external HDD for Time M keeps spinning all the time

[wildernessbob]

I just hooked up an external HDD to use with time machine and the disc spins constantly, even when no back up is occurring. if i turn automatic back ups, it stops. (actually, no it doesn't) this can't be good for the longevity of the drive. is there a setting to stop this?

 

[BrianBaughn]

What make/model is the external drive…and did you format it before using it?

 

[wildernessbob]

What make/model is the external drive…and did you format it before using it?

it's a western digital Black 1 TB WD10SPSX

 

[BrianBaughn]

Did you format it? Those drives come with their own software that, not surprisingly, screw things up. The general advice is to erase/format the drive HFS+ before you start using it with a Mac.

 

[wildernessbob]

Did you format it? Those drives come with their own software that, not surprisingly, screw things up. The general advice is to erase/format the drive HFS+ before you start using it with a Mac.

I did format it to OS extended journaled
[automerge]1588634519[/automerge]

I did format it to OS extended journaled

it even keeps spinning after i've unmounted it.

 

[BrianBaughn]

It still gets power when it's unmounted but connected but it sounds like the firmware and hardware on that thing don't get along. You might need some sort of deep diagnostic application to see if the drive itself is bad…but that may only work if the housing/electronics part is still OK, which it may not be.