Cannot initialize disks on PERC5i array

Maybe I'm not understanding the scenario exactly, but the PERC's (4/5/6) don't initialize physical disks, but virtual disks (arrays).  On the screen for creating a VD, you choose your physical disks, RAID level, and check the Advanced box and the Initialize box inside Advanced ... is that what you are doing?  What exact messaging does it give you?

Other thoughts ...

Are these Seagate drives Dell-labeled (as in they are made by Seagate but loaded with Dell-specific firmware)?  Sometimes non-Dell drives have unexplainable issues with Dell controllers.

Have you updated the system firmware (BIOS, ESM, and specifically the RAID firmware)?  What version are you at?

Sorry, I wasn't very specific.

These are not Dell branded disks. They are standard Seagate disks not purchased from Dell. Model number Barracuda 7200.7, ST 3200822AS

On the first system I was trying this on, I had upgraded both system BIOS and firmware on controller (with no change).

I first make the VD, pick the disks I want (there are 5 total, so I do 4 + HS), configure the HS, and allow it to create the VD. It shows optimal at this point. Then, I take and hit F2, Initialization, Fast Init (or Start Init), and it waits for about a minute, and then offlines the array. All but one disk show offline under Physical Disks.

It has done this on both the older firmware and the newest one listed on Dell's website. I have also upgraded the BIOS on one of the systems, and it does not make a difference. (If you need specific firmwares, I can get them for you).

i did try a straight 80 GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.7 disk (ST380013AS) as RAID 0, and it worked, and initialized. I can get one of the 5 disks to do the same, but the other 4 won't work. I have even re-arranged them in the array, and that has not helped. I also tried 2 1TB Seagate Barracuda disks, and they failed the same as well (both RAID 0 and 1). 

Any thoughts? Thanks for your help.

Pete

I would try doing the Initialization at the same time as the VD creation (Advanced/Initialization), rather than after the fact with F2 to see if that makes a difference.  I have never had a problem, but I have also never done it through F2.

There is still the possibility that the drives' firmware - being non-Dell - is not responding properly to the PERC's init commands.  If that were the case however, it wouldn't make sense that one drive would always work when 4 identical drives fail.  The latest Dell controllers won't accept non-Dell drives for this reason - Dell cannot guarantee performance/reliability without the right firmware.

As an aside (shouldn't have anything to do with your dilemma) - When updating the firmware, it is usually dependent on BIOS and ESM code for proper operation, so in addition to updating BIOS, ESM/BMC should be updated with the RAID controller firmware.

I have tried the Initialization thru the Advanced setting as well, and no joy.

I think I saw a firmware update for Seagate drives on the Dell website. I need to try and see if that will help. I have a SATA docking enclosure coming in a day or two that I can try and flash the drives to see if they will take the update, and if that will work.

When I did update the one controller, I put the system BIOS at 2.6.1, which is the highest BIOS, and then updated the controller.

I am seriously wondering if the track you are going on is probably the right one. I think I saw the Seagate update, and that could very well be the problem. I have no way to flash the drives until I get that dock, so I may have to wait until then (it is on its way), and then try to flash one of the drives, and then see if it shows up correctly.

It does strike me a little weird that the 80GB drive and the one 200GB drive work ok, but the rest don't. 4 drives cannot be all bad...if one was, then that would probably be it, but I have tried 7 drives total (5 200GB and 2 1TB), and all of those except one have failed. Seagate's failure rate isn't that bad (it's usually pretty good - been using them for years). The one drive may have a different firmware that is compatible enough to get commands, but the rest don't.That would be the only explanation that I could fathom as to why the one works and the others don't

I just went and looked over at the driver area for this server, and there are quite a few drive/firmware updates, and Seagate is in quite a few of them. I think that is probably what is the problem here (at least the most logical way to go right now). Let me get these drives updated firmware wise, and then I will re-post if it fixed/didn't fix the issue.

I will let you know what I find, but thanks so much for the help. If you think of anything else, let me know.

Pete

I am having very similar problems...i have a Dell 1950, and can put disks in a RAID1 array etc., but cannot initialize them.  Any resolutions?

I have a dell poweredge 1950, IM finding it difficult creating a VD, when ever i entered the BIOS utility using ctrl-r and try to create a VD, there filed opens and i insert all the detail, but the OK button is not highlighed to complete the process. due to this the VD creation can not be completed. please advise.