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July 27th, 2012 18:00
Did not create RAID array as I imagined it would
Really can't find a place to post this type of question!?
Hardware is a new T3500 Precision desktop with built in RAID controller. System came with one drive. I added a matching drive, which exposed the RAID BIOS config utulity upon boot. I created a RAID 1 array, but the system did not create the array as I expected. Rather than let me create the array by mirroring the contents of one drive to the second drive, the system instead wiped all data off both drives when it created the array.
Is that the only way to create the array? Loss of all data on BOTH drives? If so, what happens when one of your drives go bad down the road, you replace it, and then need to re-create the array? I would much perfer to be able to create an array by mirroring the contents of an existing drive to the second/replacement drive.
Can do?
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Second question: After creating above array and losing all data I booted to Acronis True Image 10 and restored original contents of the single drive to the array (yes I did a backup before hand!). However, although the restore went fine, the array displayed as DEGRADED upon boot up, and the drives spent several hours rebuilding the array.
Why would this be necessary if restoring to a functioning RAID 1 array? Would True Image not see the storage system as one singel drive? And would the DELL RAID controller not write the data to each drive as the restore progressed? Inquiring minds want to know.
thanx for any help.
jim
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Dell-Zohaib R
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953 Posts
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July 30th, 2012 13:00
Hi Jim,
Welcome to the Community.
Thanks for your detailed description of the problem. Answer to your first question is that. In order to create a RAID volume you cannot configure it without losing all the data on the existing Hard Drives.
Coming to your second question. DEGRADED RAID VOLUME message comes up only when there is a problem with one of the Hard Drives. It can be an issue as small as cables not seated correctly to a problem as big as corruption of Hard Drives as a whole. So in this case we recommend running the diagnostics on the machine by using the below mentioned step:
Turn on the system, press at the initial Dell™ logo screen, and select Diagnostics from the boot menu.
If the Diagnostics comes up with an error code. You can look up the exact meaning of the error code from the following link:
support.dell.com/.../document
In case, there is a problem found with the Hard Drive that could be the possible reason for your system to take more time to build the Array. Also if the Hard Drive is gone bad you need to replace one or more Hard Drive(s) as soon as possible.
In case, you have any further question. Please feel free to get back to me.