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General discussion

On of 2 RAID disk fail

by farfadet07 Jan 8, 2010 10:55PM PST

Hi,

I have a DELL dimension 9200, with windows XP and 2 Samsung RAID HD model SP2504C. One of the disks failed the other day (return code 7 in the diagnostic, and impossible to boot up). I didn't loose essential data fortunately. My question is about the replacement of the HD. Since they are RAID, can I replace only one of them ? If I want to upgrade to a better model or even change brand, can I do that ? These disks must be specifically RAID or is an average disk OK ?(I hear there must be a RAID controller controlling raid disks). As you have understood, I'm not a RAID specialist. Thanks !

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4 Posts
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Not imperative buy highly recommended
by Steven Haninger Jan 9, 2010 2:25AM PST

You didn't mention which RAID method but with RAID 1 it's desired for both disks to be matched as closely as possible. If there's a size difference, of course, the smaller of the two dictates your capacity. It seems that today's HDs are a bit more tricky than those in the past in that they engage in background activity that can unset the cooperative need of RAID. You'll see drive manufacturers offering HDs specifically for RAID use. You might want to stick with those types. Yes, a RAID controller is needed for hardware type configurations but software RAID exists. I've never used that type. Personally, I've discontinued use of RAID on my own systems but will install it on ones I support that have longer intervals between backup.

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one of 2 raid HDD failed
by farfadet07 Jan 9, 2010 6:40AM PST

OK it's clear. The PC I'm talking about doesn't hold very vital information, so it was on raid 0. I'm absolutely not convinced this is a good solution : when one disk fails, the whole system is down, whether with 2 separate, independant disks, there's still one in use. So logically, my next question is : can I bypass the raid controller and install the remaining disk as a non-raid ?

Thanks for replying

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Is this controller on the motherboard?
by Steven Haninger Jan 9, 2010 7:08AM PST

If so, most I've seen can operate as standard single drive controllers though some won't accommodate atapi (CD-ROM, etc.) drives. Look in the BIOS to see if this option exists. It's possible you may need to delete the existing array, however, or it will complain at startup.

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replacement HD is crap !
by farfadet07 Jan 13, 2010 11:50PM PST

Just to update on my HD problem : Dell support was very fast in providing a new HD. Alas... I received a replacement HD today : Western Digital, 320 GB. Unfortunately, it started to click multiple times from the first power-up. Every diagnostics sends error messages or even makes the diagnostic program crash ! It seems this disk is complete crap. Is it a WD specialty to forget testing their hardware, or is it DELL that sends used products as warranty replacement ? It came shipped in a sealed package and looked well protected against shocks.

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