I've just purchased a FreeAgent Pro 320GB - the one with the interchangeable interfaces. I purchase the "Pro" model because it has the Firewire module, and I use many Macs some of which don't have USB2.
I've been servicing Apple computers all the way back to the Apple II and now as a consumer I should say I'm very pleased with the look, feel and build quality of these units, having sold various brands over the years.
However, I too have been suffering with the 60 second spin-down problem but would like to make a point or two.
These units do run reasonably hot, so a frequent spin-down is possibly more desirable than having them spun up all the time. That said, 60 seconds seems far too short for a default. Some report that using the Windows Tools to set the time doesn't seem to be permanent and whilst I could easily do that, I want a more permanent mac-only solution.
In trolling around the Seagate site, I found that the software for the non-pro ( but "classic" ) version of the drive does recognize the drive but all this allows me to do is use it for automated backup (which I don't really need) and perform what appears to be a SMART test and other tests over Firewire
Frustrated, I downloaded the Seagate Diags for Macintosh, even though it said it does not work with FreeAgent Pro drives.
Now the tech in me began investigating. The installer said it would install the MaxtorPowSecDriver.kext and/or the SeagatePowSec.kext kernel extensions. But all it installed was the MaxtorPowSec.kext. I looked at the archive.pax.gz inside the installer and the SeagatePowSecDriver.kext was there, so I extracted it and placed it into /System/Library/Extensions/ and fixed it's permissions. After a reboot, I discovered that the drive now had a FreeAgentPro icon. Further investigating and testing revealed that the drive now seemed to adhere to the system's "Disk Sleep Timer" as set in /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.PowerManagement.plist. From Apple's own Energy Saver preference panel, the spin-down setting is either on or off, (on defaults to 10 minutes) but you can change the time in the com.apple.PowerManagement.plist file and reboot or there may be other GUI utilities that allow you to change it.
Either way, I now have my FreeAgentPro obeying my system setting, although it seems to spin down 1-2 minutes ahead of other drives. It also has a custom icon that I like and one minute after spin-down, the "Perimeter Status Light" dims - a nice touch.
I should probably contact Seagate support and ask them to send me the link to the full FreeAgentPro installer (255MBs worth) because it isn't freely downloadable (at least not from Australia) and I would like to turn off the "Perimeter Status Light" completely - a function only available in "FreeAgent Tools" but I fear my serial number might indicate that I'm not entitled as I didn't buy the "Mac Version" of the drive, despite it being a "Pro" model with Firewire.
A tip. If you want the "Seagate Diagnostics for Mac" to install the extension without the fuss, create a folder called SeagatePowSecDriver.kext and drop it into /System/Library/Extensions/ before you run the installer.
So far, I've only tested this on 10.4.11 on a PPC. I don't know if this extension is Intel savvy or not. Perhaps others could try this and see if it works?
I wish Seagate would offer JUST the extension required to make this work for free download.
BTW, if it doesn't work, and you lose your data - it isn't my fault-I assmume no responsibility for the use of this method as a work-around.
Message Edited by buck68 on 11-23-2008 05:02 PM
