TI Linux kernel and External Disks

[Tabvla]

In a Windows environment the correct way to shutdown an external disk is to use the utility "Safely Remove Hardware". This utility should be used before shutting down the system.

When a user boots with the TI9 boot CD into the Linux kernel and employs an external disk, there does not seem to be a way of safely shutting down the external disk prior to shutting down the system.

Q1. Is there a safe way of shutting down an external disk while within the Linux kernel? (A menu option or tick box, perhaps I have missed something).

Q2. The Linux kernel will permit proper shutdown of the internal disks prior to system shutdown. Does this also apply to external disks? (Windows does NOT properly shutdown external disks as part of the shutdown process, hence the "Safely Remove Hardware" utility).

Q3. (Assuming that the answers to Q1 & Q2 are "No") Have any Forum members experienced any problems with an external disk if the system is shutdown, from within the Linux kernel, with the external disk still actively attached to the system?

Q4. Have any Forum members devised a procedure to ensure proper shutdown of external disks prior to exiting the Linux kernel?

The problems that I anticipate could occur if the external disk was not "removed safely" from the system prior to shutdown are :-

* Data loss or data corruption as cached data may not have yet been read/written from/to the disk
* Physical damage to the platters as the disk would not have had proper time to reset
* Corrupted disk map when rebooting into Windows

TiA for your feedback.

[Xpilot]

Originally Posted by Tabvla

In a Windows environment the correct way to shutdown an external disk is to use the utility "Safely Remove Hardware". This utility should be used before shutting down the system.

TiA for your feedback.

I am doubtful as to your statement that "This utility should be used before shutting down the system."
I agree that the " Safely Remove Hardware" utility should be used to avoid any possible damage or corruption when a system is running. However a device can be left connected and when the system is shut down and therefore inactive there is no risk in removing such hardware at that point.
I certainly have never come across what you are suggesting as being a problem at all.

Xpilot

[TheWeaz]

The "Safely Remove ..." is for when write caching in enabled.

[Tabvla]

Reply to TheWeaz.
The dialog box you attached is when Windows is running. When you boot into TI from the CD you boot into a Linux kernel, which does not have (as far as I can see) a utility for safely disengaging an external disk prior to shutdown.

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Reply to Xpilot
The method recommended by Microsoft is to disengage an external disk using the "Safely Remove Hardware" tool prior to shutting down. The implication is that MS don't quite trust Windows to do the job. It is possible (probable?) that the normal Windows shutdown procedure could shutdown a required service prior to the external disk disengagement, in which case the disengagement of the external disk would not proceed correctly because the required service was already shutdown. Using the SRH tool eliminates this possibility.

In any event, when one is running the Linux kernel, there does not seem to be a way of disengaging the external disk. Is Linux (particularly a reduced version of the OS) good enough to ensure that any cached data will be read/written and that the physical disengagement of the external disk will occur prior to shutdown?


So I am still wondering......

[Xpilot]

Originally Posted by Tabvla

[b][u]

Reply to Xpilot
The method recommended by Microsoft is to disengage an external disk using the "Safely Remove Hardware" tool prior to shutting down. The implication is that MS don't quite trust Windows to do the job. It is possible (probable?) that the normal Windows shutdown procedure could shutdown a required service prior to the external disk disengagement, in which case the disengagement of the external disk would not proceed correctly because the required service was already shutdown. Using the SRH tool eliminates this possibility.

In any event, when one is running the Linux kernel, there does not seem to be a way of disengaging the external disk. Is Linux (particularly a reduced version of the OS) good enough to ensure that any cached data will be read/written and that the physical disengagement of the external disk will occur prior to shutdown?


So I am still wondering......

In your first sentence above I read it that you are suggesting that before Windows is shut down any attached drives should be disengaged using the SRH tool. I do not agree with this interpretation. I understand that the SRH tool is to be used before shutting down or removing an attached drive. This is a completely different from your understanding.
To put it another way if you are booted into either a Windows or a Linux environment you can shut down that system with an external drive connected with no adverse effects.

Xpilot

[TheWeaz]

“Reply to TheWeaz.
The dialog box you attached is when Windows is running. When you boot into TI from the CD you boot into a Linux kernel, which does not have (as far as I can see) a utility for safely disengaging an external disk prior to shutdown.”

I understand that. My point was that the SRH was for when you ARE running windows and HAVE caching enabled. Please reread the first option given (the one selected). The one that says “you can disconnect this device WITHOUT …”.