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Forum Discussion
chopin70
Feb 03, 2018Virtuoso
Harddisk with Power Disable Pin (HGST)
Hi, In this page, for part selector of HGST disks: https://www.hgst.com/products/hard-drives/ultrastar-he12 They talk about SATA 3.3 specifications and the new "Power Disable Pin" feature If n...
Sandshark
Feb 03, 2018Sensei - Experienced User
It's an optional feature, so just make sure you get a drive model without it.
I doubt Netgear has tied Pin3 to 3.3V (SATA has never actually used 3.3V, AFAIK, even though the specification allowed for it), but somebody from Netgear will have to confirm. There is no adapter that would work on a NAS or server, as you cannot install an adapter on the power connection and still insert the drive all the way.
I am surprised HGST has not provided a jumper to disable the feature.
Frank888
Feb 05, 2018NETGEAR Expert
We didn't use Pin 3 on the connector of backplane (No Connection) on all desktop models.
Since Pin 3 is no connection, that is this pin is floating, no guarantee the power level.
If you use the HDD with PWDIS, it may or maynot spin up.
Highly recommand to use the HDD which is not support PWDIS feature.
- SandsharkFeb 05, 2018Sensei - Experienced User
Frank888, do you have access to a SATA 3.3 spec? Every article I see says that all that is necessary is that pin 3 not be connected to anything above 2.1V unless it's the actual PWDIS discrete. The implication is there is a pull-down on the signal, so floating the other side is just fine. In fact, HGST and others recommend just using a MOLEX 4-pin to SATA power adapter since the MOLEX has only +5 and +12V, leaving pins 1-3 floating. Personally, I'd just cut the 3.3V wire where it's possible (which should be all cases where the MOLEX adapter is also an option)..
But while it's still an option, just getting the drive version without that feature is the best move.
- chopin70Feb 05, 2018VirtuosoIt seems all 12 tb from hgst have the feature
- Frank888Feb 06, 2018NETGEAR Expert
https://www.hgst.com/products/hard-drives/ultrastar-he12
If you read from the P/N selector carefully, the upper half parts are HDD without this feature, the lower half parts are HDD with PWDIS feature.
- chopin70Feb 06, 2018VirtuosoBased on your statement above about the pin 3 not connected, it means that these disks should work on ready nas ?
I insist because in my region, resellers have only parts with the new power feature- SandsharkFeb 07, 2018Sensei - Experienced User
That is certainly the way I read HGST's documentation, as their cited work-around would not work otherwise. Whether that's true of all SATA 3.3, I cannot say, as they require you to pay for a copy of the spec. Franklly, though, if everyone in your area is only carrying the drives that have that feature, they are quite ignorant. Only a very small percentage of the devices on the planet are going to support it. Given that it requires a control pin to be added to a connector that normally only comes from the power supply (what the hell were they thinking?), I would dare say that the majority of devices still in production don't support it.
- Frank888Feb 07, 2018NETGEAR Expert
The P3 is no connection and floating. Theoretically the pin voltage cannot be up to 2.1V.
If you have the HDD with PWDIS feature on hand, you can tray it on ReadyNAS and update the result to us.
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