RAID 1 array

[xxTurbonium]

I have a RAID 1 array on an Intel i875 chipset. I need to check whether the RAID 1 array is functioning properly or not (trying to narrow it down between a RAID issue, or Winamp/WMP issue).

Please help.

 

[Billb2]

Pretty much, if a RAID array boots, it's functioning OK.

What is your actual problem?

 

[xxTurbonium]

C: is my system drive
D: is my swap
E: is my RAID

This problem has been around ever since I reformatted (which is ironic, since my system was running 100% smooth prior to the reformat, despite it going on 2 years without one).

When I load a video in WMP, the system will often hang or freeze (WMP11). I downgraded to WMP9 and the problem remains.

Now, Winamp 5.x does the same thing. I will load my audio library, and as soon as I queue a file, it freezes.

Both videos and audio are stored on my RAID array. The RAID array also isn't showing up on the BIOS/bootup screen like it normally does (where it says "normal status" etc.).

If I ever manage to get myself out of a system hang (End Task + a little bit of luck), it's only partial. The system remains laggy. The E: drive (RAID) is also inaccessible at this point and trying to access it through Explorer freezes the computer with no return.

 

[Blazer]

bios settings

also its beyond me why you would use a raid setup outside an OS.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Originally posted by: blazer
bios settings

also its beyond me why you would use a raid setup outside an OS.

300GB+ of files I don't want to lose. You're thinking of RAID 0.

My BIOS settings yield nothing I can use.

 

[aka1nas]

The controller should have a RAID management utility. If the RAID is implemented on the chipset directly, than it would be an Intel utility.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Originally posted by: aka1nas
The controller should have a RAID management utility. If the RAID is implemented on the chipset directly, than it would be an Intel utility.

It does, I'm using Intel Application Accelerator RAID Edition (IAARE).

It says status normal etc. However, it lacks any actual "diagnostic/test" function, which would put my mind at ease.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: databird
I have a RAID 1 array on an Intel i875 chipset. I need to check whether the RAID 1 array is functioning properly or not (trying to narrow it down between a RAID issue, or Winamp/WMP issue).

Please help.

Ok I just read the manual on that and your right there doesnt seem to be any verification exposed (stupid stupid stupid). I just went thru this on a server that used an adaptec hw/sw assisted raid. One of the sata drives died and the symptoms were lockups and extreme slow downs when the rebuild hit the part of the drivein question.

Only think I can suggest is to pull a drive (hope its the bad one) and put a new drive in, rebuild the mirror. If that fails, swap the drive you pulled for the one you left and try again. This of course presumes one of the drives is bad.

Bill

 

[Blazer]

have you tested the drives with a performance utility, or tested with the manufactures utility?

http://www.simplisoftware.com/...dex.php?request=HdTach

 

[xxTurbonium]

Originally posted by: blazer
have you tested the drives with a performance utility, or tested with the manufactures utility?

http://www.simplisoftware.com/...dex.php?request=HdTach

Tried SeaTools actually, but it doesn't work on the RAID disks. It gives out some sort of error (it thinks its one disk or something).

 

[Blazer]

what about HD Tach, try that and use the online comparision.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Long test results were almost as fast as UDMA 6. I tried uploading, but some sort of error didn't let me (sigh).

 

[Blazer]

can you post a pic of the test results

 

[xxTurbonium]

http://img.photobucket.com/alb...d1_2x320gb_7200_10.jpg

RAID 1
2 x 320GB Seagate 7200.10

 

[Blazer]

i would say thats great, drives look to be preforming well.

 

[xxTurbonium]

Mechanically, yea. Doesn't show anything about the health of the RAID array itself afaik.

 

[Loop2kil]

I know this seems simple, but have you tried different drivers for the Raid Controller?
have you replaced any other hardware recently?

 

[Blazer]

i also use the 875 board with raid 0, i use the "Intel{R} Application Accelerator Raid Edition 3.5" application to monitor the health of the drives, version 3.5.5.6081.