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Forum Discussion
Disk Test Failure
I got a Disk Test Failure mail from my NAS (RN104, firmware 6.4.2): Disk test failed on disk in channel 2, model WDC_WD20EARX-00PASB0, serial WD-WMAZAYYYYXXX I'd like to know how severe my p...
But could the disk be dead? I would expect more bells and whistles for that to happen. My understanding is that there is a problem that could affect the performance of the disk, like to be able to recover 100% of the data in case it is needed. Am I right?
chuckster_l wrote:
But could the disk be dead? I would expect more bells and whistles for that to happen.
If it failed the self-test, then it needs to be replaced. The only other possibility is that there's an interface failure in the chassis (which is less likely). You can confirm the self-test failure by powering down, removing the drive and testing it in a Windows PC with the vendor diagnostics - Lifeguard in this case.
chuckster_l wrote:
My understanding is that there is a problem that could affect the performance of the disk, like to be able to recover 100% of the data in case it is needed. Am I right?
A normal XRAID array is already redundant, so there is no data loss when one disk fails. However, if a second disk fails then potentially all the data is lost. So it is important to take prompt action on disk failures.
I understand that, but I thought that if the disk was unusable, the ReadyNAS would give a more clear message and warnings.
The fail in the scheduled disk test gave me impression that it would be a warning that a fatal error have a higher chance of happening (some data loss) or closer to the time of complete failure (dead disk), given the below posts:
Disk Test Failure in ReadyNAS 314_6.5.1
and
If I hadn't scheduled the disk test, or scheduled at greater intervals, would my data be at risk of total loss?
For me it is clear that I need to replace that disk, but I wanted to understand how serious the failure was so I can assess the time frame for my actions. The log wasn't very clean on the identification, unless the infomation was somewhere else in the logs.
Cheers,
Charles
chuckster_l wrote:
For me it is clear that I need to replace that disk, but I wanted to understand how serious the failure was so I can assess the time frame for my actions.
Does the web ui say the volume is degraded? Is the disk flagged as failed on the volume page?
chuckster_l wrote:
If I hadn't scheduled the disk test, or scheduled at greater intervals, would my data be at risk of total loss?
The NAS is running a short SMART test daily, and any read/write request would likely have failed. So my guess is that you would have been notified even w/o the scheduled maintenance.
However, one reason to use the scheduled maintenance is to get timely notifications is something is wrong. So its good you ran it.
As far as "data at risk of total loss" goes, that ship has sailed. Your data is definitely at risk.
The web interface seems just fine to me. Below are the screenshots. And the notification I got was just from the scheduled test.
So maybe the failure is not too relevant for the NAS at the moment or it's own routine diagnostics is not picking it up.
One other poster is seeing a similar report: https://community.netgear.com/t5/Using-your-ReadyNAS/RN516-can-no-longer-save-to-or-access-iSCSI/m-p/1168392/highlight/true#M119350
That makes me also wonder if it's a false report. If it were my system, I'd test the disk off-line in a PC just to be sure.
Yes Stephen, I'm freeing up an external HD for backup prior to removing the problematic disk and run a test on my desktop. When I complete this task I'll let you know the results.
Cheers.
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Regards,You are on the ball Stephen :)
I ran the off-line test (Western Digital LifeGard Diagnostics) in my desktop on the problematic disk and it passed everything. See screenshots below:
So my understanding is that is was a false report and my hard disk is fine (if anybody has a different opinion, please let me know). My question now is, how should I take the ReadyNAS disk test reports in the future. My current feeling is that I should wait for the SMART report to have some evidence of performance degration past the threshod value (or close to it), to conclude that the disk is close to failure and to replace it imediately.
I'd like to know the opinion of the wise guys for the result that I got. :)
chuckster_l wrote:
So my understanding is that is was a false report and my hard disk is fine (if anybody has a different opinion, please let me know).
Looks like it. I suggest doing the destructive write-zeros test. The "quick" one will unformat the disk, which will result in the NAS adding it back to the array/resyncing.
The full test will also give you some added confirmation that the drive is healthy (I have seen some drives pass the non-destructive test, but fail the write test).
chuckster_l wrote:
My question now is, how should I take the ReadyNAS disk test reports in the future. ...I'd like to know the opinion of the wise guys for the result that I got. :)
Me too :smileysurprised:
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