External HDD connection problem

[henrikpw]

When i connect my hdd to my raspberry pi it connects and works, but after a few moments it stop working and unmounts. When it unmounts it also make a click noise. When connected to my pc it works without a problem.

My hardware is the following:
Raspberry Pi Rev 2 512mb
WD My Passport 500gb

Hope anyone can help me

[henrikpw]

Edit: A few moments after it unmounts, it mounts again and work for some time, then it unmounts again.
It keeps doing that.

[DirkS]

It's probably not only unmounting all the time, but it's actually disconnected / connected from the USB port. You can check that in the system log (using dmesg).

Did you plug the HD directly in the Pi? If yes than try using a powered hub.

Gr.
Dirk.

[henrikpw]

I have it connected directly to the raspberry pi. Is it because it does not get enough power?
I have seen a video where the same kind of hdd is connected directly to a raspberry pi.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vc6Jtoi8PA

Why does this person not a have any problems?

[stevhorn5]

I have it connected directly to the raspberry pi. Is it because it does not get enough power?
I have seen a video where the same kind of hdd is connected directly to a raspberry pi.
Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Vc6Jtoi8PA

Why does this person not a have any problems?

Well, you don't know whether or not he's having problems, but my external hdd won't even spin up when connected directly to the RPi. Since a 2.5" sata drive requires @0.5A to work, suffice it to say that an external usb hub or power source is required.

[henrikpw]

When it is connected, you can hear that it tries to spins up, then it makes a click noise and then it tries again to spin up (It's not broken. Works fine on my pc). It must be the power that is the problem, but why can the raspberry pi not give enough power, even with a 2A power supply?

[stevhorn5]

I believe it has to do with usb limitations on the RPi (I'm not an expert on these things). It's pretty safe to say that the clicks you hear are the drive trying to start up and then not having sufficient current to spin the drive. I seem to recall reading that a sata drive draws 1.2A when starting up. My understanding is that usb ports generally deliver 0.5A.

[obcd]

The Pi has a self resetting polyfuse on it's input. The current going to the usb ports also passes that fuse. The older rev. 1 Pi's also had 2 additional fuses for the usb port power lines. Likely, your fuse is tripping due to the startup current of your harddrive.

[henrikpw]

Ok, that explains why it reboots when the hdd is plugged in. So my solution is a powered usb hub.
Thanks for the help

[Lob0426]

Go to a powered USB hub, or use a USB HDD that has its own power. I cannot even get a HDD to spin up plugged directly to a RasPi. My guess is that the F3 polyfuse is warming up then you get disconnected.

[drukar21]

Hi All

I have the same problem. I use the power supply(2000mA)/RPi v2 512 mb Ram/passive USB hab/wireless mouse and the keyboard with one receiver, connected directly to RPi.

In case of connection the external HDD to the USB_hab all works fine. But if I connect to the hab any flash card the HDD is disconnected The HDD has external supply.

The USB_hab works fine with my netbook.

Cheers,
Pavel