I got a new 6TB WD "DC HC310", which is a "data center" disk. The vendor included a power adapter (IDE power to SATA style), but I don't have an IDE power cable on my PSU anymore. When I put the drive in an external USB box, it works just fine. So, is there a way to detect this and start it from software, or do I just need to move some power supplies around and get it to work that way?

Bob

You have not provided any information about the hardware you are connecting this SATA disk into. Have you SATA cables?

To make any drive work, you need (1) Power and (2)Signal. SATA is a signal standard. You also need a power connector. Most PSUs have several power connectors that should be appropriate.

Take it as written that the drive is actually connected to my computer with a power cable and a sata cable. Like I said in my OP, the drive works just fine when I put it in a USB drive box and plug that into a USB port. But, when I put it in the computer box (with power cable and sata cable attached), it is not recognized. It doesn't spin up.

I believe that the important thing here is that it is a "Data Center" disk, not a generic hard disk. I suspect that there is a "power up" line in a DC system that is used to shut down unused drives till they're needed. I suspect that because of the power adapter wire (old style IDE power connector to two SATA power connectors) that was included with the drive, and the note that I will have to install it. My question was whether there was any way around that.

Bob

A Data Center disk is a generic disk built to a little higher standard than the standard desktop disk. There should be no difference between activating it in a USB box or installed.

If it does not spin up that indicates a problem in the way the power is connected to it. If it spins up but cannot be recognized that usually would indicate a problem with the data cable or controller.

Most newer disks are difficult to tell if they actually spin up so when I am testing it I hold the disk in my hand with no cables attached, but the PC powered on. I then attach the power cable and can feel it spin up

Also, most newer sata disks are sata, 6 Gps transfer, and require the better cable to handle that speed.

I would suggest verifying that it actually does spin up then start digging deeper.

We don't know what your system is (32 bit or 64 bit), what OS (distro) you have, or any other details.

Please, once you connect the disk after verifying it actually does spin up, post the output of "dmesg", "lsblk", and "lspci -v" so we can see what the system actually sees and recognizes that disk as.

If you are using a 32 bit OS it is possible a disk of that size will not be recognized properly until after it has been partitioned.

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WD drives use pin 11 on the power connector for staggered spin up. Normally it should be grounded but maybe not on the internal plug. However if it detects activity it should spin up anyway I believe. Maybe the channel isn't active in the BIOS.

I found the answer on Tom's Hardware. Apparently my old CX650M PSU doesn't follow the SATA 3.3 standard.

https://www.tomshardware.com/news/hd...ure,36146.html

So apparently the molex to sata power cable splitter sent with the drive was needed?
Was that how you fixed it?

Yes. I guess I should have RTFM. But at least I know why, now. And if someone else runs into this, hopefully they'll find this thread.