Using sdparm in Linux for USB Drives

1. 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]

1. 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

1. this appears to force the drive to start

$ sudo sdparm --command=start /dev/sde

1. 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]