Raid issues...

[HeXploiT]

So i just installed my first hardware raid array (raid 1) using a couple of maxtor 300gb satas and i think i might be having some issues.
When i boot the machine i get a message that says "Raid 1 set is at critical status".
Everything else seems fine but my silicon image software under the "members" tab says that of the 2 drives, channel 1 is dropped and channel 2 is sync.
Does dropped mean that drive has an issue?
What's going on here?
Motherboard is a Gigabyte k8ns Pro with a SIL 3512CT128 sata 150 controller.

Need some help and also if anyone can suggest some decent software for testing/monitoring the array i would appreciate it.

 

[Matthias99]

The controller (or the monitoring software) should have documentation that describes what the error means. The wording is often different from brand to brand... although it sounds like one of the drives is having a problem. Usually when you set up a RAID1 it syncs the disks, but maybe on this controller you have to do that separately? Did it do a really lengthy copy/format operation when you set up the array? If not, you may need to do that manually.

There should be an option in the management software to resync or repair the RAID1 from the good drive, assuming the 'dropped' drive is now functional again.

As far as "testing" it... you can "test" it just like any conventional hard drive (using disk scan utilities).

 

[HeXploiT]

No there was no format involved. Setting up the raid took the blink of an eye and the only format i did was a quick format during the xp install. Is it possible that i'm actually only running on one drive? How can i tell?

I tried repairing with my current raid software that's contained within the bios but it says no drives to rebuild even though both drives are visible.

Also yeah i can run scandisk or whatever but with a raid1 how do i know it's not just testing one drive?

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Perry404
No there was no format involved. Setting up the raid took the blink of an eye and the only format i did was a quick format during the xp install. Is it possible that i'm actually only running on one drive? How can i tell?

If it took "the blink of an eye", you might need to manually sync the array. The instructions for setting it up should have said what to do.

The RAID controller's software should tell you all this kind of stuff. Sorry, best I can say is "consult the documentation".

I tried repairing with my current raid software that's contained within the bios but it says no drives to rebuild even though both drives are visible.

Is there a Windows-based client? Does the BIOS show the RAID1 array? Does it show as failed?

Also yeah i can run scandisk or whatever but with a raid1 how do i know it's not just testing one drive?

You'd have to check the status of the array in the controller's software. Usually there is an option to verify that both mirrors of a RAID1 have the same data (though it will take a long time on a large array).

 

[HeXploiT]

According to the bios everything is fine. Now, according to my windows silicone image software, both drives say sync but upon boot i still get the message "Raid 1 set is at critical status".
There is literally nothing in any of my gigabyte motherboard manuals/raid manuals that tell me a damn thing about any of this. So my question is how in the heck do i know i'm not just running off one drive? There has GOT to be some third party software out there that can help me here. Sofar i've found nothing while browsing through zdnet and and download.com. This sucks.

 

[AMCRambler]

Originally posted by: Perry404
According to the bios everything is fine. Now, according to my windows silicone image software, both drives say sync but upon boot i still get the message "Raid 1 set is at critical status".
There is literally nothing in any of my gigabyte motherboard manuals/raid manuals that tell me a damn thing about any of this. So my question is how in the heck do i know i'm not just running off one drive? There has GOT to be some third party software out there that can help me here. Sofar i've found nothing while browsing through zdnet and and download.com. This sucks.

Raid 1 is disk mirroring. Unplug one of the drives and boot the machine. If XP loads, that drive has the image on it. Then shut down and do the same thing with the other drive to make sure it has an image on it. And RTFM noob.