RAID 0+1: ERROR/DEGRADED WARNING ON BOOT H-E-L-P

[jrgeoffrion]

Hi,

I previously had a RAID 0 configuration (using NVRAID) but was worried about drive failure. As such, I purchased 2 additional drives (all 4 drives are WD 320Gb SE16 SATA II) and rebuilt the system.

On boot, I know get the following error message:

ERROR
DEGRADED

I then press <F10> to access NVRAID and get the following details:

Boot Id Status Vendor Array Model Name
N/A 1 Error NVIDIA RAID 0+1 596.18Gb
Yes 2 Degraded NVIDIA RAID 0+1 596.18Gb

I then press <ENTER> on the ERROR and get the following details:

Adapt Channel M/S Index Disk Model Name Capacity
1 0 Master 1 WDC WD3200KS-00PFB0 298Gb


If I press <ENTER> on the DEGRADED drive, I get the following details:

Adapt Channel M/S Index ... (same)
2 0 Master 0
2 1 Master 2
1 1 Master 3

The Options are to R=Rebuilt D=Delete C=Clear Disk

I've tried <R> but nothing happens.

Can someone tell me what the issue is? There is obviously something wrong with one of my drive (I think) but have no clue how to address the issue.

Thanks in advance for your assistance -- I'm pretty worried.

JR

Associated Equipment:

A8N-SLI Premium
WD 320Gb 16Mb SATA II (four)
4Gb of Corsair Value Select
eVGA7900GT
AMD 4800+ CPU

 

[RebateMonger]

I've never used an A8N-SLI motherboard, so I'm hesitant to give any advice on how to repair and rebuild the array.

However, I'd suggest that if you don't keep separate, external, backups of your array, then you are STRONGLY at risk of losing your data. RAID arrays, especially RAID 0+1 arrays, are complex. If you aren't an expert at what you are doing (which you obviously aren't), you run a definite risk of making a mistake in the management and recovery of the array and losing your own data. We see mistakes like that often here in the AnandTech Forums.

Any RAID array is not a substitute for backups. Even RAID 0+1. You are still subject to the hazards of worms, viruses, user error, RAID array management mistakes, fire, flood, theft, and RAID controller failure. Additionally, I've read of complaints that the NVidia RAID software is buggy and has caused user data loss on its own. But, again, I've never used it.

Personally, if I had a functional RAID 0 array, I'd take the two extra drives, stick them in external USB housings, and begin an ongoing backup schedule. I'd keep the backup drives OFFLINE as much as possible, so they aren't subject to worm or virus infection.

Then, if I had the extra money for two MORE drives, I'd consider building a RAID 0+1 array. But the only reason for doing so would be to avoid having to re-install my OS and applications in case of drive failure. I wouldn't worry about losing data, since I'd have data backups on my USB drives.

 

[Bug]

Have you tried removing the 2 new drives and then see if you can boot properly? If so, I would make another copy of your data somewhere else. Then delete the array but build it this time with all 4 drives attached.

 

[rasczak]

**EDIT** Make backups first of your data. then read below.

I got this same message when I had two sata drives mirrored. My fix was to break the mirror and recreate it. I did this going thru the f10 option that you currently are in. basically the raid gets corrupted when you have an accidental shut off, power outage or power spike. just break the raid and recreate it and you should be good to go.

 

[jrgeoffrion]

Thanks to all that responded.

Like JP, I fixed the problem simply by deleting the drive that was giving the error from the array and then just re-build. Since then, I haven't had a problem.

PS: My data is also backed up on two external drives.