Repair a Raid 5 Array in Vista 32 Ultimate?!

sticker

Hey all,

I have a Raid 5 array with 4x500gig drives on this controller:
http://www.tomshardware.com/reviews/PCI-EXPRESS-SATA-RAID-CONTROLLERS-FOR-SMB-SERVERS,1381-8.html

This morning my BIOS listed the array as "critical" - meaning it needs a repair.

Dual Boot setup: XP home & Vista 32 Ultimate.

PC Spec:
Intel QX6700@3.34ghz
Tuniq tower cooled
EVGA nForce 680i mobo
4 gig ram
2x POV 8800gtx
320gig sata2
Nec 5170 Dvdrw
XFI Fatality Fps
PC P+C 750 Silencer Quad
24" Dell 2407WFP
Creative 7900 7.1 system
CM Stacker

Promise's own repair software (webPAM) doesn't install on my PC.

Does anyone know of repair software I can use to repair this array?

Thanks in advance!

Khannie

sticker wrote: »

This morning my BIOS listed the array as "critical" - meaning it needs a repair.

The need for a repair can be caused by a bunch of things but usually it's a faulty drive. Have you replaced the faulty drive?

sticker

Khannie wrote: »

The need for a repair can be caused by a bunch of things but usually it's a faulty drive. Have you replaced the faulty drive?

Thanks for the quick reply Khannie...

After a bit of work I got the WebPAM application going (controller software) I used this last year when another drive on the array failed. There was an option to rebuild the drive if it was possible. That option is greyed out now so I'm asssuming the drive has failed totally.

I got a shop to repair it before, but it was a long haul into town and the tower is HUGE (custom build rig - not by my hand! - the builder is abroad) I'd prefer to do a short hop or ideally have someone come out and have a look.

I know enough to know it probably just needs the tower opened, array taken out, faulty drive #1 (see webpam pic) replaced and let webpam reconstruct the array.

That said, I'm not that articulate with hardware to do it myself. Also, I'm a website developer so I would prefer not to lose any data or have the rig down for a long period - It's my livelhood! I have backed up critical files, but I've a couple of terbytes of data that I'd also like to keep!

I know if I Google 'computer technicans' in the D.15 area, I'll get a mountain of guys, but this is somewhat specialised work that needs the right experience!

Anyone recommend someone or better still fancy a nixer? - I'll stress to please only respond if you have done this before and are very familiar with Raid 5 arrays and controllers.

Thanks!

Khannie

Should be a straightforward job. Looks like the drive on port 2 has failed. Just remove it and stick in a new one, then you should have the option to rebuild. I've only done it on linux with the kernel raid (or else I'd offer to do the nixer for you).

If you can afford it and the controller supports it get yourself a "hot spare". I would with critical data like that. Raid 5 is just not fault tolerant enough for my liking. 1 disk down and all of a sudden you're very vulnerable. I use it at home, but I have critical stuff backed up off site (my photos).

edit: It's worth making sure that a cable hasn't just come loose or whatever.

corkcomp

try reseating the power and data cables, and check the drive status then .. if that doesnt work replace the drive asap as advised above .. Ive never come across a raid setup that wont auto re construct when new / working drive is in place ...

sticker

Thanks for the advise guys - much apppreciated.

I don't fancy even unscrewing the tower! Its a proper maze of cables and I'm just not comfortable messing aorund with something thats invaluable to my job. I'm articulate with software, but I've limitatons when it comes to hardware. I've sent a few mails to a few local repair shops.

As a matter of interest, would you suggest a replacement HD from Komplett? I wouldn't know which would suit best! The others are 500gig.

Thanks again

PS - Whats a "hot spare" - ?!

unnameduser

hey sticker,

You seem to be lacking in confidence but your post shows that you have quite a good idea of what is wrong and by double checking with others you have made sure that you are not making a mistake. My advice is to do the job yourself as instructed by the guys above. It will take a few hours to rebuild the data so get cracking. Best of luck.

Oh and nice rig!

sticker

unnameduser wrote: »

hey sticker,

You seem to be lacking in confidence but your post shows that you have quite a good idea of what is wrong and by double checking with others you have made sure that you are not making a mistake. My advice is to do the job yourself as instructed by the guys above. It will take a few hours to rebuild the data so get cracking. Best of luck.

Oh and nice rig!

I appreciate the vote of confidence, but in all honesty, I'd be tinkering with something I don't 100% undersatnd. I know a lot of the theory side, but have very little practical knowledge.

I would prefer to spend a few bob and have the job done right. The rig is just too important to make a silly mistake and have it in for repair for a week!

The offer still stands - Any takers for a small nixer?!! I'd say it'd be under a hours work!

sticker

Just so I might know, if indeed its a simple task of replacing the faulty unit - how long would it take to do?

unnameduser

That all depends on the speed of the raid card and hard drive type. Id be thinking at least 5 hrs or so. Any time I have done a rebuild I usually left and came back a number of hours later

Khannie

sticker wrote: »

Just so I might know, if indeed its a simple task of replacing the faulty unit - how long would it take to do?

Replacing the drive will take about 5-10 minutes. The rebuild (software) will take an hour anyway, possibly several.

Oh, and a hot spare is a drive that just sits there doing nothing. If there's a failure in the array it is immediately used to rebuild the array. That way you have an absolute minimum amount of time with no spare drive. You would then take out the faulty drive and replace it with a new hot spare.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_spare

sticker

unnameduser wrote: »

That all depends on the speed of the raid card and hard drive type. Id be thinking at least 5 hrs or so. Any time I have done a rebuild I usually left and came back a number of hours later

Thanks - thought as much. I would agree with Khannie from previous experience. The drive replacement is just nuts and bolts - then the controller software can rebuild the array in its own time!

I've just been on to a local data house - they did some great work for me in the past, and they are going to rebuild the array. My concern has always been getting the right people for the job. Considering I've properly diagniosed the problem now, I'll let the experts look after it!

Thanks again everyone for the very useful advise and help.

sticker

Khannie wrote: »

Replacing the drive will take about 5-10 minutes. The rebuild (software) will take an hour anyway, possibly several.

Oh, and a hot spare is a drive that just sits there doing nothing. If there's a failure in the array it is immediately used to rebuild the array. That way you have an absolute minimum amount of time with no spare drive. You would then take out the faulty drive and replace it with a new hot spare.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hot_spare

Agreed Khannie, I had a tech replace the drive in minutes before then let the controller software rebuild the array in its own time!

RoyalMarine

yeah 5 hours to re-build sounds fair.
it will only take 10mins to replace the harddrive tho.

so the hard part is over, then its just sit and wait.

sticker

RoyalMarineComm wrote: »

yeah 5 hours to re-build sounds fair.
it will only take 10mins to replace the harddrive tho.

so the hard part is over, then its just sit and wait.

Thanks RoyalMarineComm,

I suspected as much. Thanks again everyone - This board is a great resource! If any of you are looking for some web design work done I'll give you a proper discount!! - I know - I'm shameless!!

ED E

I can understand where you are coming from not wanting to touch it, I know many people who would be of the same view. Myself, I'm a messer. I screw with everything, that said, its pretty much impossible to do damage in changing out a drive, they make them very user friendly. As drives do die, and should be changed every couple(personal opinion comes in here) of years of use to prevent them dying mid operation. As such its a good thing to learn to do.

Steps:
Remove 240V supply
Remove side panel
Earth your hand on a radiator
Pull out SATA(blue and narrow) and power cables from the drive affected[Trace the sata cables from your mobo, they're labelled 0 1 2 3 and so on, the bad drive's number was posted somewhere above]
Release drive - push clips or screws in side
Slide drive out
Slide new drive in
Reconnect same cables just like the old drive
Close case
Re-insert power
Boot

Its really straightfoward, I suggest you even give it a go on any old machine(may have diff connectors, but essentially the same bar the need for jumpers). It really is a worthwhile thing to learn to do. In no time you'll be putting GFX cards in ovens

sticker

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

I can understand where you are coming from not wanting to touch it, I know many people who would be of the same view. Myself, I'm a messer. I screw with everything, that said, its pretty much impossible to do damage in changing out a drive, they make them very user friendly. As drives do die, and should be changed every couple(personal opinion comes in here) of years of use to prevent them dying mid operation. As such its a good thing to learn to do.

Steps:
Remove 240V supply
Remove side panel
Earth your hand on a radiator
Pull out SATA(blue and narrow) and power cables from the drive affected[Trace the sata cables from your mobo, they're labelled 0 1 2 3 and so on, the bad drive's number was posted somewhere above]
Release drive - push clips or screws in side
Slide drive out
Slide new drive in
Reconnect same cables just like the old drive
Close case
Re-insert power
Boot

Its really straightfoward, I suggest you even give it a go on any old machine(may have diff connectors, but essentially the same bar the need for jumpers). It really is a worthwhile thing to learn to do. In no time you'll be putting GFX cards in ovens

Thanks Lethal_Bullet - I have replaced drives before, but I suppose my phobia starts with the case for the array, the connectors to the controller, the power leads etc - I just feel that there is so much more involved in an array setup rather than just a simple stand alone drive -

If it was a regular Dell desktop, maybe I'd tool around with it, but given the hardware cost and fragility of home-made systems, I'd prefer to leave it to more experienced hands. That said, It's home-call repair that I've arranged as the tower is simply MASSIVE! So I may look and learn as the engineer works!

Thanks for the repy!

ED E

*facepalm*

I forgot all about the array in there, none the less I presume it similar just going via the raid vs mobo.

sticker

Lethal_Bullet wrote: »

*facepalm*

I forgot all about the array in there, none the less I presume it similar just going via the raid vs mobo.

sticker

Just to round things off, The rig is back up and running > healthy as ever.

A local guy 'in the trade' lives locally and dropped over after work (in blizzard conditions) with a spare drive and fixed it for me. Refusing payment for his trouble. I hope to repay in a professional capacity! Absolute gentleman...!

I was reminded again (everyone who has peeked into this self build has said the same) - It's a tricky layout in the tower with the controller sandwiched between twi SLI cards and a thousand tie's binding the lot together... so not an fix by any stretch.

Thanks to everyone here who lended a hand also.