Hard disk do not turn off when computer is inactive

**Edgar Boucher** · 10-02-2009, 07:30 AM

Hard disks do not turn off after your computer has been inactive

**Dylon Cronje** · 10-02-2009, 07:36 AM

When Windows based PC has been inactive for a some time that is enough to create your hard disk shut down, your hard disk might not turn off.

For e.g., even though your shut down hard disk setting is set to 3 minutes, your hard disk might not logged off until your PC has been on and inactive for 15 to 20 min.
This performance can be reasoned if any drive activity happens, whether it is caused by user input or system tasks. Disk activity of any kind resets the hard drive inactive timer, and this can gain the value of time it takes for hard disk to shut down.

Windows is intended to automatically execute preservation tasks to improve performance and dependability. When your PC is on AC power and is at rest, system safeguarding tasks might be able to execute for a few minutes. These system maintenance tasks contain drive layout optimization to improve performance and organizing automatic system renovation points to gain dependability. Usually, these tasks takes place the first time you put down your PC inactive after you initiate it. These tasks ensure that the system maintains its performance and reliability even after long use. Because these tasks occupy reading and writing to the hard drive, the hard disk inactive time is reset frequently through this maintenance phase.

Other items will be able to rearrange the hard disk inactive timer. These items can contain:

• Paging operations.
• Windows Update checking the system state.
• Event logging.
• Network detection such as DHCP or Autonet.
• Third-party services such as quota software or an antivirus program.
• Scheduled tasks.
• The loading of services or drivers.

The hard drive inactive timer is reset, when these items either read from or write to the hard disk.