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General discussion

Dell SC420 RAID-1 hard drive failure?

Oct 31, 2005 4:31AM PST

Hello,

I have a Dell PowerEdge SC420 server with an integrated CERC SATA 2S controller. I have two WD 300GB SATA drives set up as RAID-1. When the system starts up, the CERC screen shows both drives as healthy, but the RAID array as degraded. I've tested both drives (CHKDSK) and each seems to be fine (the system runs fine). What else might be causing this status? The normal status is 'optimal'.

I also looked for a direct replacement WD drive and the model I have is no longer available. If I do have to replace a drive, can it be a similar WD 300GB drive or do they need to be identical?

All my data is backup up to an external USB drive and also DVD media, so I'm open to any/all resolution scenarios.

Regards,

Michael

Discussion is locked

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reason for 'degraded' array message
Nov 1, 2005 11:38AM PST

I found out that the CERC RAID array message 'degraded array' is not due to hard drive failure or issues with the CERC card. The degraded message is due to the data differing on the two hard drives. In theory, the RAID array should should not only determine this issue, but it should correct it. I'm not sure the cause but am wondering if there are any issues with the particular SATA drives i'm using.

I have four other servers using the same CERC controller with no similar issues (using different drives from this particular system). I'm going to rebuild the array with two new SATA drives of a different model to eliminate the CERC controller as the culprit.

Regards,

Michael

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RE: Dell SC420 RAID-1 hard drive failure?
Oct 30, 2006 1:44AM PST

I have exactly the same problem to yours with a Dell SC420, but with 2 Maxtor 80GB SATA drives.

Dell replaced my 2 disks by 2 Seagate, and told me I had to reinstall it!

But my Norton Ghost 2003 does not recognize the RAID-1 Array. I am not very glad to reinstall all from the naked system.

When I set one of my old disks with one of my new ones, the system only recognizes the new array and I can't rebuild from the old array.

Did you fix it ?