Prep SATA drive to replace one drive in RAID 1 array

[pderas]

I am setting up a new computer with RAID 1 in XP PRO and ordered two matching drives from Lenovo as spares should my RAID 1 go down.

Should I do any preparation of those spare drives to be able to just swap in the event one of the drives on my RAID array dies?

Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[hennessy1]

Any hard drives I buy or receive I always run manufactures diagnostic. Would be a pain in the butt to find there is errors on the drive after u put it in the raid you know.

 

[taltamir]

break them in. plug them in, fill them up with data, leave them spinning for 24 hours, now try to read the data on them. I find a good number fail after that.
Alternatively, you can just use a "burn in" function in some programs that writes and deletes data continuously.

 

[pderas]

So I shouldn't run the RAID setup on the replacement drive? Just format it and test it (any recommendations on a test?).

If I get a future failure, I just unplug the damaged drive and replace it with the new drive and it automatically will know that it's a RAID 1 drive and mirror the remaining drive?

I have a number of partitions that were set up in the BIOS on the RAID 1 array....

Seems too easy.

I have been running RAID 1 on my old WIN2K machine and this issue was always a worry for me. That's why I ordered a couple of extra matching drives with the new machine. One to install and employ as a backup drive and the other to serve as a future disaster replacement.

Thanks for your responses.

 

[taltamir]

So I shouldn't run the RAID setup on the replacement drive? Just format it and test it (any recommendations on a test?).

First test it, THEN run the raid setup on it. but do both... and i already gave a test recommendation.

If I get a future failure, I just unplug the damaged drive and replace it with the new drive and it automatically will know that it's a RAID 1 drive and mirror the remaining drive?

That depends on your controller.

I have a number of partitions that were set up in the BIOS on the RAID 1 array....

AFAIK BIOS cannot set up partitions, do you use matrix raid? maybe it is different, but generally speaking raid is just creating arrays, then you partition the array.

 

[pderas]

AFAIK BIOS cannot set up partitions, do you use matrix raid? maybe it is different, but generally speaking raid is just creating arrays, then you partition the array.

I'm sorry taltamir. Both of the systems I set up with RAID 1 had the partitions set up, not in the BIOS, but during installation of the OS. I am not using Matrix RAID.

First I enter the Bios and enable RAID and set boot order.

Then, as XP installs, I have to hit F6 indicating I have RAID drivers I need to install. The installation then pauses later to install the drivers and allows me to partition the array.

I believe this Mobo is supplied to Lenovo by Intel (Though it doesn't say so on the board)
I am using the on-board controller.

Thanks for your attention.

I think what I'll do is set up two RAID 1 arrays, each with 2 different drives identically partitioned. That way I can be sure they will be hot swappable.

No, that won't work because they will each have the OS installed...

 

[ch33zw1z]

Originally posted by: pderas

AFAIK BIOS cannot set up partitions, do you use matrix raid? maybe it is different, but generally speaking raid is just creating arrays, then you partition the array.

I'm sorry taltamir. Both of the systems I set up with RAID 1 had the partitions set up, not in the BIOS, but during installation of the OS. I am not using Matrix RAID.

First I enter the Bios and enable RAID and set boot order.

Then, as XP installs, I have to hit F6 indicating I have RAID drivers I need to install. The installation then pauses later to install the drivers and allows me to partition the array.

I believe this Mobo is supplied to Lenovo by Intel (Though it doesn't say so on the board)
I am using the on-board controller.

Thanks for your attention.

I think what I'll do is set up two RAID 1 arrays, each with 2 different drives identically partitioned. That way I can be sure they will be hot swappable.

No, that won't work because they will each have the OS installed...

Ok, ok. Just take a deep breath, here's some options:

1. You're running a RAID 1 and you ordered two spares. If you lost a drive, you can simply shutdown, replace the failed drive, boot...and it will rebuild the array, most likely via software...so it won't rebuild until it hits the OS.

2. Call up Lenovo support and find out if the controller supports RAID 1 with a hot spare. If so, you will have three drives installed, and a spare left over. In this scenario, when a drive fails the controller will automatically rebuild to the hot spare, eliminating the need to reboot.

3. Call up Lenovo support and find out if the machine will support RAID 10 (1+0). In this scenario you have two RAID 1's striped together. This will allow for up to two drive failures at opposite ends of the array, before you have to replace a drive.

4. Buy some 5.25" SATA expansion bays and run the RAID in those, that way if you lose a drive, you can pop it out and install one of those spares you ordered.

I'm sure you have some questions still...I would recommend 1 or 4

 

[pderas]

[/quote]

Ok, ok. Just take a deep breath, here's some options:

1. You're running a RAID 1 and you ordered two spares. If you lost a drive, you can simply shutdown, replace the failed drive, boot...and it will rebuild the array, most likely via software...so it won't rebuild until it hits the OS.

2. Call up Lenovo support and find out if the controller supports RAID 1 with a hot spare. If so, you will have three drives installed, and a spare left over. In this scenario, when a drive fails the controller will automatically rebuild to the hot spare, eliminating the need to reboot.

3. Call up Lenovo support and find out if the machine will support RAID 10 (1+0). In this scenario you have two RAID 1's striped together. This will allow for up to two drive failures at opposite ends of the array, before you have to replace a drive.

4. Buy some 5.25" SATA expansion bays and run the RAID in those, that way if you lose a drive, you can pop it out and install one of those spares you ordered.

I'm sure you have some questions still...I would recommend 1 or 4[/quote]

Thanks for your reply.

I just queried Seagate and they agree with your #1 scenario

Please wait while we find an agent to assist you...
Hello. How may I help you?

I am setting up a new computer with RAID 1 in XP PRO and ordered two matching drives from Lenovo, one as a backup drive installed, and the other as a spare should my RAID 1 go down. So I have 4 matching drives.

Should I do any preparation of that spare drive to be able to just swap in the event one of the drives on my RAID array dies?

I have a number of partitions that were set up in the BIOS on the RAID 1 array....

Jared J.: no
Peggy Deras: So I just save it unformatted?
Jared J.: Correct. Your raid controller will rebuild the raid for you and take care of all of that when it rebuilds

#2 would be great if I had provision for more than three drives on the machine. I don't.

#3 I don't feel the need for that much redundancy

#4 I don't have any problem swapping drives within the machine.

Thanks everyone for all your help. I certainly got my questions answered and then some.

 

[ch33zw1z]

If you need anything else, you know where to find us 🙂

 

[specialk90]

#3 is the way to go. Not only do you get more protection but you also get more SPEED & PERFORMANCE and more storage. I use Raid 10 for the OS + Apps in both of my PCs and love it. Drives can go bad if just sitting there, not being used for very long periods of time. Since you have these drives, might as well use them.

Quick question: why do you have 7200.10s? The new generation is 7200.12 and the prior 7200.11s came out almost 2 yrs ago. The 7200.11s use much less power and run MUCH cooler. I have 4 7200.10s and 4 7200.11s and its amazing how much cooler the 7200.11s run. Heat is one of the biggest drive killers. I almost forgot, the 11's are 40% faster too and 12's are 40% faster than the 11's. If Lenovo sold you these drives as part of a new system, I would return it or fight them on it. I can't stand manufacturers who sell old parts in new systems.