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RN10400 - multiple failed disks or failed NAS hardware?
Using latest firmware and 4 WD Red 4TB HDDs in RAID5 configuration. NAS fell on its side (vacuuming accident) and overnight registered 2 failed disks and a dead drive. Am currently doing HD diagnosti...
Doug6392 wrote:
StephenB wrote:
Doug6392 wrote:
Tried rebooting with a known good HDD, and it rebooted into a legacy boot mode.Was this drive formatted? If it was, then the NAS might be fine.
Try the fast write-zero test in lifeguard - that will remove the partitions. Then put it back in the NAS and power it up, and see if you get a different result.
Impressive, StephenB ! I did as you suggested, and instead of booting into Legacy Mode, the NAS appears to be booting normally. I will go ahead and run the other tests as suggested (keeping my fingers crossed!) and post the result.
Thanks very much.
Final (hopefully!) update: after running through the tests suggest by Sandshark it appears that all drive bays are functioning properly. I added another old but still serviceable HDD (on which I first performed the quick erase as suggested by StephenB ), and on bootup the NAS is working to expand the existing JBOD. I can now go ahead with some confidence to begin to replace the failed HDDs. Thankfully, the last time I had a NAS hardware failure (2015, when I upgraded to my current NAS) I also learned the hard way that a NAS isn't a backup, so I have a complete backup of all the data lost in my sad vacuuming accident. :)
Many thanks again for your prompt and capable assistance.
Thanks. That's what I'm using to test the drives (in a dock), although it's painfully slow. I'm also running a memory test on the NAS at the same time; it should be finished first: I understand that if it doesn't finish in about 4 hours, then I may have my answer. (Hopefully they're not both borked! ;) )
Unfortunatly, the SATA backplane is also at risk, depending on what side of the NAS hit the ground. Here is your best test:
Using a known good drive (one of the old ones you've tested, or any you might have around), install just that drive and create a JBOD volume on it. (This will, of course, erase any data on the drive, but I think you realize your volume is alreay toast.) Then test it by adding a few files and accessing them. Or use a speed test program. Then power down, swap drive to the next bay, power up, and test again (you won't have to re-create the volume). Repeat for bays 3 and 4. Check the log for any signs of a problem (esp. mentions of ATA errors), and check the drive SMART, too.
It's not a comprehensive test, but any backplane damage isn't likely to propagate, so it's pretty good at finding anything.
Sandshark wrote:Unfortunatly, the SATA backplane is also at risk, depending on what side of the NAS hit the ground. Here is your best test:
Using a known good drive (one of the old ones you've tested, or any you might have around), install just that drive and create a JBOD volume on it. (This will, of course, erase any data on the drive, but I think you realize your volume is alreay toast.) Then test it by adding a few files and accessing them. Or use a speed test program. Then power down, swap drive to the next bay, power up, and test again (you won't have to re-create the volume). Repeat for bays 3 and 4. Check the log for any signs of a problem (esp. mentions of ATA errors), and check the drive SMART, too.
It's not a comprehensive test, but any backplane damage isn't likely to propagate, so it's pretty good at finding anything.
Thanks for what sounds like a great suggestion. Might be a day or 2 before I can try it but I will post the result as an update.
Doug6392 wrote:
Sandshark wrote:Unfortunatly, the SATA backplane is also at risk, depending on what side of the NAS hit the ground. Here is your best test:
Using a known good drive (one of the old ones you've tested, or any you might have around), install just that drive and create a JBOD volume on it. (This will, of course, erase any data on the drive, but I think you realize your volume is alreay toast.) Then test it by adding a few files and accessing them. Or use a speed test program. Then power down, swap drive to the next bay, power up, and test again (you won't have to re-create the volume). Repeat for bays 3 and 4. Check the log for any signs of a problem (esp. mentions of ATA errors), and check the drive SMART, too.
It's not a comprehensive test, but any backplane damage isn't likely to propagate, so it's pretty good at finding anything.
Thanks for what sounds like a great suggestion. Might be a day or 2 before I can try it but I will post the result as an update.
I tested all 4 HDDs using WD software - all failed the extended testing. I also let the memory test run on the RN104 for over 12 hours, at which point I powered the unit down. Tried rebooting with a known good HDD, and it rebooted into a legacy boot mode. I suspect that the NAS and all 4 HDDs are toast, and given that I was trying to vacuum the exhaust ports and intake area when the NAS fell onto its side, I am forced to dispute the adage that "cleanliness is next to godliness..." It now looks like I will cancel the order for new HDDs, and see how much of a replacement NAS I can afford. Unfortunately the RN104 is long end-of-life, and I'm not sure I can justify the cost of the new ones. Might be QNAP - their few-years-old models are similar in capabilities, and still affordable.
Tech's great when it works; otherwise, an expensive hobby!
Thanks for the help and very useful suggestions.
Doug6392 wrote:
Tried rebooting with a known good HDD, and it rebooted into a legacy boot mode.Was this drive formatted? If it was, then the NAS might be fine.
Try the fast write-zero test in lifeguard - that will remove the partitions. Then put it back in the NAS and power it up, and see if you get a different result.
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