Anton Rang writes:
[...]
I'm not aware of any operating systems which make it easy to change
these settings or use the bypasses.

If it's a SCSI drive there may be a SCSI command to achieve
this. Many Unix operating systems have some kind of mechanism for
sending SCSI commands.

--
David Magda dmagda at ee.ryerson.ca, http://www.magda.ca/
Because the innovator has for enemies all those who have done well under
the old conditions, and lukewarm defenders in those who may do well
under the new. -- Niccolo Machiavelli, _The Prince_, Chapter VI