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[OCLUG-Tech] Can anyone save this drive?

Good day, folks,

When power was lost last night, I happened to be awake, and heard the
siren calls of my UPSes.  I dutifully went about the house, shutting
down my PCs...and for reasons I'll spare you, I shut one down by
pressing a soft-reset button on the case.  This, as far as I know,
brings the computer down in a controlled fashion.

Upon resumption of power, when I booted up my machine, it did not
boot...and some experimentation narrowed suspicion down to the hard
drive.  I'd like to know if (a) anyone can direct me on how to recover
the data (key stuff is backed up elsewhere), and (b) whether the drive
itself can be rescued (ie. is there a chance this is a filesystem
problem rather than the hardware itself).

I rather suspect answers to both are "No", but you folks tend to be
smarter than I.

Things I have discovered:

1. The bios does not see the drive when internally installed in its
home machine.

2. When I opt to watch the POST, I see it get to "GRUB", but it stops
there.  I'm having some difficulty reconciling this with point 1.

3. I have installed the drive into a external-USB case, and currently
have it connected to my laptop.  A tail of the syslog reveals the
following (more after the log)...

Oct 29 13:32:51 bilbo kernel: [  819.228153] usb 7-2: new high speed
USB device using ehci_hcd and address 5
Oct 29 13:32:51 bilbo kernel: [  819.281332] usb 7-2: configuration #1
chosen from 1 choice
Oct 29 13:32:51 bilbo kernel: [  819.282660] scsi6 : SCSI emulation
for USB Mass Storage devices
Oct 29 13:32:51 bilbo kernel: [  819.283115] usb-storage: device found at 5
Oct 29 13:32:51 bilbo kernel: [  819.283121] usb-storage: waiting for
device to settle before scanning
Oct 29 13:32:51 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301571.758013]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085').
Oct 29 13:32:51 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301571.831035]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0').
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.725962] usb-storage: device scan complete
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.729105] scsi 6:0:0:0:
Direct-Access     WDC WD50 00AAKS-65YGA0         PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.738362] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb]
976773168 512-byte hardware sectors (500108 MB)
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.740610] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Write
Protect is off
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.740617] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode
Sense: 38 00 00 00
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.740622] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb]
Assuming drive cache: write through
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.742245] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb]
976773168 512-byte hardware sectors (500108 MB)
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.744597] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Write
Protect is off
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.744604] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode
Sense: 38 00 00 00
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.744608] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb]
Assuming drive cache: write through
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.744614]  sdb: sdb1 sdb2 sdb3
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.769735] usb 7-2: USB disconnect, address 5
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.769921] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Result:
hostbyte=DID_ERROR driverbyte=DRIVER_OK,SUGGEST_OK
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.769932] end_request: I/O error,
dev sdb, sector 19535040
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.769939] Buffer I/O error on
device sdb, logical block 2441880
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.770026] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb] Result:
hostbyte=DID_ERROR driverbyte=DRIVER_OK,SUGGEST_OK
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.770035] end_request: I/O error,
dev sdb, sector 19535040
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.770040] Buffer I/O error on
device sdb, logical block 2441880
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.770231] sd 6:0:0:0: [sdb]
Attached SCSI disk
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo kernel: [  821.770307] sd 6:0:0:0: Attached scsi
generic sg2 type 0
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo scsi_id[8692]: scsi_id: unable to access '/block/sdb'
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301576.864229]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host').
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301576.867250]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0').
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301576.869420]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0').
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301576.869466]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host').
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301576.869498]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0').
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301576.869530]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085').
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo pulseaudio[6782]: module-hal-detect.c: Error
getting capability: org.freedesktop.Hal.NoSuchDevice: No device with
id /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host
Oct 29 13:32:56 bilbo pulseaudio[6782]: module-hal-detect.c: Error
getting capability: org.freedesktop.Hal.NoSuchDevice: No device with
id /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0
Oct 29 13:33:31 bilbo kernel: [  836.934778] usb 7-2: new high speed
USB device using ehci_hcd and address 6
Oct 29 13:33:31 bilbo kernel: [  836.996531] usb 7-2: configuration #1
chosen from 1 choice
Oct 29 13:33:31 bilbo kernel: [  836.997879] scsi7 : SCSI emulation
for USB Mass Storage devices
Oct 29 13:33:31 bilbo kernel: [  836.998331] usb-storage: device found at 6
Oct 29 13:33:31 bilbo kernel: [  836.998337] usb-storage: waiting for
device to settle before scanning
Oct 29 13:33:31 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301611.340605]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085').
Oct 29 13:33:31 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301611.431035]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0').
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.019784] usb-storage: device scan complete
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.023659] scsi 7:0:0:0:
Direct-Access     WDC WD50 00AAKS-65YGA0         PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.033834] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdb]
976773168 512-byte hardware sectors (500108 MB)
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.036568] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdb] Write
Protect is off
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.036576] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode
Sense: 38 00 00 00
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.036581] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdb]
Assuming drive cache: write through
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.038196] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdb]
976773168 512-byte hardware sectors (500108 MB)
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.040479] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdb] Write
Protect is off
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.040486] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode
Sense: 38 00 00 00
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.040490] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdb]
Assuming drive cache: write through
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.040497]  sdb: sdb1 sdb2 sdb3
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.063408] usb 7-2: USB disconnect, address 6
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.063527] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdb] Result:
hostbyte=DID_ERROR driverbyte=DRIVER_OK,SUGGEST_OK
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.063532] end_request: I/O error,
dev sdb, sector 19535040
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.063535] Buffer I/O error on
device sdb, logical block 2441880
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.063605] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdb] Result:
hostbyte=DID_ERROR driverbyte=DRIVER_OK,SUGGEST_OK
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.063609] end_request: I/O error,
dev sdb, sector 19535040
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.063611] Buffer I/O error on
device sdb, logical block 2441880
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.064393] sd 7:0:0:0: [sdb]
Attached SCSI disk
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo kernel: [  839.064449] sd 7:0:0:0: Attached scsi
generic sg2 type 0
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo scsi_id[8766]: scsi_id: unable to access '/block/sdb'
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301616.409493]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host').
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301616.412507]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0').
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo pulseaudio[6782]: module-hal-detect.c: Error
getting capability: org.freedesktop.Hal.NoSuchDevice: No device with
id /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301616.414606]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0').
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301616.414650]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host').
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301616.414683]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0').
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301616.414713]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085').
Oct 29 13:33:36 bilbo pulseaudio[6782]: module-hal-detect.c: Error
getting capability: org.freedesktop.Hal.NoSuchDevice: No device with
id /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0
Oct 29 13:34:10 bilbo kernel: [  855.220224] usb 7-2: new high speed
USB device using ehci_hcd and address 7
Oct 29 13:34:10 bilbo kernel: [  855.281340] usb 7-2: configuration #1
chosen from 1 choice
Oct 29 13:34:10 bilbo kernel: [  855.282857] scsi8 : SCSI emulation
for USB Mass Storage devices
Oct 29 13:34:10 bilbo kernel: [  855.283340] usb-storage: device found at 7
Oct 29 13:34:10 bilbo kernel: [  855.283346] usb-storage: waiting for
device to settle before scanning
Oct 29 13:34:10 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301650.914019]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085').
Oct 29 13:34:11 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301651.017855]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0').
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.384733] usb-storage: device scan complete
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.388650] scsi 8:0:0:0:
Direct-Access     WDC WD50 00AAKS-65YGA0         PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.400192] sd 8:0:0:0: [sdb]
976773168 512-byte hardware sectors (500108 MB)
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.402928] sd 8:0:0:0: [sdb] Write
Protect is off
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.402936] sd 8:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode
Sense: 38 00 00 00
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.402941] sd 8:0:0:0: [sdb]
Assuming drive cache: write through
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.404555] sd 8:0:0:0: [sdb]
976773168 512-byte hardware sectors (500108 MB)
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.406806] sd 8:0:0:0: [sdb] Write
Protect is off
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.406813] sd 8:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode
Sense: 38 00 00 00
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.406817] sd 8:0:0:0: [sdb]
Assuming drive cache: write through
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.406824]  sdb: sdb1 sdb2 sdb3
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.428166] usb 7-2: USB disconnect, address 7
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.428322] sd 8:0:0:0: [sdb] Result:
hostbyte=DID_ERROR driverbyte=DRIVER_OK,SUGGEST_OK
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.428332] end_request: I/O error,
dev sdb, sector 19535040
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.428339] Buffer I/O error on
device sdb, logical block 2441880
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.429092] sd 8:0:0:0: [sdb] Result:
hostbyte=DID_NO_CONNECT driverbyte=DRIVER_OK,SUGGEST_OK
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.429103] end_request: I/O error,
dev sdb, sector 19535040
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.429109] Buffer I/O error on
device sdb, logical block 2441880
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.429297] sd 8:0:0:0: [sdb]
Attached SCSI disk
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo kernel: [  858.429375] sd 8:0:0:0: Attached scsi
generic sg2 type 0
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301655.997866]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host').
Oct 29 13:34:15 bilbo scsi_id[8864]: scsi_id: unable to access '/block/sdb'
Oct 29 13:34:16 bilbo pulseaudio[6782]: module-hal-detect.c: Error
getting capability: org.freedesktop.Hal.NoSuchDevice: No device with
id /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host
Oct 29 13:34:16 bilbo pulseaudio[6782]: module-hal-detect.c: Error
getting capability: org.freedesktop.Hal.NoSuchDevice: No device with
id /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0
Oct 29 13:34:16 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301656.010640]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0').
Oct 29 13:34:16 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301656.011696]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0').
Oct 29 13:34:16 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301656.011745]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host').
Oct 29 13:34:16 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301656.011779]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0').
Oct 29 13:34:16 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301656.011810]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085').
Oct 29 13:34:50 bilbo kernel: [  874.162918] usb 7-2: new high speed
USB device using ehci_hcd and address 8
Oct 29 13:34:50 bilbo kernel: [  874.256142] usb 7-2: configuration #1
chosen from 1 choice
Oct 29 13:34:50 bilbo kernel: [  874.263961] scsi9 : SCSI emulation
for USB Mass Storage devices
Oct 29 13:34:50 bilbo kernel: [  874.264730] usb-storage: device found at 8
Oct 29 13:34:50 bilbo kernel: [  874.264736] usb-storage: waiting for
device to settle before scanning
Oct 29 13:34:50 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301690.487379]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085').
Oct 29 13:34:50 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301690.559402]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0').
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.566217] usb-storage: device scan complete
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.569944] scsi 9:0:0:0:
Direct-Access     WDC WD50 00AAKS-65YGA0         PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.579367] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb]
976773168 512-byte hardware sectors (500108 MB)
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.581603] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] Write
Protect is off
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.581610] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode
Sense: 38 00 00 00
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.581615] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb]
Assuming drive cache: write through
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.583226] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb]
976773168 512-byte hardware sectors (500108 MB)
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.585460] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] Write
Protect is off
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.585467] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode
Sense: 38 00 00 00
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.585472] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb]
Assuming drive cache: write through
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.585479]  sdb: sdb1 sdb2 sdb3
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.654890] usb 7-2: USB disconnect, address 8
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.655090] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] Result:
hostbyte=DID_ERROR driverbyte=DRIVER_OK,SUGGEST_OK
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.655095] end_request: I/O error,
dev sdb, sector 19535040
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.655098] Buffer I/O error on
device sdb, logical block 2441880
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.655533] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb] Result:
hostbyte=DID_ERROR driverbyte=DRIVER_OK,SUGGEST_OK
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.655537] end_request: I/O error,
dev sdb, sector 19535040
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.655539] Buffer I/O error on
device sdb, logical block 2441880
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.655628] sd 9:0:0:0: [sdb]
Attached SCSI disk
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo kernel: [  876.655663] sd 9:0:0:0: Attached scsi
generic sg2 type 0
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo scsi_id[8958]: scsi_id: unable to access '/block/sdb'
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301695.589552]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host').
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301695.592551]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0').
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo pulseaudio[6782]: module-hal-detect.c: Error
getting capability: org.freedesktop.Hal.NoSuchDevice: No device with
id /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301695.594651]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0').
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301695.594697]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host').
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301695.594731]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0').
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301695.594764]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085').
Oct 29 13:34:55 bilbo pulseaudio[6782]: module-hal-detect.c: Error
getting capability: org.freedesktop.Hal.NoSuchDevice: No device with
id /org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0
Oct 29 13:35:29 bilbo kernel: [  900.910551] usb 7-2: new high speed
USB device using ehci_hcd and address 9
Oct 29 13:35:30 bilbo kernel: [  901.005822] usb 7-2: configuration #1
chosen from 1 choice
Oct 29 13:35:30 bilbo kernel: [  901.006932] scsi10 : SCSI emulation
for USB Mass Storage devices
Oct 29 13:35:30 bilbo kernel: [  901.007263] usb-storage: device found at 9
Oct 29 13:35:30 bilbo kernel: [  901.007267] usb-storage: waiting for
device to settle before scanning
Oct 29 13:35:30 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301730.044734]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085').
Oct 29 13:35:30 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301730.134385]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0').
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.380807] usb-storage: device scan complete
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.384528] scsi 10:0:0:0:
Direct-Access     WDC WD50 00AAKS-65YGA0         PQ: 0 ANSI: 2
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.394402] sd 10:0:0:0: [sdb]
976773168 512-byte hardware sectors (500108 MB)
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.396622] sd 10:0:0:0: [sdb] Write
Protect is off
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.396626] sd 10:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode
Sense: 38 00 00 00
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.396628] sd 10:0:0:0: [sdb]
Assuming drive cache: write through
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.398125] sd 10:0:0:0: [sdb]
976773168 512-byte hardware sectors (500108 MB)
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.400372] sd 10:0:0:0: [sdb] Write
Protect is off
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.400375] sd 10:0:0:0: [sdb] Mode
Sense: 38 00 00 00
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.400377] sd 10:0:0:0: [sdb]
Assuming drive cache: write through
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.400383]  sdb: sdb1 sdb2 sdb3
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.423542] usb 7-2: USB disconnect, address 9
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.423582] sd 10:0:0:0: [sdb]
Result: hostbyte=DID_ERROR driverbyte=DRIVER_OK,SUGGEST_OK
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.423586] end_request: I/O error,
dev sdb, sector 19535040
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.423589] Buffer I/O error on
device sdb, logical block 2441880
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.423943] sd 10:0:0:0: [sdb]
Result: hostbyte=DID_ERROR driverbyte=DRIVER_OK,SUGGEST_OK
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.423946] end_request: I/O error,
dev sdb, sector 19535040
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.423948] Buffer I/O error on
device sdb, logical block 2441880
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.424064] sd 10:0:0:0: [sdb]
Attached SCSI disk
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo kernel: [  905.424102] sd 10:0:0:0: Attached
scsi generic sg2 type 0
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301735.114526]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host').
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301735.115624]
nm_hal_device_added(): New device added (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0').
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo scsi_id[9095]: scsi_id: unable to access '/block/sdb'
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301735.131123]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host_scsi_device_lun0').
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301735.131184]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0_scsi_host').
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301735.133551]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085_if0').
Oct 29 13:35:35 bilbo NetworkManager: <debug> [1225301735.135037]
nm_hal_device_removed(): Device removed (hal udi is
'/org/freedesktop/Hal/devices/usb_device_4fc_c15_WDC_WD5000_____WD_WCAS80763085').

4. Monitoring the /dev directory, I saw /dev/sdb pop up briefly before
disappearing.

5. Still watching the syslog, I no longer see messages as above.  Now
it's just...

Oct 29 13:43:14 bilbo kernel: [ 1195.265198] usb 7-2: new high speed
USB device using ehci_hcd and address 18
Oct 29 13:43:29 bilbo kernel: [ 1204.541512] usb 7-2: device
descriptor read/64, error -110
Oct 29 13:43:42 bilbo kernel: [ 1210.108104] ehci_hcd 0000:00:1d.7:
port 2 reset error -110
Oct 29 13:43:42 bilbo kernel: [ 1210.108129] hub 7-0:1.0:
hub_port_status failed (err = -32)
Oct 29 13:44:10 bilbo kernel: [ 1221.456270] usb 7-2: new high speed
USB device using ehci_hcd and address 19
Oct 29 13:44:25 bilbo kernel: [ 1229.756723] usb 7-2: device
descriptor read/64, error -110
Oct 29 13:44:38 bilbo kernel: [ 1238.622331] ehci_hcd 0000:00:1d.7:
port 2 reset error -110
Oct 29 13:44:38 bilbo kernel: [ 1238.622358] hub 7-0:1.0:
hub_port_status failed (err = -32)
Oct 29 13:45:06 bilbo kernel: [ 1253.343151] usb 7-2: new high speed
USB device using ehci_hcd and address 20
Oct 29 13:45:21 bilbo kernel: [ 1261.018684] usb 7-2: device
descriptor read/64, error -110
Oct 29 13:45:34 bilbo kernel: [ 1266.936826] ehci_hcd 0000:00:1d.7:
port 2 reset error -110
Oct 29 13:45:34 bilbo kernel: [ 1266.937127] hub 7-0:1.0:
hub_port_status failed (err = -32)
Oct 29 13:46:02 bilbo kernel: [ 1285.378800] usb 7-2: new high speed
USB device using ehci_hcd and address 21
Oct 29 13:46:17 bilbo kernel: [ 1296.415120] usb 7-2: device
descriptor read/64, error -110


Any advice or commiseration is welcome.

Cheers.

-- 
"My country is the world, and my religion is to do good."
                                        -- Thomas Paine