Hibernate problem with external hard drive

I have my computer run an automatic backup each night to my USB connected external hard drive then automatically hibernate.

However, I always need to remove the USB connection to my external HD before turning my computer on in the morning, or else it would just display a blinking dot when turned on.

When I do forget about removing the external hd, I am forced to manually shutdown the computer. Once its turned back on, I get a message saying the resume from hibernate wasn't successful, and it asks me if I want to retry or delete the hibernation file. I choose to retry (having already disconnected the HD) and Vista resumes fine.

I'm wondering how to resume Vista from hibernate without having to always disconnect my external HD prior to turning it on. The external hard drive is Western Digital and I'm using Vista Service Pack 1. Also, my sister's laptop resumes fine from hibernate with the external HD plugged in.

One last thing, my computer resumes fine when put to sleep with the external HD plugged, its only hibernate that this happens.

Hi jim817

I don't know if this will help or not
but it's worth a look if you haven't
seen it already.

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/63567-power-options-sleep-mode-problems.html

I hope it helps!

Later Ted

Oh yea, I've already seen that.

Thank you though for trying.

jim817 Can you check your external HD`s manufacturer website for device drivers?
Another option is changing the sleep-type of the computer, check your bios is set to either S1-Power on Suspend or S3-Suspend to Ram

My WD800SExternal USB works flawlessly with S3 mode even better with vista taking 10seconds to restore a fully functioning desktop with all the programs I was using from the last running session.

dmex said:

jim817 Can you check your external HD`s manufacturer website for device drivers?
Another option is changing the sleep-type of the computer, check your bios is set to either S1-Power on Suspend or S3-Suspend to Ram

My WD800SExternal USB works flawlessly with S3 mode even better with vista taking 10seconds to restore a fully functioning desktop with all the programs I was using from the last running session.

Click to expand...

The only thing that seems to be of use form the Western Digital site is a formatting utility, although I don't see how that would fix my problem.

About the sleep type for my computer bios though, I have it set to S4 (so that I can wake it up wirelessly when its hibernated), but I'll try changing it to S3.

Its an isolated issue, possibly only my computer. So far, my two other Vista laptops are able to resume from hibernate with the external hard drive plugged in without hanging.

I started messing with the BIOS settings (such as the USB Legacy Support, the Boot Order ((in which I tried changing the order of my HD boot, from my internal to external HDs)), and the WOL S4), and one hour later, I still haven't made any progress.

I think I'll just contact Microsoft's free support for SP1. Check it out here https://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&x=8&y=7&prid=11274&gprid=500921.