chkntfs keeps running

[RayW]

Hi there, I'm using version 0.5.0.0 and I have the usb power off setting enabled. Whenever I turn the unit off using the remote and then back on again the usb connection light comes on for a second and then it goes off and I see in the CPU listing on the webend that chkntfs -a -f is running and the drive light is flashing. It does seem to be checking the disk for errors. It only does this with my favorite toshiba 500 gig drive which doesn't have any problems in winodws. If I let the check finish the drive doesn't re-attach to the media system unless I turn the wdtv+ off and on again. So basically I have to turn the unit on, then wait, then off, then on again before I can use the drive.

Also if I unplug the drive without properly removing it the same thing will happen when I plug it back in, that happens even if I have the usb power off setting disabled.

Also it happens if I cut the power to the unit and then turn the power back on, but this time the wdtv does the disk check before it will even boot up, (so it takes forever to boot up) but when it does boot up finally this time the usb drive comes online normally.

This doesn't happen when I was using the 0.4.8.0 beta .bin version. In fact I'm back to using that version at the moment.

I don't know what the wdtv has against this particular disk drive of mine? Maybe there is something in the S.M.A.R.T. that it doesn't like but windows doesn't complain. I tried deleting the .wdtv folder on the drive so the wdtv could recreate it but that only works once.

Is the chkntfs program something that is part of wdlxtv or is it in the stock rom?

Anyway one thing that would be nice if possible would be an option in the webend that will disable chkntfs, or maybe instructions on how to do that manually. Can you delete chkntfs? I check the drive for errors using my laptop anyway.

[RMerlin]

chkntfs will run when a HDD is mounted. If the filesystem is labeled as clean, it will immediately exit. However if it is flagged as dirty (which happens if the power was cut or the USB was unplugged/turned off without first properly ejecting or unmounting it), then a full filesystem scan will be run. This is normal, and this is the sane and safe way of handling any filesystem that is labeled as dirty. Windows itself will do that, and Linux will do that with ext3 partitions that aren't cleanly unmounted.

Not doing so would otherwise eventually lead to file corruption - something you don't want to happen.

[KAD]

just a sanity check here,

he states he uses the USB power off feature of wdlxtv
USB power off, does umount the attached HDD's, I hope ??

it almost sounds to me, like it's not umounting the drive, so next power on, drive is dirty because it wasn't cleanly unmounted

KAD

[engineer14]

here, USB Power off doesn´t work at all with 1.05.04, 0.5.0.0.

Have my USB HDD´s on a hub on USB2 ... all lights stay on, everything stays mounted ...

worked with 1.02.21

[RayW]

I think you are right KAD, or maybe it doesn't wait long enough for the disk to unmount?

also if you plug the drive in while the wdtv is turned on it will take the disk offline and run the chkntfs but then it doesn't remount the drive when it's finished checking.

[RMerlin]

I think b-rad had a quick look at it today, might be that the disks aren't properly unmounted before powering off USB ports.

As for drives not getting mounted after a chkntfs, I doubt it's related, since chkntfs is run every time, the only difference is either it exits immediately, or only after it's done a complete scan. Could be a case of chkntfs aborting the script if it encounters an error however, tho that'd be surprising. This might need investigating.

[b-rad.cc]

most devices are properly umounted. the problem arises from the use of early mounting, which lately has gotten much more popular. In previous history if you had an early mount it was because you used some feature built into WDLXTV that would be detected and prevent usb off...well now theres some app.bins and other stuff which require early mounting too.

The whole system will have to be rewritten most likely. This means zero chance of it being taken care of for 0501, but i'll add it to the list of things to look into for 0510.

[worm9110]

This has also been bugging me. Installed 1.05.04_V_WDLXTV.COM_WDLXTV_LIVE-0.5.0.0 and I use to fully power off my WD 1G passport drive. I have the WDLXTV in my bed room so it was nice when it was completely dark. Now if I want my WDLXTV to recognize the drive without rebooting it I have to keep the USB_POWER_OFF = POWERED on, thus my WD passport drive flashes on and off all night. As I quick work around I have covered the light so it doesn't keep me up all night. Thanks for looking into this and I hope there is a fix for the future.