As from linux kernel version 2.6.22-rc1, a refactored suspend and resume support for ata disks has been merged [1] [2]. Lack of feature on prior kernels libata drivers and incorrect behavior on userland tools are causing anomalous head parking noises on a considerably number of hard disks, as various bug reports appeared in the web [3] [4]. This is not only an annoying problem but it's considered a possible risk of reduced hard disk lifespan (especially for laptop users). A page in the linux-ata home site has been set up in the to assist userland init tools developers in the migration [5]. The following extract by Tejun Heo, the author of the concerning kernel patches, illustrate the approach that should adopted in updated shutdown(8)/halt(8) implementations. > * Check whether /sys/modules/libata/parameters/spindown_compat > exists. If it does, write 0 to it. > > * For each libata harddisk { > * Check whether /sys/class/scsi_disk/h:c:i:l/manage_start_stop > exists. Iff it doesn't, synchronize cache and spin the disk > down as before. > } [1] http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=commit;h=9666f4009c22f6520ac3fb8a19c9e32ab973e828 [2] http://git.kernel.org/?p=linux/kernel/git/torvalds/linux-2.6.git;a=commit;h=920a4b1038e442700a1cfac77ea7e20bd615a2c3 [3] https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+source/linux-source-2.6.17/+bug/67810 [4] http://bugzilla.kernel.org/show_bug.cgi?id=7674 [5] http://linux-ata.org/shutdown.html Reproducible: Always Steps to Reproduce: An affected system using libata on a kernel prior to 2.6.22rc1 and an un-updated shutdown(8) implementation, shutting down. Actual Results: Anomalous hard disk head parking noise. Expected Results: Correct hard disk spindown. A selectable kernel option to alleviate the problem on affected systems until it's has been fully addressed by userland shutdown(8)/halt(8) implementations has been also merged in 2.6.22rc1 . However, as stated by Tejun Heo, author of the concerning patches: > To accelerate shutdown(8) updates, if the compat mode is in use, this > patch prints BIG FAT warning for five seconds during shutdown (the > optimal interval to annoy the user just the right amount discovered by > hours of tireless usability testing).
Please, continue in the pending bug. Thanks. *** This bug has been marked as a duplicate of bug 174373 ***