-Force Protection:
   • Like most Western Digital 2.5" drives, the WD10JPVX incorporates G-Force Protection sensors in its firmware and hardware design:
     • These sensors can detect excessive movement or vibration and react to mitigate head movement over the platters.
     • If a shock event is detected, the heads are parked immediately to minimize risk during the shock period.
   • G-Force sensors are standard for drives intended for laptops and light-duty portable devices.
3. Shock Resistance Ratings:
   • Western Digital provides two key shock resistance ratings for their mechanical drives:
     • Operating shock: 400 G for 2 milliseconds.
     • This means the drive can withstand brief shocks during active use (e.g., small bumps).
     • Non-operating shock: 1000 G for 2 milliseconds.
     • When powered off or idle with parked heads, the drive can handle more significant shocks.
   • These ratings are standard for mechanical HDDs and provide reasonable protection in portable use cases, but they are not designed for frequent drops or severe impacts.
4. Internal Structural Design:
   • Western Digital drives use enhanced mounting systems to protect delicate internal parts like the platters and spindle. The WD Blue series, in particular, prioritizes lightweight designs with extra engineering for shock and vibration resilience.

2. Limitations of Shock Resistance in HDDs:​

• Moving Parts:
  • The drive relies on spinning platters and extremely precise head positions, making it significantly more vulnerable to damage compared to SSDs, which have no moving parts.
• Susceptibility to Damage During Operation:
  • The drive is most vulnerable when powered on and actively reading or writing data. A strong shock during these moments can cause:
    • Head-Platter Contact: Scratches that lead to drive corruption or failure.
    • Spindle misalignment or bearing damage.

3. How Much Shock Protection Should You Expect?​

• Moderate Protection:
  • The drive is tolerant to small vibrations or jostling, making it suitable for laptops, external enclosures, or gaming consoles (when handled carefully).
  • Examples:
    • Accidental bumps on the desk or minor movements while the drive is idle should be fine.
• Severe Shocks Are Dangerous:
  • Dropping the drive (even in an enclosure) while it’s operating could cause mechanical damage.
  • While it can handle up to 1000 G non-operating, this doesn’t mean it’s indestructible. Repeated or strong shocks will eventually degrade performance and reliability.

4. Recommendations to Maximize Durability Against Shocks:​

1. Use the Drive in an Enclosure or Laptop with Shock Absorption:
   • If using the drive in a USB 3.0 enclosure, choose one with rubber padding or shock-absorbing mounts to reduce external impacts (e.g., models by Orico, UGREEN).
   • For laptops, ensure it’s mounted correctly in a slot with anti-vibration pads.
2. Avoid Shocks During Operation:
   • If you are moving the enclosure or laptop, ensure the drive is parked:
     • Safely ejecting and spinning down (idle state) reduces the risks of head-platter contact.
3. Consider performance monitoring:
   • Tools like CrystalDiskInfo can monitor the health of the HDD (e.g., SMART data).
   • Attribute BF: G-Sense Error Rate tracks shock events. If this value increases frequently, it indicates repeated exposure to shocks, which could lead to failure.
4. For High-Risk Use, Consider an SSD Instead:
   • If you need true resistance to drops, vibrations, or sudden impacts, replacing the HDD with an SSD is a better choice. SSDs have no moving parts, making them nearly immune to physical shock.

5. Summary of WD10JPVX Shock Resistance:​

• Built-in Features:
  • Head-parking mechanism.
  • G-Force sensors and firmware protection.
  • Shock ratings: 400 G (operating) and 1000 G (non-operating).
• What It Can Handle:
  • Minor bumps and vibrations during operation.
  • Significant but brief shocks (up to 1000 G) when powered off or idle.
• What It Cannot Handle:
  • Severe shocks or drops, especially while in use (operating).
  • Repeated exposure to strong vibrations (e.g., on unstable surfaces).

1. Built-in Shock Resistance Features of HGST HTS541010A99E662​

1. Head-Parking Mechanism:
   • The HTS541010A99E662 features an automatic head-parking system, which moves and locks the drive's read/write heads off the delicate platter surface when the drive detects it's idle, powered off, or subjected to a shock event.
   • This mechanism reduces the risk of scratching the platter surface during sudden impacts.
2. G-Sensors (Shock Protection Mechanism):
   • This drive comes with integrated G-sensors that detect vibrations and shocks and quickly adjust the head positioning or park the heads to prevent damage.
   • When a shock event is sensed, the drive can stop operations temporarily to protect data integrity and the physical drive.
3. Shock Resistance Ratings:
   • HGST provides the following shock resistance specifications for this drive:
     • Operating Shock: 400 G for 2 milliseconds.
     • This applies when the drive is powered on and actively in use. Moderate shocks, such as bumps or light movement, are tolerated.
     • Non-Operating Shock: 1000 G for 1 millisecond.
     • The drive can handle more severe shocks while powered off or idle, as the heads are parked in a safe position.
   • These ratings align with industry standards for laptop and portable HDDs.
4. Durability and Design:
   • HGST drives are often considered superior in durability to competing models like Seagate and Western Digital (WD Blue equivalents) due to stricter manufacturing tolerances and additional design reinforcements.
   • Internally, the HTS541010A99E662 uses sturdy components and high-precision mechanical parts, making it more resistant to wear and tear caused by vibrations.

2. Can It Handle Shocks During Daily Use?​

Moderate Shocks are OK:​

• The drive can survive minor shocks (e.g., small bumps, table vibrations, or light handling in an enclosure) while operating, thanks to the G-sensor and head-parking mechanisms.

Caution with Drops and Severe Vibrations:​

• The drive is much more vulnerable during active operation when the platters are spinning, and the heads are positioned over the platter surface.
• A serious jolt, such as a high drop or strong impact, may result in head-platter contact (causing scratches or physical platter damage) or even spindle misalignment.

Best Use Case:​

• This model is designed for laptops and external HDD enclosures and tolerates limited movements. It’s not suitable for rugged applications where frequent shocks, drops, or vibrations occur.

3. Comparing Shock Ratings with Other HDDs​

• The HTS541010A99E662 offers industry-standard shock resistance:
  • Operating shock (400 G) and non-operating (1000 G) are the same as competing drives like the:
    • Western Digital WD10JPVX (also 400 G/1000 G).
    • Seagate Momentus or Barracuda Laptop HDDs.
• HGST's reputation for durability gives it a slight edge compared to some competitors, especially in environments where light vibrations are frequent.

4. Recommendations to Protect Against Shocks​

1. Use a Shock-Absorbing Enclosure:
   • If you're using the drive in an external USB 3.0 enclosure (e.g., Orico, Kesu), make sure it offers shock-absorbing pads or rubber mounts to minimize vibration transmission to the drive.
2. Spin Down Before Moving the Drive:
   • Always use Safely Remove Hardware in Windows to eject the drive before moving it. This ensures the platters stop spinning, and the heads are safely parked, reducing the risk of damage.
3. Avoid Operation on Unstable Surfaces:
   • Keep the drive on a stable, vibration-free surface (e.g., avoid wobbly tables or moving vehicles while the drive is active).
4. Backup Critical Data:
   • Since mechanical drives are inherently more fragile than SSDs, ensure important data is backed up regularly to another location.
5. Vibration or Shock-Prone Use Cases:
   • If the drive might experience frequent shocks or drops (e.g., travel, rugged environments), consider switching to an SSD, which is immune to physical shocks thanks to its lack of moving parts.

5. Summary of HGST HTS541010A99E662 Shock Resilience:​

• Built-in Features:
  • Automatic head parking.
  • G-sensors to detect vibrations and shocks.
  • Industry-standard shock tolerance (400 G operating, 1000 G non-operating).
• Shock Resistance Performance:
  • Can tolerate minor shocks during operation and moderate impacts when idle or powered off.
  • Vulnerable to severe drops or strong vibrations, particularly while in use.
• Best Practices:
  • Always eject or spin down the drive before moving.
  • Use the drive in shock-absorbing enclosures or laptops with padded mounts.