Help - Raid Volume Degraded Due to Failed HD

LZEDG on 11/11/2014 - 14:35
Last edited 11/11/2014 - 14:35

Hi all,
I have been using this one pc for quite a few years (WinXP), and today on boot i received the notification:

A RAID volume is degraded because of failed hard drives.

I would like to fix this problem, while in the meantime i am looking to purchase a laptop.

You can view a screen grab of the intel console here: http://i.imgur.com/3ZF8GgF.png?1

Could someone please let me know exactly what i need to do. Do i just need to buy a new hdd - does the size/brand/specs matter, in terms of what is already there? ie, which hdd should i buy and where from (would like to get this done asap).

Plus if i am pulling out the 'failed' drive, how do i know which one is Port 1?

Any help is appreciated!

Computing

Comments

  • adamren on 11/11/2014 - 15:07

    Second one from left perhaps?

    Doesn't hurt to get other brands just as long as they're similar and it's recognised, but just get matching for peace of mind.

  • ZEDG on 11/11/2014 - 15:20

    When you say matching/similar, i am not sure what you mean. What needs to be the same, what am i looking for?

  • anawth on 11/11/2014 - 15:30
    +1

    Not being a smart-ass here, but do you understand the concept of RAID?

    In any case (this part is jacked from a forum, due to my own laziness) - Before you buy another HDD, you may want to the check the SATA cable connections and power. With the power OFF - UNPLUG the power cable to the computer - by re-seating the SATA connectors into the mobo and the HDD; do the same with the HDD power cable. Then plug in the power cable, restart the computer, boot into windows, open the Intel Matrix Storage Manager, select the failed HDD, right-click and choose "Reset to normal." If the HDD "fails" again, replace the HDD. Intel Matrix Storage Manager can then rebuild the array.

    Also, it may be a good idea to ditch XP now anyway. I understand you're used to it, but being out of support it won't be getting any critical updates, leaving you more susceptible etc etc.

    • ZEDG on 11/11/2014 - 15:51

      I will have a go adjusting the cables, but not sure it will make much difference. I think the age of the pc/drives is the cause of the failure.

      The laptop will be my primary, and would like to just continue using the (xp) pc for random things. Dont think it would even be 'successfully' possible to upgrade Windows versions.

  • anawth on 11/11/2014 - 15:33

    I think adamren is saying if possible to get a Samsung HD300LJ, but as long as it's a 300GB SATA (3.5 or 2.5" or whatever it is) you should be fine.

  • Mikinoz on 11/11/2014 - 15:34
    +1

    Before you do anything back up to an external hard drive. If you dont own one then buy one.

    • ZEDG on 11/11/2014 - 15:48

      I already use WD SmartWare that backs up to an external.
      I think i may manually backup to another drive as well.

  • hellbound on 11/11/2014 - 15:52
    +1

    Is it in a raid5 setup? Your screenshot doesn't actually say.
    If so, you should be able to swap it out pretty easily. Check your motherboard manual to see which port is number one, then check the serial number matches the screenshot when you remove the disk to be sure.

    You should be able to use a higher capacity hdd, but it will only use the first 300gb and the rest will be unused. Never dealt with an intel raid5 though so ymmv.

    • ZEDG on 11/11/2014 - 16:31

      Thanks. Not sure about which Raid is setup, trying to find out but can't seem to find an answer..

    • ZEDG on 11/11/2014 - 16:40

      Is it Raid 10?
      See http://i.imgur.com/k7R64My.png?1

      Does that make any difference to anything?

    • sane on 11/11/2014 - 17:02

      The op will know from the capacity that's available to him. However the controller does RAID 5, so I wouldn't be surprised if it were a RAID 5 array with 900GB available.

      Could be RAID 10 with 600GB though.

      I think, given the near impossibility of sourcing a 300GB drive, I'd actually get a 1 or 2TB single drive and copy all the contents of the array off the existing drives and onto the single disk outside the array. Then I could put the 4 drives away as a backup.

      Given the near term move to a laptop, it's not going to hurt to have a single, newer drive holding this data.

  • anawth on 11/11/2014 - 17:07

    Yep that's a RAID 10 (1+0).
    It will probably even be hot-swappable (but I wouldn't do that if I were you).
    Good news is you probably won't even have to format the new drive once it's in.

  • RobMel on 11/11/2014 - 17:13

    Its only a matter of time more drives fail do a backup if necessary and cut your losses. No need to throw good money after bad money.

  • ZEDG on 11/11/2014 - 17:48

    Thanks very much for all the help. I think i still would like to just replace the drive so keep the pc going for abit longer. Laptop shopping this week i guess, but their are so many options it appears so daunting.

    Would it be better worth to purchase a laptop with a HDD, then purchase and SSD separately and swap them over, or just find a laptop with an SSD?

    Prices are obviously quite a lot for something with a SSD, but i would like the laptop to be decently powerful - no more than $2000.

    • scrimshaw on 11/11/2014 - 18:52
      +1

      Prices are obviously quite a lot for something with a SSD, but i would like the laptop to be decently powerful - no more than $2000.

      Easily achievable if you custom build a laptop. If you search on Ozbargain for previous posts on Clevo or Horize you'll see a lot of affordable but powerful options.

  • DARK KHAOS on 12/11/2014 - 08:47

    Or back it up then take it to a competent computer shop and get them to do it for you. shouldn't cost more than 1 hour workshop fee and the cost of the drive.

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