i have found two ways to address the issue. before i mention what they are, let me just say i am in the midst of returning my drive to seagate and awaiting my replacement (rma). This stupid sleep issue has resulted in the drive endlessly clicking. i was able to backup all the data off of it, but oi what a pain. silliest feature i have ever seen. to not include software with the drive that can easily disable it on pc AND mac is just irresponsible of seagate.
anyway, i needed to say that.
workaround 1
(discovered it too late for my 2tb freeagent)
go to http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/system_disk_utilities/keepdrivespinning.html and download the freeware app called Keep Drive Spinning
it is a mac utility that "creates a launch agent that tells OS X to touch a hidden file on the selected drive periodically so that the drive stays awake."
I set mine to work every 30 seconds. very handy for all drives with idiotic sleep functionality hard coded inside. i run Snow leopard 10.6.4 so it's fully compatible.
possible confirmed fix 1
(haven't tested this yet)
download FreeAgent™ | Desk Software
this is the windows version.
I have a windows xp vm on my mac pro from which to run this utility, and the drive is actually formatted in ntfs as well. (i don't have the mac version of this drive even though i use it exclusively with my mac pro)
apparently the software can do the following:
"The following procedure provides the steps necessary to add the FreeAgent Tools software to your FreeAgent Desktop drive. This software includes diagnostics, power settings adjustment utility and a file backup utility."
STEPS
1. download the software from the link above
2. say "no thanks" to initial backup
3. click settings button on the bottom of the window
4. click the arrow next to "adjust power settings"
5. select "never" for the power saving mode field
6. click ok and you're done.
I am frikkin hoping that means i can disable this stupid power save business.
** To use it, your drive may need to be formatted in a version recognizable by windows like ntfs or fat 32 (unconfirmed)
*** if you have access to a windows pc, but your drive is formatted in hfs, you might be able to use the program called "MacDrive" to be able to read/write to your hfs formatted freeagent drive from your windows pc (unconfirmed if it is compatible with seagate software). it is unfortunately a commercial package.
**** If you are a user of protools, you have the option of installing a tool during setup that grants the ability to read hfs formatted drives from windows. Obviously that would be for the protools for windows setup. 7.4 and up. (unconfirmed)
Hope this was helpful. I'm gonna go try this free agent software now. SUCCESS!!
Setting the freeAgent's power save mode once changes something internally on the drive, not the host system, meaining it will remain in effect no matter which system you connect it to afterwards.
So once i set the power save feature of the drive using the software... Presto Change-o no more green-o crud-o.
since i was so helpful, seagate should refund me the 20 dollars i paid for the advanced return shipment of my 2tb freeagent drive replacement, since you know in all honesty it was their irresponsible and poorly documented decision to incorporate a hardware sleep timer on their drive enabled by default.
