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[Rakham01]

I'm using USB-powered external harddrive for Mp3-files storage and play them with
"Call BASS_ChannelPlay(filehandle, BASSTRUE)". It works just fine, until harddrive "sleeps" after
about a minute being unused and then playing is jammed for a while. Elapsed time will go
back and forward within one second time period and after 10 s it continues normally, when harddrive
is awake again. I'm trying to find a way to solve this problem in a code, how to catch this situation (OK, that can be done by comparing elapsed time every x second time period) and especially, how to recover from it.
Any suggestions??? Well, a timer that refreshes harddrive by scanning directory tree every 30 seconds would probably help, but a simple "Channel-Refresh" command should be fine, is there is any ? 

[MoonStar]

Have you ever try to disable turning off harddisks by windows OS
you can do this by setting the TURN OF HARDDISK = NEVER  property in Monitor Power TAB in the Secreen Saver Menu for windows xp?

the easiest solution for your case that i can recommend

[Rakham01]

That setting was already on: Turn off hard disks - NEVER. I solved that problem by using 1 minute timer, which
writes a small one line text file to root directory of a hard disk. Scanning the whole root directory didn't wake up hard disk at all,
but even that small write procedure is enough to keep hard disk awake. Timer is SET ON as soon as playing stops and SET OFF when playing starts. That text file is deleted (of course) when player application is closed. Thank's anyway !

[saga]

Probably there's also a setting in your BIOS to turn off hard drives. I'd definitly search for it, as turning off hard drives that often does not really save power, but it decreases their lifetime definitetly.

[Rakham01]

Is there really any BIOS settings for external USB-powered hard disk??? Before, when I used hard disk with normal power adapter, there wasn't any problems with playing due to continuous power supply and besides, laptops internal hard disk
never sleeps. If there is any solution like you are trying to suggest, I'll use it instantly 

[saga]

Well I don't think that there are extra settings of external drives, but the BIOS normally has settings for hard drives in general. You could have a look there but I can't guarantee anything.