Bug#579653: linux-image-2.6.26-2-686: Seagate FreeAgent USB drive has corrupted file system on wakeup after sleep

[Ben Hutchings <ben@decadent.org.uk>]

On Thu, Apr 29, 2010 at 05:40:51PM +0300, Yitzchak Gale wrote:
> Package: linux-2.6
> Version: 2.6.26-21lenny4
> Severity: normal
> 
> This is one of the infamous drives that spins down
> after a period of inactivity. The kernel supports
> restarting the drive when it is accessed after
> this happens. These drives are now widespread in
> the marketplace.
[...]

It is perfectly normal for drives to save power by spinning down when
idle.  There is even a standard way to control this, though it is not
so well standardised for USB-attached drives.  The next attempt to
access the drive will have to wait for the drive to spin up again, but
it will normally be successful.

It appears that the drive is failing to spin-up properly, which is a
hardware problem.  Please try running the diagnostic program for the
drive (this may require Windows).

Ben.

-- 
Ben Hutchings
We get into the habit of living before acquiring the habit of thinking.
                                                              - Albert Camus