[SOLVED] usb hard drive status changes

[criminalzen]

I am having a serious recurrent problem. After updating my mpd database my usb hard drive's status changes to "lsblk: /dev/sda1: not a block device" and mpd cannot play whatever file I have selected. I have to restart snakeoil to get my hard drive mounted correctly (it does it automatically), and get mpd connecting to the file again. On a more positive note, I just obtained a used 50 wpc tube amp that fits the sq of Snakeoil os perfectly. I am still burning in some new tubes but already it makes music sound alive,

The problem just happened again while listening to music, so it isn't just after a database update.

cz

[criminalzen]

I am having a serious recurrent problem. After updating my mpd database my usb hard drive's status changes to "lsblk: /dev/sda1: not a block device" and mpd cannot play whatever file I have selected. I have to restart snakeoil to get my hard drive mounted correctly (it does it automatically), and get mpd connecting to the file again. On a more positive note, I just obtained a used 50 wpc tube amp that fits the sq of Snakeoil os perfectly. I am still burning in some new tubes but already it makes music sound alive,

The problem just happened again while listening to music, so it isn't just after a database update.

cz

I have tested the drive on my windows 11 nuc.. drive checks out fine, but problems continue with snakeoil os
and moode. I have ordered a new 4 gig usb drive and will see if that clears up the issue . or I guess it could be a
problem with the usb on the pi. clearly it is not a problem with snakeoil. I am tailing syslog and will see what shakes out.

cz

later... tracked down an error message that suggested in was a lack of power to the usb drive/pi usb slots, so I changed around some charger pucks and its been running all afternoon  - looks like I'll return the new harddrive ..

[agent_kith]

Was just about to suggest checking the power supply. Use a good quality 5V 3A plugpack. Unfortunately most of these are switch mode power supplies so you do have to spend a bit more to get a linear ones. 

I have an official USB-C 5V3A plug from Raspberry Pi foundation, while that works, it does emit a high frequency noise on higher loads.

You can look around the Internet for some good 5V3A power supplies. Or if you have POE switches, use a good (brick like) 5A POE to 5V convertors. I'm using them for some of my Pis and kind of like it (in the sense it says a GPO, and also means almost everything in the house is using the same power feed from my switch).

[criminalzen]

Was just about to suggest checking the power supply. Use a good quality 5V 3A plugpack. Unfortunately most of these are switch mode power supplies so you do have to spend a bit more to get a linear ons. 

I have an official USB-C 5V3A plug from Raspberry Pi foundation, while that works, it does emit a high frequency noise on higher loads.

You can look around the Internet for some good 5V3A power supplies. Or if you have POE switches, use a good (brick like) 5A POE to 5V convertors. I'm using them for some of my Pis and kind of like it (in the sense it says a GPO, and also means almost everything in the house is using the same power feed from my switch).

I ordered a new power supply while not linear is a step up from my current one-it is a Mean Well GS18A05-P1J 5V 3A which is a bit higher quality.
The new (used) tube amp and new tubes I purchased wiped out most of my money.. one thing at a time
  I am also considering powering the allo boss dac separately from the pi, or powering the dac first with the excess power going to the pi rather than pi to dac is it is now. More later.. waiting for my new tubes now...

[agent_kith]

I ordered a new power supply while not linear is a step up from my current one-it is a Mean Well GS18A05-P1J 5V 3A which is a bit higher quality.
The new (used) tube amp and new tubes I purchased wiped out most of my money.. one thing at a time
  I am also considering powering the allo boss dac separately from the pi, or powering the dac first with the excess power going to the pi rather than pi to dac is it is now. More later.. waiting for my new tubes now...

Cool.. Mean Well do pretty good SMPS so it should be good. At least hopefully it doesn't emit the high freq pitch buzz like the official Pi PSU (and these units aren't exactly cheap).

In the future you may want to consider higher current models (4 to 5 A should be sufficient). But this adds complications too as you may need to address heat issues on the Pi.

Anyway, enjoy the hobby and please raise any Pi issues you find along the way. As I'm still rather tied up at work and unfortunately don't have a lot of time to make sure Pi runs smoothly (Right now I depend on user feedback to report Pi problems).

Thanks.