Hard Drive Error - 2nd Time

[goombawaho]

Okay, I replaced my 2 Western Digital drives with 2 new ones in RAID 1 array (A7V-266E mobo). No problems - system running fine/data transferred back onto the system. Fast forward 2 months and I get an alarm on the RAID array saying one disk has gone south. I use their diagnostic tools which found a problem and "fixed" it.

Everything ran fine again for about 6 more months and now the same drive is being reported bad by the RAID controller. I ran the diagnostic tools on it again and it found nothing wrong. So the question is (assuming my IDE cables are okay) should I just soldier on with this HDD that I don't trust or do an RMA to Western Digital since it's still under warranty. The thing is, that technically it's not BROKEN, but I just don't trust it any more.

To RMA or not to RMA it?

 

[wahnula]

Is it the same drive that is being dropped? First, run a complete backup of the array. Once the array is rebuilt, you can power down and swap cables, leaving one disconnected. It should boot up as a degraded array. Next, reboot with the 2nd drive connected. The array should be "rebuilding".

I have had problems with an onboard RAID controller (Sil 3114) dropping random drives out of my RAID 5 array, it was a regular event. I swapped out the controller for a 3Ware 9000 series add-in card and have only had one hiccup in over two years.

Even the most robust SCSI arrays have "hiccups" now and then, it is not a cause for worry. By swapping cables you will determine if the controller or the drive is at fault. If the dropout follows the drive, I would most definitely RMA the drive through the manufacturer. If it follows the controller, I would consider buying a new controller card or using a different onboard controllers. Onboard controllers cannot compete with add-in controller cards.

When my RAID 1 array went south (thanks to my trying to rebuild it with a damaged drive) I replaced both drives, then sent both 2.5-y.o. Raptors back to WD and got shiny new ones...good to have spares!

Tony

"...an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind" - M.L. King

 

[goombawaho]

I understand (and knew) everything you said to do above. I was just looking for an "it's okay to RMA the drive" without going through any more hoops. I decided to RMA the drive and if the new drive experiences problems, we'll delve deeper.

The previous set of hard drives, on this same mobo/RAID controller and cables, had 4 years on them and not one glitch.

I was just hating to return a drive that isn't yielding actual errors as determined by the manufacturer's diagnostic hardware.

 

[wahnula]

I was just hating to return a drive that isn't yielding actual errors as determined by the manufacturer's diagnostic hardware

I have a suspicion that hard drive manufacturers' utilities are not the end-all of drive testing...it is in their best interests to show hard drives as being healthy, but I also my be a conspiracy nut

If you swapped cables and the problem followed the drive then by all means you were correct to RMA the drive.

The previous set of hard drives, on this same mobo/RAID controller and cables, had 4 years on them and not one glitch

Another conspiracy theory, at least this one has some research to back it up: Your 4-year-old hard drives were built better than your new ones. I hope the replacement serves you well for another four years.

Tony

"...an eye for an eye leaves everybody blind" - M.L. King