View source for Using sdparm in Linux for USB Drives

# the drive reports something like this
 $ sudo sdparm -a /dev/sde
    /dev/sde: Seagate   FreeAgent Pro  400A
Power condition mode page:
  IDLE        0  [cha: n, def:  0, sav:  0]
  STANDBY     1  [cha: y, def:  1, sav:  1]
  ICT         0  [cha: n, def:  0, sav:  0]
  SCT       9000  [cha: y, def:9000, sav:9000]
# when the drive was idled I got the following error message.
 $ sudo sdparm --clear STANDBY -6 /dev/sde
    /dev/sde: Seagate   FreeAgent Pro  400A
change_mode_page: failed setting page: Power condition
# this appears to force the drive to start
 $ sudo sdparm --command=start /dev/sde
# and now this command works
 $ sudo sdparm --clear STANDBY -6 /dev/sde
 $ sudo sdparm -a /dev/sde
    /dev/sde: Seagate   FreeAgent Pro  400A
Power condition mode page:
  IDLE        0  [cha: n, def:  0, sav:  0]
  STANDBY     0  [cha: n, def:  1, sav:  0]
  ICT         0  [cha: n, def:  0, sav:  0]
  SCT         0  [cha: n, def:9000, sav:  0]